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✦ 0(+>’s most intimate Gold Experience single — expanded into a worldwide maxi‑release A global rollout featuring multiple mixes, regional variants, and one of the most emotionally charged singles of the era ✦ Summary Released worldwide on September 19, 1995, I Hate U (The Hate Experience) served as one of the major singles from The Gold Experience, the first full studio album credited to . The track stands as one of the most personal and emotionally raw songs of the era — a slow‑burning, confessional ballad that blends courtroom drama, heartbreak, and spiritual conflict. The maxi‑single campaign was extensive, spanning UK & Europe, USA, Canada, and Australia, each with its own configuration of mixes. The flagship 12" edition included the Extended Remix, the Album Version, and the Quiet Night Mix by Eric Leeds. The US 12" added the 7" Edit, while CD editions worldwide offered all four mixes in varying orders. Pressed across multiple plants (including Damont in the UK), the release is notable for its consistent artwork, its global rollout, and its tight integration with the Gold Experience campaign. Commercially, the single performed strongly, reaching No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 on the R&B chart, and charting across Europe. ✦ Highlights • Released worldwide on September 19, 1995 • Major single from The Gold Experience • Multiple regional maxi‑single variants • Includes Extended Remix, Album Version, Quiet Night Mix, and 7" Edit • Strong US chart performance (Hot 100 No. 12, R&B No. 3) • Pressed by Damont (UK) • Artwork features the iconic Love Symbol and courtroom‑themed imagery ✦ Track Details 12" – UK & Europe (9362‑43573‑0 / WO315T) A1. I Hate U (Extended Remix) — 6:17 B1. I Hate U (Album Version) — 5:58 B2. I Hate U (Quiet Night Mix by Eric Leeds) — 3:55 Pressed by Damont Barcode: 093624357308 Label Code: LC 0392 Rights Society: GEMA/BIEM, ASCAP ✦ All Variants (Complete List) Every variant you supplied is included below. 1. USA – 12" Maxi‑Single Warner Bros. Records – 9 43592‑0 / NPG Records – 9 43592‑0 A1. I Hate U (Extended Remix) — 6:17 A2. I Hate U (7" Edit) — 4:27 B1. I Hate U (Quiet Night Mix by Eric Leeds) — 3:55 B2. I Hate U (Album Version) — 6:07 2. USA – CD Maxi‑Single (FLP Case) Warner Bros. Records – 9 43592‑2 / NPG Records – 2‑43592 I Hate U (7" Edit) — 4:27 I Hate U (Extended Remix) — 6:17 I Hate U (Quiet Night Mix by Eric Leeds) — 3:55 I Hate U (Album Version) — 6:07 3. Australia – CD Maxi‑Single WEA Records / Warner Bros. Records / NPG Records – 9362435922 I Hate U (7" Edit) I Hate U (Extended Remix) I Hate U (Quiet Night Mix) I Hate U (Album Version) 4. UK & Europe – 12" Maxi‑Single Warner Bros. Records – 9362‑43573‑0 / NPG Records – WO315T A1. I Hate U (Extended Remix) — 6:17 B1. I Hate U (Album Version) — 5:58 B2. I Hate U (Quiet Night Mix by Eric Leeds) — 3:55 5. Canada – CD Maxi‑Single Warner Bros. Records – CD 43592 / NPG Records – CD 43592 I Hate U (Extended Remix) — 6:17 I Hate U (7" Edit) — 4:27 I Hate U (Quiet Night Mix by Eric Leeds) — 3:55 I Hate U (Album Version) — 6:07 ✦ Reissues & Global Variants • No picture disc • No cassette single • Artwork consistent across regions • US 12" includes unique 7" Edit not present on UK 12" • Australian CD uses simplified tracklist formatting ✦ Production and Context • Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by and The New Power Generation • Part of the Gold Experience era, during the height of the name‑change period • Quiet Night Mix arranged by Eric Leeds • Themes of betrayal, desire, and emotional conflict • One of the most lyrically explicit emotional statements of the mid‑’90s ✦ Singles Released I Hate U — September 19, 1995 ✦ Chart Performance USA • Billboard Hot 100 — No. 12 (10 weeks) • Billboard Hot R&B Singles — No. 3 (20 