"I Wanna Be Your Lover" is the lead single from Prince’s self-titled second album Prince. The UK release featured "Just As Long As We’re Together" as the B-side and helped introduce Prince to British audiences. RELEASE DETAILS Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: UK Released: 14 December 1979 Genre: Funk, R&B, Disco Length: 2:57 (Edit) A-Side: I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) B-Side: Just As Long As We’re Together (Edit) (3:25) Catalogue #: UK: K 17537 THE STORY A catchy, upbeat funk-disco track with infectious hooks, lush synths, and Prince’s signature falsetto vocals. The UK B-side is an edited version of the smooth ballad from his debut album For You. CONTEXT & NOTES This UK 7" single was released in a generic Warner Bros. company bag. It entered the UK Singles Chart on 19 January 1980, peaking at No. 41 and spending 3 weeks on the chart. A contemporary review in Blues & Soul magazine (issue 293, 18 Dec 1979) gave it a strong rating of 5, praising Prince’s multi-instrumental talent and describing the song as a fine example of contemporary soul with convincing falsetto and danceable backing.. International Variants (1979) Italy – Warner Bros. – 1979 PACKAGING & VISUALS Standard UK Warner Bros. company sleeve (generic bag). The center label features the classic WB design with "Made in UK" text and full production credits. PERSONNEL Prince — all vocals and instruments, producer, arranger CHARTS (UK) UK Singles Chart (BMRB) — Peak: 41 Chart run (3 weeks): 19/01/1980: #44 26/01/1980: #41 (peak) 02/02/1980: #51 SOURCES Prince Vault, Warner Bros. UK single label, Blues & Soul magazine review (Dec 1979), Official UK Charts Company. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All images, recordings, 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.

Prince’s early Minneapolis groove gets its first standalone spotlight RELEASE DETAILS Date: November 21, 1978 Catalogue: WBS 8713 Format: 7" Single Country: United States / Canada A-Side: “Just As Long As We’re Together” (Edit) Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “In Love” THE STORY The second single from Prince’s debut album For You, “Just As Long As We’re Together” was released exclusively in the US market. It features a special 3:25 edit unique to this single release. The B-side “In Love” was taken directly from the album. Promotional versions included mono/stereo edits on 7" and a rare extended disco mix on 12". CONTEXT & NOTES Released during the promotional campaign for For You, this single highlighted Prince’s emerging self-contained genius as a 20-year-old multi-instrumentalist, writer, and producer. While it performed modestly on the charts, the promotional 12" disco mix is now highly sought after by collectors as one of the earliest examples of Prince experimenting with extended mixes. TRACK LIST US 7" Single (WBS 8713) A. Just As Long As We’re Together (Edit) – 3:25 B. In Love – 3:38 US 7" Promo (WBS 8713) A. Just As Long As We’re Together (Edit) (Mono) – 3:25 B. Just As Long As We’re Together (Edit) (Stereo) – 3:25 US 12" Promo (PRO-A-741) A. Just As Long As We’re Together (Disco Mix) – 6:29 B. Soft and Wet (Disco Mix) – 3:02 CHART PERFORMANCE US Billboard Hot Soul Singles: #91 Weeks on Chart: 7 US Billboard Hot 100: Did not chart PERSONNEL Prince – All instruments, vocals, writing, production PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS Standard Warner Bros. company sleeve (US) Promotional copies often with custom stickers or labels SOURCES Prince Vault • Sleevographia2 • Discogs • 45cat • Billboard chart archives • Warner Bros. release documentation WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS Typical late-1970s Warner Bros. single sleeve with purple and white branding, featuring the track listing and catalogue number. Promotional copies often included “Not For Sale” markings. RELATED MATERIAL For You (1978) – Debut Album “Soft and Wet” – First Single from For You 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.

"Just As Long As We're Together" (Disco Mix) is a promotional 12" single featuring extended disco mixes of tracks from Prince’s debut album For You. It was released as a special DJ tool to support the early singles. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 12" Vinyl Single, Promo Country: USA Released: November 21, 1978 Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop Style: Funk, Disco A-Side: Just As Long As We're Together (Disco Mix) — 6:29 B-Side: Soft And Wet (Disco Mix) — 3:02 Catalogue #: US: PRO-A-741 THE STORY This promotional release features extended disco remixes aimed at club DJs. The A-side extends the upbeat “Just As Long As We're Together,” while the B-side offers a dancefloor version of the earlier single “Soft And Wet.” CONTEXT & NOTES This was one of the earliest 12" promo releases for Prince, highlighting the growing disco influence in his early sound. Mixed by Jim Burgess and remix engineered by Michael Hutchinson, it was intended for promotional and club play only. It comes in a generic Warner Bros. “DISCO” die-cut sleeve. PACKAGING & VISUALS Generic company sleeve with die-cut center hole featuring the classic 1976 “DISCO” design. The label credits Prince as producer, arranger, and performer, with Tommy Vicari as executive producer. PERSONNEL Prince — producer, arranger, performer, all vocals and instruments Jim Burgess — mixing Michael Hutchinson — remix engineer CHARTS Not eligible for chart impact as a promotional-only release. SOURCES Prince Vault, Warner Bros. Records single labels, Billboard charts (1979–1980), RIAA certification. 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.

