Prince O(+> (February 2, 1999) 1999 (The New Master) - Single 12"/CD US
- GlamSlamEscape
- Feb 2, 1999
- 2 min read
A millennium-timed reimagining of a classic, rebuilt with NPG family fire.
RELEASE DETAILS
Date: February 2, 1999
Catalogue: 7-85337-19991-6 (12") / 7-85337-19992-3 (CD)
Format: 12" Vinyl (Purple), CD Single
Country: United States
Label: NPG Records
A-Side: 1999 (The New Master)
THE STORY
Released on February 2, 1999 on NPG Records, 1999 (The New Master) is a complete re-recording of Prince’s 1982 classic. Featuring new vocals and instrumentation with guest appearances from Rosie Gaines, Larry Graham, and Doug E. Fresh, this version was issued just weeks after Warner Bros. re-released the original. The single includes multiple remixes ranging from deep house to hip-hop influenced takes.
CONTEXT & NOTES
This release represents Prince O(+>’s independent era drive to reclaim and reinvent his catalogue. Without major label support or a music video, it still managed modest chart placement and stands as a creative statement heading into the new millennium.
TRACK LIST
US 12" Vinyl (Purple, 7-85337-19991-6)
Side A
1999 (The New Master) – 7:09
Rosario (1999) – 1:19
1999 (The Inevitable Mix) – 5:46
1999 (Keep Steppin’) – 4:33
Side B
1999 (Rosie & Doug E. In A Deep House) – 6:23
1999 (The New Master: Single Edit) – 4:30
1999 (Acapella) – 5:11
US CD Single (7-85337-19992-3)
1999 (The New Master) – 7:09
Rosario (1999) – 1:19
1999 (The Inevitable Mix) – 5:46
1999 (Keep Steppin’) – 4:33
1999 (Rosie & Doug E. In A Deep House) – 6:23
1999 (The New Master) (Single Edit) – 4:30
1999 (Acapella) – 5:11
All Variants
12" Commercial Vinyl – Purple (NPG 7-85337-19991-6)
CD Single (NPG 7-85337-19992-3)
12" Promo Vinyl
CHART PERFORMANCE
Billboard 200: Peak No. 150
Billboard Top R&B Albums: Peak No. 58
PERSONNEL
Prince O(+> – vocals, instruments, production, arrangement
Rosie Gaines – vocals
Larry Graham – bass
Doug E. Fresh – beatbox / rap
PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS
Front sleeve: Futuristic collage with band photos and cybernetic imagery
Back sleeve: Tracklist with NPG family credits
WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS
Distinctive purple-themed design with “THE NEW MASTER” and “PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION” branding.
RELATED MATERIAL
U Make My Sun Shine (with Angie Stone) (2000)
When Will We B Paid? (with Audio Stepchild) (2000)
Supercute (2001)
The Work, pt. 1 (2001)
SOURCES Prince Vault • Discogs • Billboard charts
COPYRIGHT NOTICE All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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