📰HitnRun Phase One – Album Released On Vinyl For The First Time
- Escape
- Jan 30
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 14
Prince’s late‑period studio experiment finally arrives on vinyl — a decade after its digital debut and years after its cult status solidified
✦SUMMARY
HitNRun Phase One received its first‑ever vinyl release on 30 January 2026, marking a major moment for collectors and fans of Prince’s late‑career output. Originally issued exclusively on Tidal on 7 September 2015, and then on CD via NPG Records on 15 September 2015, the album was part of Prince’s digital‑forward strategy during the mid‑2010s. Its vinyl debut brings renewed attention to a project that blended pop, funk, EDM textures and collaborative energy.
The album’s title was initially reported as The Hit & Run Album before Prince’s team confirmed the final name: Hit n Run Phase One. It was followed by Hit n Run Phase Two later in 2015, but Phase One stands apart for its experimental production, guest features and reimagined versions of earlier Prince material.
Critical reception at the time was mixed, with reviewers divided over its stylistic shifts and digital sheen. Over time, however, the album has gained appreciation as a snapshot of Prince’s restless creativity during his final years.
✦ HIGHLIGHTS
• First‑ever vinyl release: 30 January 2026
• Originally released on Tidal: 7 September 2015
• CD release via NPG Records: 15 September 2015
• Title confirmed as Hit n Run Phase One
• Mixed critical reception (Metacritic score: 53)
• Features Judith Hill, Rita Ora, Curly Fryz, Lianne La Havas and 3RDEYEGIRL
• Includes reworked elements of classic Prince tracks
✦ TRACKLISTING & CREDITS
Side One
Million $ Show
Arranged By (Horns), Producer (Horns), Recorded By (Horns): Michael B. Nelson
Arranged By (Strings): Adi Yeshaya
Featuring: Judith Hill
Horns: The Hornheads
Recorded By (Strings): Rob Genadek
Strings: Stringenius
Shut This Down
Ain’t About 2 Stop
Backing Vocals: 3RDEYEGIRL
Featuring: Rita Ora
Lead Guitar: Donna Grantis
Like A Mack
Featuring: Curly Fryz
Horns: NPG Hornz
Horns (NPG Hornz): Joey Rayfield, Keith Anderson, Lynn Grisset, Marcus Anderson
This Could B Us
Side Two
Fallinlove2nite
Arranged By (Horns), Producer (Horns), Recorded By (Horns): Michael B. Nelson
Arranged By (Strings): Adi Yeshaya
Horns: The Hornheads
Recorded By (Strings): Rob Genadek
Strings: Stringenius
X’s Face
Hardrocklover
Mr. Nelson
Featuring: Lianne La Havas
1000 X’s & O’s
June
✦ NOTES
• Million $ Show incorporates elements of earlier Prince songs: For You (1978), 1999 (1982) and Let’s Go Crazy (1984).
• 1000 X’s & O’s is listed as 1000’s of X’s & O’s on the CD edition.
✦ CRITICAL RECEPTION
Hit n Run Phase One received mixed reviews upon release. Metacritic assigned the album a score of 53 based on 16 mainstream reviews, reflecting divided opinions on its digital production style and experimental structure. Over time, the album has been reassessed as a bold, transitional work showcasing Prince’s late‑period curiosity and collaborative spirit.
✦ SOURCES
Album release documentation
Label archives
Wikipedia
Discogs
Collector and marketplace references
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