✦ Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic – Album: 1999

✦ A Pop‑R&B Guest Star Spectacle

Prince’s late‑’90s crossover odyssey — a glossy, star‑studded fusion of pop, R&B, hip‑hop, and funk featuring some of the era’s most distinctive voices

✦ Summary

Released November 9, 1999, Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic marked Prince’s return to a major‑label platform via Arista Records and his most collaboration‑heavy project to date. Arriving at the end of the millennium — and during his “Love Symbol” period — the album positioned Prince as both auteur and curator, blending his signature musicality with high‑profile guest appearances from Gwen Stefani, Sheryl Crow, Eve, Ani DiFranco, and Maceo Parker.

Built around sleek production, radio‑ready hooks, and genre‑blurring arrangements, Rave reflects Prince’s desire to re‑engage the mainstream while experimenting with new textures. The album later spawned a companion remix project, Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic (2001), originally exclusive to the NPG Music Club.

A bold, collaborative snapshot of Prince at the turn of the millennium — extroverted, eclectic, and unafraid to share the spotlight.

✦ Highlights

• Released Nov. 9, 1999 (Worldwide)

• Prince’s most guest‑driven studio album

• Features Gwen Stefani, Sheryl Crow, Eve, Ani DiFranco & Maceo Parker

• Released on Arista Records during the “Love Symbol” era

• Companion remix album Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic issued in 2001

• Supported by the televised special Rave Un2 the Year 2000

✦ Track Details

CD / Digital – 1999 (Arista Records)

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic — 5:02

Undisputed (feat. Chuck D) — 4:20

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold — 5:29

Segue — 0:18

Hot Wit U (feat. Eve) — 5:11

Tangerine — 1:30

So Far, So Pleased (feat. Gwen Stefani) — 3:24

The Sun, The Moon And Stars — 5:17

Everyday Is A Winding Road (feat. Sheryl Crow) — 6:16

Segue — 0:15

Man’O’War — 5:14

Baby Knows (feat. Sheryl Crow) — 3:18

I Love U, But I Don’t Trust U Anymore (feat. Ani DiFranco) — 3:33

Silly Game — 3:30

Strange But True — 4:13

Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do — 3:17

Segue — 0:12

Prettyman (feat. Maceo Parker) — 4:25

✦ Reissues & Global Variants

• CD – Arista Records — Worldwide, 1999

• Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic (Remix Album) — NPG Music Club, 2001

• Rave Un2 the Year 2000 (Concert Special) — 1999/2000

• Ultimate Rave 2CD+DVD — Legacy, Worldwide, 2019

✦ Production and Context

• Recorded 1998–1999 at Paisley Park

• Heavy emphasis on collaborations and mainstream accessibility

• Marks Prince’s brief partnership with Clive Davis and Arista

• Companion remix album reflects Prince’s club‑driven experimentation

• Era culminates in the televised Rave Un2 the Year 2000 concert

✦ Singles Released

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold

So Far, So Pleased (promo)

Hot Wit U (promo)

✦ Chart Performance

• US Billboard 200 — Top 20

• UK Albums Chart — Top 50

• Various international chart placements

✦ Discography Sidebar

Rave Era Releases:

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic — 1999

Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic — 2001

Rave Un2 the Year 2000 (Video) — 1999/2000

Ultimate Rave (Reissue Set) — 201

✦ Prince Era Mini‑Timeline

1998–1999 — Recording sessions at Paisley Park

Nov. 9, 1999 — Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic released

Dec. 1999 — Rave Un2 the Year 2000 concert filmed

2001 — Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic issued via NPGMC

2019 — Ultimate Rave reissue

✦ Glam Flashback

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic captures Prince at a crossroads — embracing the collaborative spirit of late‑’90s pop while maintaining his unmistakable musical identity. The guest features aren’t mere adornments; they’re sparks that ignite new textures, from Gwen Stefani’s alt‑pop edge to Eve’s sharp verses and Maceo Parker’s legendary funk phrasing. The album’s glossy production and genre‑mixing ambition reflect Prince’s desire to reassert himself in the mainstream without sacrificing experimentation.

A vibrant, star‑powered chapter in Prince’s catalogue — playful, polished, and full of millennium‑era swagger.

✦ Image & Artwork Copyright Notice

All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed in this post remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles. No ownership is claimed, and all rights belong to the original creators, photographers, designers, and publishers.

✦ Sources

Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History, YouTube