"Still Waiting" is the third single from Prince’s self-titled second album Prince. It was his first ballad released as a single. A-Side: Still Waiting (Edit) (3:48) Catalogue #: US: WBS 49226 RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: USA Released: 25 March 1980 Genre: Funk, R&B A-Side: Still Waiting (Edit) (3:48) B-Side: Bambi (4:22) Catalogue #: US: WBS 49226 US Variants (Full Track Listings) 7" Commercial Single (WBS 49226) A. Still Waiting (Edit) (3:48) B. Bambi (4:22) 7" Promo Single (WBS 49226) A. Still Waiting (Mono) (3:48) B. Still Waiting (3:48) 12" Promo Single (PRO-A-870) A1. Still Waiting (4:12) A2. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:48) B. Sexy Dancer (4:18) B-Side: Bambi (4:22) Catalogue #: US: WBS 49226 12" Promo Single (PRO-A-870) A1. Still Waiting (4:12) A2. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:48) 12" Promo Single (PRO-A-870) B. Sexy Dancer (4:18) International Variants (1980) New Zealand – Warner Bros. – 1980 (WBS 49226) A. Still Waiting (4:24) B. Bambi (4:22) International Variants (1980) Barbados – Warner Bros. – 1980 (WBS 49226) A. Still Waiting (Edit) B. Bambi CONTEXT & NOTES The song is a more traditional R&B ballad, speaking from the perspective of a young man who has not yet found love but yearns for it. It is mainly piano, acoustic guitar, and synth-based. It was often played live with extended instrumental solos and audience teasing. The song was later covered by Rainy Davis in 1987 (reaching #41 on the R&B chart) and by British duo Dorothy in 1988 (peaking at #81 on the UK Singles Chart). PERSONNEL Prince — lead and backing vocals, piano, Minimoog, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums CHARTS (USA) Billboard Hot Soul Singles — Peak: 65 SOURCES Prince Vault, Warner Bros. US 7" & 12" Promo labels (WBS 49226 / PRO-A-870), 45cat, Billboard charts, Benoît Clerc & Guitarcloud. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All images, recordings, 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.

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 April 2016 (worldwide retail) Genre: Funk, R&B, Rock, Soul Length: 58:00 THE STORY A diverse and expansive album mixing new material with reworked older tracks. Highlights include the socially conscious “Baltimore,” the groovy “Rocknroll Loveaffair,” the epic “Groovy Potential,” the powerful “Revelation,” and the sprawling “Big City.” CONTEXT & NOTES Released as a follow-up to Hitnrun Phase One, it was initially bundled on Tidal before wider digital and physical availability. Many tracks originated from sessions spanning 2010–2015. The album received a major retail push shortly after Prince’s death in April 2016, leading to renewed chart success. It is the final Prince studio album issued while he was alive. TRACK LISTING (CD / Digital) Baltimore — 4:33 Rocknroll Loveaffair — 4:01 2 Y. 2 D. — 3:50 Look At Me, Look At U — 3:27 Stare — 3:45 Xtraloveable — 5:00 Groovy Potential — 6:16 When She Comes — 3:45 Screwdriver — 4:15 Black Muse — 7:21 (includes unlisted “1000 Light Years From Here”) Revelation — 5:21 Big City — 6:26 Total Length: 58:00 SINGLES Baltimore Rock And Roll Love Affair Screwdriver Extraloveable (Xtraloveable) PACKAGING & VISUALS The striking minimalist cover (as shown) features a stylized illustration of Prince with a large afro, signature sunglasses, and bold typography against a warm, geometric background — maintaining the strong graphic identity of the Hitnrun series. PERSONNEL Key Contributors Prince — all vocals and instruments (except where noted) John Blackwell — drums (multiple tracks) Ida Nielsen — bass NPG Hornz (Marcus Anderson, Keith Anderson, Lynn Grissett, etc.) — horns Eryn Allen Kane — vocals on “Baltimore” Shelby J., Elisa Dease, Liv Warfield — background vocals Ledisi — background vocals on “Big City” Production Prince — producer, arranger, engineer Dylan Dreslow, Chris James, Justin Stanley, Booker T. — engineers Michael B. Nelson — horn & string arrangements Martin Homent — cover illustration Karrah Kobus — photography CHARTS (Selected Highlights) USA Billboard 200 — Peak: 40 (post-release re-entry) Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums — Peak: 3 Billboard R&B Albums — Peak: 3 Europe & International Strong entries in Germany, Belgium, UK, Portugal, and others. SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography, Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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 refer