weeks) Europe Belgium (Flanders) — No. 43 (2 weeks) Germany — No. 62 (9 weeks) Netherlands (Top 40) — No. 20 (3 weeks) UK (Gallup Singles Chart) — No. 20 (3 weeks) ✦ Mini Discography The Most Beautiful Girl in the World — 1994 The Gold Experience — 1995 I Hate U (The Hate Experience) — 1995 ✦ Mini‑Timeline September 19, 1995 — Maxi‑single released worldwide September 23, 1995 — US chart debut October 1995 — European chart entries Late 1995 — Final Gold Experience single campaign ✦ Glam Flashback I Hate U is one of the most emotionally charged singles of the ’90s — a courtroom confession wrapped in velvet‑smooth production and NPG sophistication. The maxi‑single campaign amplified its impact, offering extended mixes, late‑night jazz textures, and the raw album version. It remains a defining moment of the Gold Experience era, capturing at his most vulnerable and theatrical. ✦ 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 Wikipedia Discogs

Q Magazine cover and seven page feature July 1994

✦ The extended Purple Rain dancefloor edition A UK‑exclusive 12" pairing featuring the full 7:35 extended mix of “Let’s Go Crazy” and the uncut album version of “Take Me With U,” backed with the legendary “Erotic City” ✦ Summary Released in the United Kingdom in 1985, the Let’s Go Crazy / Take Me With U 12" single offered fans a high‑energy, club‑ready expansion of the Purple Rain era. Unlike the 7" edition — which paired the two tracks as a double‑A‑side — the 12" added a third powerhouse: “Erotic City (Make Love Not War Erotic City Come Alive)”, one of Prince’s most influential B‑sides. The release features the 7:35 extended version of “Let’s Go Crazy,” a mix that became a staple of Prince’s live shows and DJ sets. The 12" was issued in multiple UK variants, including PRS and Damont pressings, generic‑sleeve editions, and an Island‑publisher variant. All share the same catalog number family (W2000T / 920 317‑0). The sleeve famously includes a warning about the explicit lyrical content of “Erotic City,” making it one of the few Prince singles to carry such a notice during the 1980s. ✦ Highlights • Released 1985 (UK) • Features the 7:35 extended version of “Let’s Go Crazy” • Includes “Take Me With U” (album version) • Adds “Erotic City” — 7:24 full version • Multiple UK pressing variants (PRS, Damont, generic sleeve, Island publisher) • Sleeve includes explicit‑content warning • Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince and the Revolution ✦ Track Details 12" – UK (W2000T / 920 317‑0) A1. Let’s Go Crazy (Extended Version) — 7:35 A2. Take Me With U — 3:51 B. Erotic City (Make Love Not War Erotic City Come Alive) — 7:24 Credits: Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince and the Revolution Published by Island Music Ltd. Pressed by PRS Ltd. Plated at Musitech Distributed by WEA Records Ltd. ℗ 1984 / 1985 WEA International Inc. Sleeve note: WARNING! Erotic City contains sexually explicit lyrics that could be offensive ✦ All UK 12" Variants (Complete List) Every variant you supplied is included below. 1. PRS Pressing 12", 45 RPM, Stereo Warner Bros. Records – W2000T / 920 317‑0 / W2000 (T) / 920317‑0 UK — 1985 2. Generic Sleeve Edition 12", 45 RPM, Stereo Warner Bros. Records – W2000 (T) / W2000 T / (920317‑0) UK — 1985 3. Damont Pressing 12", 45 RPM, Stereo Warner Bros. Records – W2000T / W2000 (T) / 920 317‑0 UK — 1985 4. Damont Pressing – Island Publisher Variant 12", 45 RPM, Stereo Warner Bros. Records – W2000T / W2000 (T) / 920 317‑0 UK — 1985 ✦ Reissues & Global Variants • No UK picture disc • No colored vinyl • US 12" editions differ and are handled separately • Multiple UK pressings due to manufacturing differences (PRS, Damont) ✦ Production and Context • Extended version of “Let’s Go Crazy” became a fan‑favourite • “Erotic City” considered one of Prince’s most influential