Prince (January 17, 1980) – Cash Box R&B Charts: Prince Rising

Cash Box magazine charts published in the Daily News show strong early national momentum for Prince: his single “I Wanna Be Your Lover” holds at #3 on the R&B Singles chart, while his self-titled album sits at #3 on the R&B Albums chart.

Publication: Daily News (New York) Date: Thursday, January 17, 1980 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Cash Box Charts

THE STORY

• R&B Singles:

  1. Michael Jackson – “Rock With You”

  2. Rufus & Chaka Khan – “Do You Love What You Feel” 3. Prince – “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (Warner Bros.)

• R&B Albums:

  1. Michael Jackson – Off the Wall

  2. Rufus & Chaka Khan – Masterjam 3. Prince – Prince (Warner Bros.)

  3. 
     

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This snapshot from mid-January 1980 captures Prince’s breakthrough moment as his debut Warner Bros. album and lead single climbed the R&B charts. At just 21 years old, he was already charting alongside established giants like Michael Jackson, Rufus & Chaka Khan, and Stevie Wonder — a clear sign of his rapid ascent in the R&B/funk scene.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: National chart performance (Cash Box)

Era: Early Prince career (Prince album / “I Wanna Be Your Lover” era)

Tone: Pure chart data with no additional commentary

Photography: None Visual Motifs: Classic 1980s music industry chart layout

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Prince’s single and album both sitting comfortably in the Top 3 of the R&B charts

• Early commercial validation of his Warner Bros. debut

• Context of the competitive 1979–1980 R&B landscape

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RELATED MATERIAL This chart performance aligns with Prince’s January 4–5, 1980 shows opening for Kool & The Gang in California and the upcoming February Orpheum Theatre hometown dates in Minneapolis.

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