The Slaughterhouse (subtitled Trax from the NPG Music Club Volume 2) is Prince’s thirtieth studio album / compilation. Released simultaneously with The Chocolate Invasion, it gathers previously unreleased and club-exclusive tracks from 2000–2002. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: NPG Records Format: Digital Download (mp3 / WMA) Country: Worldwide Released: March 29, 2004 (NPG Music Club) Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop Length: 55:02 THE STORY A raw, high-energy collection of funk, rock, and experimental tracks. Standouts include the opening “Silicon,” the groove-heavy “S&M Groove,” and the socially conscious “Peace.” CONTEXT & NOTES This was the second of two club-exclusive albums released on the same day. Most tracks were originally offered individually via the NPG Music Club. The 2015 Tidal reissue used a slightly different configuration. Both The Chocolate Invasion and The Slaughterhouse were planned as part of an abandoned 7CD set. TRACK LISTING (2004 Original Digital Release) Silicon — 4:15 S&M Groove — 5:08 Y Should Do That When Can Do This? — 4:31 Golden Parachute — 5:36 Hypnoparadise — 6:03 Props N’ Pounds — 4:36 Northside — 6:34 Peace — 5:33 2045: Radical Man — 6:35 The Daisy Chain — 6:15 SINGLES RELEASED Peace (b/w 2045: Radical Man) – Sold at concerts in 2001 The Daisy Chain (b/w Gamillah) – Sold at concerts / Celebration 2001 PERSONNEL Musicians Prince — all vocals and instruments (except where noted) ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND Marva King — vocals Michael B. — drums NPG Hornz — horns Larry Graham — bass, co-lead vocals DVS — rap Kip Blackshire — background vocals Kurt Loder — sampled dialogue Production Prince — producer, arranger, engineer Sam Jennings — executive producer PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS Digital-only release (no official physical CD at launch) Striking cover artwork featuring a model in a black leather outfit with a gun (as shown) 2015 Tidal reissue used updated artwork CHARTS Not eligible for mainstream charts (club download only). SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography, Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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

The Very Best Of Prince is a career-spanning compilation focusing on Prince’s Warner Bros. era hits from 1979 to 1991. Released in 2001, it became one of his most successful compilations and a popular entry point for new fans. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Catalogue: 9362-47975-2 Format: CD Country: Worldwide Released: May 21, 2001 (UK) / July 31, 2001 (USA) Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop Length: 73:18 THE STORY This 17-track compilation presents Prince’s biggest singles in chronological order, showcasing his evolution from the late 1970s through the early 1990s. It includes iconic tracks like “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain,” “Kiss,” and “Cream.” CONTEXT & NOTES Released eight years after The Hits/The B-Sides, this set focused exclusively on Warner Bros. material. Prince was reportedly unhappy with the release as he was negotiating his own greatest hits project (A Celebration), which was ultimately scrapped. The album performed strongly in Europe and has been certified multi-platinum in several territories. TRACK LISTING (2001 Original CD) I Wanna Be Your Lover — 2:57 1999 — 3:35 Little Red Corvette — 4:58 When Doves Cry — 3:49 Let’s Go Crazy — 4:39 Purple Rain — 8:45 I Would Die 4 U — 2:57 Raspberry Beret — 3:31 Kiss — 3:46 Sign O’ The Times — 3:44 U Got The Look — 3:58 Alphabet St. — 5:38 Thieves In The Temple — 3:19 Gett Off — 4:27 Cream — 4:12 Diamonds And Pearls — 4:20 Money Don’t Matter 2 Night — 4:48 Total Length: 73:18 PERSONNEL Musicians Prince — all vocals and instruments on most tracks (except where noted) ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND The Revolution (various tracks): Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brown Mark, Bobby Z., Dr. Fink, Dez Dickerson The New Power Generation (later tracks): Rosie Gaines, Tony M., Levi Seacer Jr., Sonny T., Tommy Barbarella, Michael B. Other Contributors Sheena Easton, Sheila E., Eric Leeds, and many more across the compiled tracks. Production Prince — producer, arranger (all tracks) Various engineers from original sessions Remastering for this compilation PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS Standard jewel case with photo of Prince Chronological track listing emphasizing hit singles Later digital releases feature alternate slipcover artwork CHARTS USA: Billboard 200 | 18 Aug. 2001 | 66 | 25 weeks USA: Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | 18 Aug. 2001 | 72 | 4 weeks Europe (selected) UK: UK Albums Chart | 11 Aug. 2001 | 2 | 18 weeks The Netherlands: Album Top 100 | 8 Sep. 2001 | 3 | 21 weeks Germany: Top 100 Album-Chart | 13 Aug. 2001 | 5 | 14 weeks Certifications RIAA (USA): Platinum – 21 Sep. 2002 (1 million) BPI (UK): 3× Platinum (900,000) ARIA (Australia): 2× Platinum (140,000) The Very Best of Prince does not include the US number 1 hit "Batdance" most likely due to the licensing of the character Batman. Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine believed that the Batman album was unofficially being written out of Prince's discography.[1] All the songs included in this compilation were all previously included in the 3-disc box set The Hits/The B-Sides (1993), with the exception of "Money Don't Matter 2 Night". Commercial performance On the chart dated August 18, 2001, The Very Best of Prince debuted at number 66 on the US Billboard 200.