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Can you believe it’s been 30 years since Purple Rain? You, my friend, are getting old while the anti-aging enigma that is Prince is still looking as young and fresh as that fierce afro of his.

The 55-year-old is rockin’ out on the cover of Essence, and he’s back like he’s never left, just in time to headline the magazine’s annual music festival in New Orleans on July 4. You’re in for one sexy summer, especially since His Royal Badness is set to re-release his classic album later this year, but first, you should know that the Dirty Mind singer is cleaning up his act. Or his lyrics, at least. In the cover story, Prince shares that he’s sworn off swearing. Keep on reading to find out why.

On a reunion with The Revolution:

“I’m not putting down The Revolution, even though people would love to see us together again. I owe a great debt to them. But I’m doing something else…”

On his issue with record execs:

“Every time I talk to the heads of large companies, they’re always at the beach,” said Prince. “Middle of the afternoon. What are you doing? ‘Oh, I’m at the beach with my kids.’ So we’re working to send their kids to college. And to the beach. We’re not supposed to accept that.”

On why he’s done with dirty words:

“Did you ever hear Muhammad Ali curse?” he said. “Would you curse in front of your kids? To your mother? Marsha [Ambrosius], Lianne [La Havas], Janelle [Monae] … They’re all my sisters. We shouldn’t curse at them. We need to treat all of them, and all people, like royalty.” 

On his new studio album:

“A brand new studio album is on the way and both Warner Bros. Records and Eye are quite pleased with the results of the negotiations and look forward to a fruitful working relationship.”

Be sure to read the rest of his interview when it hits stands May 9.

PHOTO CREDIT: Essence