2015 September 7: HitnRun Era

The 2015 Paisley Park remastered vinyl LP edition of Prince and the Revolution’s landmark 1984 album Purple Rain, released on June 23, 2017 as part of the deluxe anniversary campaign, featuring the original 1984 packaging with updated remastered audio overseen by Prince. RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Prince and the Revolution Title: Purple Rain Date: June 23, 2017 (remastered reissue) – Original release: June 25, 1984 Label: Warner Bros. Records / NPG Records Format /

Hitnrun Phase One (stylized as HITnRUN Phase One) is Prince’s 38th studio album, a sleek, modern funk and R&B release that was initially a Tidal exclusive before a surprise CD and digital rollout. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: NPG Records Format: Digital (Tidal exclusive), CD, Download (LP reissue in 2026) Country: Worldwide Released: 7 September 2015 (Tidal) / 14 September 2015 (CD & Download) Genre: Funk, R&B, Pop, Electronic Length: 37:53 THE STORY A concise, groov

Hitnrun Phase Two (stylized as HITnRUN Phase Two) is Prince’s 39th and final studio album released during his lifetime. A rich, eclectic collection of funk, soul, and rock, it arrived just four months before his passing and served as a powerful closing statement. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: NPG Records Format: Digital (Tidal / iTunes), CD Country: Worldwide Released: 12 December 2015 (Tidal) / 15 December 2015 (iTunes) / 21 January 2016 (CD at Paisley Park) / 29 Apr

A joyful, ecstatic ballad remix that reimagined a track from Art Official Age as the surprise lead single for HitNRun Phase One, “This Could B Us” was released just ten days before the album dropped, with a striking cover referencing the iconic Purple Rain motorcycle scene. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: NPG Records / JBPR (promo) Date: September 7, 2015 Catalogue: None (promo only) Format: Promo CD Single Country: United Kingdom Genre: Pop / Ballad / Funk Style: Ecsta

A moody, explosive slab of Kanye-esque martial funk that marked Prince’s surprise return in the summer of 2015, “Hardrocklover” was released as the second single from the then-unannounced HitNRun Phase One. Artist: Prince Label: NPG Records / JBPR (promo) Date: July 7, 2015 Catalogue: None (promo only) Format: Promo CD Single Country: United Kingdom Genre: Funk / Rock Style: Martial funk, experimental pop A-Side: “Hardrocklover” Written by: Prince and Joshua Welton Produced b

Prince: (July 1, 2015) Hardrocklover - Single Release Release Date: July 1, 2015 Platform: Prince3EG SoundCloud account (later added to Tidal) Album Context: Eighth track on Hitnrun Phase One (Prince’s 38th album) Release Context Recording & Production Details Hardrocklover was released as the second single from Hitnrun Phase One, ten weeks before the full album dropped. At the time of release, no album was officially announced, and it was later retroactively positioned as th

The June 21, 2015 edition of The Austin Daily Herald reports that Prince performed some of his greatest hits at a weekend White House party for President Barack Obama, though the White House would not officially confirm his attendance. Publication: The Austin Daily Herald Date: June 21, 2015 Country: United States Location: Austin, Minnesota Section: News (AP Wire) THE STORY The article notes that Prince played for Obama and his wife Michelle, with guests sharing details on

Baltimore is a stand-alone digital single by Prince, released in direct response to the death of Freddie Gray and the civil unrest in Baltimore. It later appeared on his album Hitnrun Phase Two. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: NPG Records / 3EG Format: Digital Single (iTunes) Country: Worldwide Released: May 26, 2015 Genre: Soul, Pop, Funk, Protest Song THE STORY A powerful, socially conscious track addressing injustice, unity, and the need to “fight the good fight.” Th

Prince3EG SoundCloud release of Baltimore, Recording Details Initial Recording: 30 April 2015, Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota Live Cut: 29 April 2015, Paisley Park Soundstage (Prince & 3rdEyeGirl with Joshua Welton) Studio A Version: Prince solo, all instruments Mixing Engineer: Dylan Dreslow Additional Vocals: Eryn Allen Kane Production: Prince / Joshua Welton Release Context The SoundCloud stream was accompanied by a detailed statement describing the song’s cre