[5] As of September 21, 2004, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling 1 million copies in the United States. The Very Best of Prince sold 179,000 album-equivalent units (100,000 in pure album sales) in the week following Prince's death in April 2016, thus allowing the album to re-enter the Billboard 200 at number one on the chart dating May 7, 2016; this makes the album Prince's fifth number-one on the chart. The following week the album fell to number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 391,000 equivalent copies (216,000 in pure album sales) behind Beyoncé's Lemonade. In 2016 alone, the album sold 660,000 recognized copies in the United States in addition to the over 2 million copies sold prior to 2016. SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography, Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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.

Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic is a companion remix album to Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, released exclusively to NPG Music Club members. It features remixes, extended versions, and one new track while maintaining a similar flow to its predecessor. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince (as ) Label: NPG Records Catalogue: 85337 20002 Format: CD (NPG Music Club exclusive) Country: Worldwide Released: April 30, 2001 Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop Length: 64:09 THE STORY This remix companion reworks several tracks from Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic with new elements, extended versions, and one addition (“Beautiful Strange”). It includes strong remixes such as “Undisputed (The Moneyapolis Mix)” and “Hot Wit U (Nasty Girl Remix).” CONTEXT & NOTES Released as a premium membership benefit for the NPG Music Club, the album was not available in general retail at the time. It served as a more experimental counterpart to the commercially oriented Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic. Both albums were reissued together in the 2019 Ultimate Rave box set. TRACK LISTING (2001 Original CD) Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic — 5:15 Undisputed (The Moneyapolis Mix) — 5:46 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold — 8:07 Hot Wit U (Nasty Girl Remix) — 4:24 Tangerine — 2:14 So Far, So Pleased — 3:24 The Sun, The Moon And Stars — 5:19 Man‘O’War (Remix) — 5:12 Baby Knows — 3:54 Love U, But Don’t Trust U Anymore — 3:36 Beautiful Strange — 4:56 Silly Game — 3:30 Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do — 3:16 Prettyman — 5:36 Total Length: 64:09 PERSONNEL Musicians Prince (as ) — all vocals and instruments (except where noted) ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND Chuck D — rap Eve — rap Gwen Stefani — co-lead vocals Sheryl Crow — co-lead vocals & harmonica Ani DiFranco — acoustic guitar Maceo Parker — saxophone Kip Blackshire — vocoder & background vocals Rhonda Smith — bass Kirk Johnson — drum programming The Hornheadz — horns Clare Fischer — string orchestration Production Prince (as ) — producer, arranger, engineer Kirk Johnson — computer programming Hans-Martin Buff — engineer Various additional engineers Steven Parke — art direction, photography, design CHARTS Primarily available via mail order / club membership, so not eligible for mainstream charts at original release. Almost the entire album consists of songs from Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, minus "Beautiful Strange", which was a previously unreleased recording. Unlike the former album, Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic does not include any "Segue" tracks. The album opens with "Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic", similar to the opening song on the parent album."The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" also includes a verse from Eve, along with an additional three minutes of production; the album's fourth song is the Nasty Girl remix of "Hot Wit' U", however, this version does not include the Eve verse. An extended version of "Tangerine" occurs, followed by "So Far, So Pleased", a duet with Gwen Stefani. The aforementioned track and "The Sun, the Moon and Stars" both appear in their untouched versions on the album. A remix of promotional single "Man'O'War" is the eighth recording, immediately followed by a lengthier version of other promotional single "Baby Knows". "I Love U, but I Don't Trust U Anymore" is also the original version of the track from Rave Un2, and includes a verse from folk rock singer Ani DiFranco, who plays an acoustic guitar. The album's eleventh song is the previously unreleased "Beautiful Strange", which was later used as the name of a DVD released by Prince in 2010.[9] The following recording is "Silly Game", which is the album's final untouched song. Alternative versions of "Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do" and "Prettyman" close the album, with the latter being a hidden track SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography,Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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.

Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic is Prince’s twenty-third studio album and the sixth released under his symbol name. It was his only album on Arista Records and features high-profile guest appearances aimed at mainstream commercial success RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince (as ) Label: NPG Records / Arista Records Catalogue: 07822-14624-1 Format: 2×LP Country: Worldwide Released: November 9, 1999 Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop Length: 69:52 THE STORY The album blends original Prince funk and rock with pop-oriented production and notable collaborations. Standouts include the lead single “The Greatest Romance Ever Sold,” the rocking “Undisputed” with Chuck D, and guest turns from Gwen Stefani, Sheryl Crow, Eve, and Ani DiFranco. CONTEXT & NOTES Overseen by Clive Davis, this was Prince’s attempt at a commercial comeback. Many tracks were new recordings from 1998–1999, while the title track dated back to 1988. A companion remix album, Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic, followed later. The album was supported by heavy European TV promotion and the Rave Un2 the Year 2000 pay-per-view special. Side A A1 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic — 4:19 A2 Undisputed — 4:20 A3 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold — 5:30 Side B B1 Segue — 0:04 B2 Hot Wit U — 5:11 B3 Tangerine — 1:31 B4 So Far, So Pleased — 3:24 B5 The Sun, The Moon And Stars — 5:16 Side C C1 Everyday Is A Winding Road — 6:13 C2 Segue — 0:19 C3 Man‘O’War — 5:15 C4 Baby Knows — 3:19 Side D D1 Love U, But Don’t Trust U Anymore — 3:36 D2 Silly Game — 3:30 D3 Strange But True — 4:13 D4 Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do — 3:16 D5 Segue — 0:44 D6 Prettyman — 4:25 Total Length: 69:52 PERSONNEL Musicians Prince (as ) — all vocals and instruments (except where noted) ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND Chuck D — rap on Undisputed Eve — rap on Hot Wit U Gwen Stefani — co-lead vocals on So Far, So Pleased Sheryl Crow — co-lead vocals & harmonica on Baby Knows Ani DiFranco — acoustic guitar on Love U, But Don’t Trust U Anymore Maceo Parker — saxophone on Prettyman Larry Graham — background vocals on Everyday Is A Winding Road Kip Blackshire — vocoder vocals Rhonda Smith — bass Kirk Johnson — drums, percussion The Hornheadz — horns Clare Fischer — string orchestration Production Prince — producer, arranger, engineer Various engineers including Hans-Martin Buff, Steve Mandel Tony Dawsey — mastering Steve Parke — art direction, photography, design PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS Double vinyl in gatefold sleeve Reflective digipak-style design elements on accompanying CD version Enhanced CD content with website links (on CD edition) CHARTS America USA: Billboard 200 | 27 Nov. 1999 | 18 | 15 weeks USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums | 27 Nov. 1999 | 8 | 16 weeks Europe Belgium: Ultratop Albums Flanders | 20 Nov. 1999 | 30 | 4 weeks France: SNEP Top Album 75 | 13 Nov. 1999 | 37 | 3 weeks Germany: MusikWoche Top 100 Albums | 22 Nov. 1999 | 39 | 5 weeks The Netherlands: Album Top 100 | 13 Nov. 1999 | 17 | 13 weeks Certifications RIAA (USA): Gold – 10 Dec. 1999 (500,000 units) Development of the album began in 1988, under the working title Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic. However, when the recording and writing sessions proved fruitless, the entire project was abandoned. A majority of the songs written for the album were originally made for Prince's previous works, such as Lovesexy (1988) and Graffiti Bridge (1990). In June 1998, Prince resumed the project, creating a "reworked" version of the title track, and enlisting help from other musicians, such as Gwen Stefani, Eve, and Sheryl Crow. Recording sessions took place in Chanhassen, Minnesota, at Paisley Park Studios, as well as at Electric Lady Studios, New York City, and O'Henry Sound Studios, in California. The production for the record concluded in September 1999, nearing two months to its scheduled release date. A digital version of the album was released exclusively to both of Prince's official website (1800new-funk.com and love4oneanother.com) and features enhancements that are not included on the physical edition. Prince described his decision to wear a blue jacket made out of faux wool instead of actual fur for the cover artwork: If this jacket were real wool, it would have taken seven lambs whose lives would have begun like this ... Within weeks of their birth, their ears would have been hole-punched, their tails chopped off and the males would have been castrated while fully conscious. xtremely high rates of mortality r considered normal: 20-40% of lambs die b4 the age of 8 weeks: 8 million mature sheep die every year from disease, xposure or neglect. SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography,Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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.

The Truth is Prince’s twenty-first studio album (credited to ), his first officially billed “acoustic” album. It was originally available only as part of the Crystal Ball mail-order and retail package in 1998. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince (as ) Label: NPG Records Format: CD (included with Crystal Ball set) Country: Worldwide Released: January 29, 1998 (mail order) / March 3, 1998 (retail) Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Acoustic Length: 43:18 1. The Truth (3:32) 2. Don’t Play Me (2:50) US: No cat. number THE STORY A mostly stripped-down, introspective album focusing on acoustic guitar, piano, and minimal production. It features a blend of new material and reworked ideas, highlighting Prince’s versatility as a solo performer in a more intimate setting. CONTEXT & NOTES The Truth was originally planned for standalone release in 1997 but was ultimately bundled with the Crystal Ball vault compilation. It was recorded quickly in late 1996 / early 1997 at Paisley Park. A limited vinyl reissue occurred in 2021 for Record Store Day (no vinyl release in 1998) TRACK LISTING (1998 Original CD) The Truth — 3:35 Don’t Play Me — 2:48 Circle Of Amour — 4:44 3rd — 4:54 Dionne — 3:14 Man In A Uniform — 3:08 Animal Kingdom — 4:01 The Other Side Of The Pillow — 3:22 Fascination — 4:55 One Of Your Tears — 3:27 Comeback — 2:00 Welcome 2 The Dawn (Acoustic Version) — 3:18 Total Length: 43:18 1. The Truth (3:32) 2. Don’t Play Me (2:50) US: No cat. number PERSONNEL Musicians Prince (as ) — all vocals, instruments, and effects (except where noted) ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND Rhonda Smith — bass guitar, vocals, percussion Kirk Johnson — percussion, vocals, beat programming Kat Dyson — vocals, percussion Mike Scott — guitar solo Production Prince (as ) — producer, arranger Hans-Martin Buff — engineer, mastering Brian Gardner — mastering Ric Wilson — mastering (2021 reissue) PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS Originally included as part of the Crystal Ball box set (no individual artwork in 1998) 2021 reissue features dedicated vinyl artwork Minimalist, intimate presentation matching the album’s acoustic nature CHARTS America (as part of Crystal Ball package in 1998) USA: Billboard 200 | 14 Mar. 1998 | 62 | 25 weeks USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums | 14 Mar. 1998 | 59 | 4 weeks 2021 Reissue (standalone) USA: Billboard Vinyl Albums | 26 June 2021 | 1 | - The Truth was released as the fourth CD in the Crystal Ball box set. The arrangements are mainly based around the acoustic guitar, augmented with elaborate production effects, multi-layered vocals, and occasional percussion and percussive effects. A CD single was released prior to the album, consisting of the record's first two tracks. In 2018, NPG Records released The Truth digitally on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, and Apple Music. In 2021, a special limited vinyl edition of The Truth was released on Record Store Day. SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography, Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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.

Crystal Ball is Prince’s twentieth studio album (credited to ), his second triple album in succession, and the first to be released and distributed completely independently. It is a vault collection of previously unreleased material spanning 1983–1997, originally available via direct mail order in January 1998, with retail following in March. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince (as ) Label: NPG Records Catalogue: 9362-46314-2 (retail) Format: 3×CD (mail order included bonus Kamasutra and The Truth) Country: Worldwide Released: January 29, 1998 (mail order) / March 3, 1998 (retail) THE STORY A deep dive into Prince’s legendary vault featuring outtakes, alternate mixes, and long-sought-after tracks. The album showcases material from different eras, including extended jams like “Cloreen Bacon Skin” and “Days Of Wild,” mixed with remixes and newer recordings. CONTEXT & NOTES Released after Prince gained full artistic freedom post-Warner Bros., Crystal Ball was sold primarily via 1-800 New Funk pre-orders. The mail-order version came in a unique round “crystal ball” case with The Truth and Kamasutra. It marked Prince’s pioneering independent distribution model, though it faced delays and customer service issues often referred to as the “Crystal Ball fiasco.” TRACK LISTING (1996 Original 3CD) Disc 1 Crystal Ball — 10:28 Dream Factory — 3:07 Acknowledge Me — 5:27 Ripopgodazippa — 4:39 Love Sign (Shock G’s Silky Remix) — 3:53 Hide The Bone — 5:04 2morrow — 4:14 So Dark — 5:14 Movie Star — 4:26 Tell Me How U Wanna B Done — 3:16 Disc 2 Interactive — 3:04 Da Bang — 3:20 Calhoun Square — 4:47 What’s My Name — 3:04 Crucial — 5:06 An Honest Man — 1:13 Sexual Suicide — 3:40 Cloreen Bacon Skin — 15:37 Good Love — 4:55 Strays Of The World — 5:07 Disc 3 Days Of Wild — 9:19 Last Heart — 3:02 Poom Poom — 4:32 She Gave Her Angels — 3:53 18 & Over — 5:40 The Ride — 5:14 Get Loose — 3:31 P. Control (Remix) — 6:00 Make Your Mama Happy — 4:01 Goodbye — 4:35 PERSONNEL Musicians Prince (as ) — all vocals and instruments (except where noted) ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND Susannah Melvoin — background vocals Wendy Melvoin — background vocals Sheila E. — sampled vocals Boni Boyer — vocal intro NPG Hornz (Kathy Jensen, Steve Strand, Dave Jensen, Michael B. Nelson, Brian Gallagher) — horns Michael B. — drums Sonny T. — bass Tommy Barbarella — keyboards Mr. Hayes — keyboards Carmen Electra — vocals Mayte — background vocals Eric Leeds — horns, saxophone Morris Day — drums Jill Jones — background vocals Kirk Johnson — drum programming Mike Scott — guitar Rain Ivana — NPG Operator voice Clare Fischer — orchestral arrangements Production Prince (as ) — producer, arranger Hans-Martin Buff — project engineer, mastering Brian Gardner — mastering Multiple additional engineers from various sessions Steve Parke — package concept and design PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS Mail order: Round plastic “crystal ball” case (5CD with The Truth + Kamasutra) Retail: 4CD jewel case set with The Truth and booklet Artwork and credits initially online only for pre-orders CHARTS America USA: Billboard 200 | 14 Mar. 1998 | 62 | 25 weeks USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums | 14 Mar. 1998 | 59 | 4 weeks The album is largely made up of tracks recorded in two periods: 1985–1986 and 1993–1996. The only exception is "Cloreen Bacon Skin", recorded in March 1983. No tracks were recorded specially for this album. However, "2morrow" was recorded after the completion of his previous album, Emancipation, making Crystal Ball the first album on which it could have been included. The album contains seven remixes or alternate versions of previously released tracks: "Love Sign (Shock G's Silky Remix)", "So Dark" (a remix of "Dark"), "Tell Me How U Wanna B Done" (a remix of "The Continental"), "Interactive", "Good Love", "Get Loose" (a remix of "Loose!"), and "P. Control (Remix)". This is the first Prince album of new material to feature previously released songs, although it primarily serves as an outtakes compilation rather than a studio album as such. Prince avoided using tracks that strongly featured the Revolution, as he intended to release a companion album, Roadhouse Garden, in 1999, containing previously unreleased Prince and the Revolution material (this album remains unreleased, however). Copyright information on the album is given as 1997. No singles were released from the album, although "Love Sign" and "P. Control" had both previously been available as promo-only singles connected to their original albums, 1-800-NEW-FUNK and The Gold Experience, respectively. Although videos for "Acknowledge Me", "Interactive" and "18 & Over" were made a few years before this release (and not connected to any albums), they were not used as promotional tools for Crystal Ball. "Days of Wild" was released as a limited-release single in 2002, using a different live version than included here. Prince did not tour or make any TV appearances to support the album. The album reached number 62 on the Billboard 200, and number 59 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography, Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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.

Emancipation is Prince’s nineteenth studio album and his first triple album, released under his symbol name shortly after fulfilling his Warner Bros. contract. It marked his artistic freedom with NPG Records / EMI. RELEASE DETAILS Label: NPG Records / EMI Records Catalogue: 7243 8 54982 2 8 Format: 3×CD Country: Worldwide Released: November 19, 1996 Length: 3×60:00 (180:00 total) THE STORY A celebratory triple album showcasing Prince’s freedom after leaving Warner Bros. It blends original funk, soul, rock, ballads, and covers across three exactly 60-minute discs, reflecting Prince’s fascination with numerology and Egyptian symbolism. CONTEXT & NOTES Recorded primarily between 1995–1996, Emancipation was Prince’s first major independent release. It includes covers like “Betcha By Golly Wow!” and “One Of Us.” The album was heavily promoted with tours (Love 4 One Another Charities Tour and Jam Of The Year World Tour) and marked a new era of independence. TTRACK LISTING (1996 Original 3CD) Disc 1 Jam Of The Year — 6:09 Right Back Here In My Arms — 4:33 Somebody’s Somebody — 4:43 Get Yo Groove On — 6:31 Courtin’ Time — 2:46 Betcha By Golly Wow! — 3:30 We Gets Up — 4:17 White Mansion — 4:47 Damned If Do — 5:20 Can’t Make U Love Me — 6:37 Mr. Happy — 4:46 In This Bed Scream — 5:40 Disc 2 Sex In The Summer — 5:56 One Kiss At A Time — 4:40 Soul Sanctuary — 4:41 Emale — 3:37 Curious Child — 2:57 Dreamin’ About U — 3:52 Joint 2 Joint — 7:51 The Holy River — 6:55 Let’s Have A Baby — 4:07 Saviour — 5:48 The Plan — 1:46 Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife — 7:37 Disc 3 Slave — 4:51 New World — 3:42 The Human Body — 5:41 Face Down — 3:16 La, La, La Means Love U — 3:58 Style — 6:40 Sleep Around — 7:41 Da, Da, Da — 5:15 My Computer — 4:36 One Of Us — 5:19 The Love We Make — 4:38 Emancipation — 4:12 PERSONNEL Musicians Prince (as ) — all vocals and instruments (except where noted) ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND Kirk Johnson — drums, associate producer Rosie Gaines — additional vocals Eric Leeds — saxophone, flute, horns Rhonda Smith — bass, additional vocals Kat Dyson (Kathleen Dyson) — guitar, additional vocals Mr. Hayes (Morris Hayes) — keyboards, additional vocals NPG Hornz (Michael B. Nelson, Steve Strand, Dave Jensen, Kathy Jensen, Brian Gallagher) — horns Sonny T., Michael B., Tommy Barbarella — on select tracks Scrap D. — rap, shouts Mayte — Spanish vocals, background vocals Ninety-9 — vocal samples, spoken word Savion Glover — tap performance Kate Bush — additional vocals Chanté Moore — additional vocals Various others including Ricky Peterson, Brian Lynch, Walter Chancellor Jr. Production Prince (as ) — producer, arranger, engineer Kirk Johnson — associate producer, engineer Multiple engineers including Tom Tucker, Ray Hahnfeldt, Steve Durkee, Hans-Martin Buff Vlado Meller — mastering Steve Parke — art direction & design PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS 3CD jewel case set with extensive booklet Symbolic artwork and liner notes emphasizing freedom Photography by Jeff Katz and Randee St. Nicholas CHARTS America USA: Billboard 200 | 7 Dec. 1996 | 11 | 21 weeks USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums | 7 Dec. 1996 | 6 | 26 weeks Europe Belgium: Ultratop Albums Flanders | 7 Dec. 1996 | 8 | 11 weeks Belgium: Ultratop 200 Wallonia | 7 Dec. 1996 | 22 | 8 weeks France: Top 50 Albums | 16 Nov. 1996 | 9 | 4 weeks Germany: MusikWoche Top 100 Albums | 2 Dec. 1996 | 21 | 10 weeks The Netherlands: Album Top 100 | 30 Nov. 1996 | 13 | 10 weeks UK: UK Albums Chart | 25 Nov. 1996 | 18 | 6 weeks Certifications RIAA (USA): 2× Platinum – 7 Feb. 1997 (2 million units) CRIA (Canada): Gold – 22 Nov. 1996 (100,000 units) Emancipation marked the first album in Prince's career to include cover versions of songs written by other songwriters. He said that he had wanted to cover songs in the past, but was advised against it by Warner Bros. Four such covers appeared on the album: "Betcha by Golly Wow!" (previously a hit for the Stylistics), "Abstract eye shape with simple lines. Black pupil looking left with white iris with black outer border. Can't Make You Love Me" (previously a hit for Bonnie Raitt), "La-La (Means I Love You)" (previously a hit for the Delfonics) retitled "La, La, La Means Abstract eye shape with simple lines. Black pupil looking left with white iris with black outer border. Love U", and "One of Us" (written by Eric Bazilian, and previously a hit for Joan Osborne). Notably, Prince changed the chorus of "One of Us" from "What if God was one of us / Just a slob like one of us" to "... Just a slave like one of us". The album is notable for its format: it consists of three discs, each containing 12 songs with exactly 60 minutes per disc. Prince insinuated to the press at the time that the number of songs, discs and length of the album had a connection with the Egyptians and Egyptian pyramids. In the United States, the album debuted at number 11. Though not a major seller, it did sell over 500,000 copies. Being three discs, it qualified to being certified double platinum (the RIAA certifies based on the number of discs sold - 3 disc set). The subsequent Jam of the Year World Tour was a major success (though very few songs from Emancipation were included in the concerts and the vast majority of the album's tracks remained unperformed), resulting in a significant comeback for Prince after the commercial and critical disappointment of Chaos and Disorder from four months earlier. The song "The Love We Make" was used as the finale of 2020 TV series We Are Who We Are.[ SOURCES Album liner notes, Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault. COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album 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.