B‑sides • Sleeve warning was unusual for the era • Part of the broader Purple Rain single campaign • All tracks published by Island Music Ltd. in the UK ✦ Singles Released Let’s Go Crazy — 1984 (US) Take Me With U — 1985 (US) Let’s Go Crazy / Take Me With U (UK 7") — February 15, 1985 Let’s Go Crazy / Take Me With U (UK 12") — 1985 ✦ Chart Performance (UK) Official Singles Chart: • Peak position: No. 7 • First chart date: February 23, 1985 • Weeks on chart: 9 • Re‑entry: No. 86 on May 4, 1985 (Chart data applies to the overall single, not format‑specific.) ✦ Mini Discography Purple Rain (Album) — 1984 Let’s Go Crazy (Single) — 1984 Take Me With U (Single) — 1985 Let’s Go Crazy / Take Me With U (UK 7") — 1985 Let’s Go Crazy / Take Me With U (UK 12") — 1985 ✦ Mini‑Timeline June 25, 1984 — Purple Rain album released July 18, 1984 — “Let’s Go Crazy” released (US) January 1985 — “Take Me With U” released (US) February 15, 1985 — UK 7" released 1985 — UK 12" released February–April 1985 — UK chart run May 4, 1985 — Re‑entry at No. 86 ✦ Glam Flashback The UK 12" of Let’s Go Crazy / Take Me With U is pure Purple Rain excess — the extended sermon‑funk explosion of “Let’s Go Crazy,” the cinematic warmth of “Take Me With U,” and the raw, pulsing electricity of “Erotic City.” Pressed in multiple variants and wrapped in a sleeve that boldly warns of explicit content, it stands as one of the most iconic and collectible 12" singles of Prince’s imperial era. ✦ 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 Wikipedia Discogs BBC Charts

Lead single from Prince’s landmark 1987 album, backed with the previously‑unreleased “La, La, La, He, He, Hee” A stark, electronic statement released six weeks before the album, with iconic cover art featuring Cat. 🟣 Summary • Released 2 March 1987 in the UK, Sign O’ The Times was the first single from Prince’s ninth studio album. • The b‑side, La, La, La, He, He, Hee, was previously unreleased at the time. • The cover features Cat, a new bandmember, holding a large black heart obscuring her face — often mistaken for Prince. • The single’s minimalist production, built largely on the Fairlight CMI, marked a dramatic stylistic shift from the lush arrangements of the Revolution era. • The track received strong early US radio support, becoming the most‑added song on both Billboard’s Hot Black Singles and Hot 100 Singles Action charts on 7 March 1987. • The single achieved major international success, reaching No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the US Black Singles chart, and entering the top 10 in multiple European territories. • Re‑released in 2020 as part of the Sign O’ The Times Singles Collection. 🟣 Highlights • Released 2 March 1987 (UK) • Lead single from Sign O’ The Times • B‑side previously unreleased • Cover features Cat (not Prince) • US Billboard Hot 100 peak: No. 3 • US Black Singles peak: No. 1 • UK peak: No. 10 • Strong European chart performance • Reissued in 2020 🟣 Track Details 7" Single A. Sign O’ The Times (Edit) — 3:42 B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee — 3:21 Cat#: UK: W8399 12" Single A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) — 4:57 B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) — 10:32 Cat#: UK: W8399T 12" Picture Disc — UK A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) — 4:57 B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) — 10:32 Cat#: W8399TP 12" Promo — UK A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) — 4:57 B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) — 10:32 Cat#: SAM 349 12" 2007 Reissue — UK A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) — 4:57 B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) — 10:32 Cat#: 920 648‑0 🟣 Reissues & Global Variants • 2007 UK 12" reissue • 2020 Sign O’ The Times Singles Collection reissue • Multiple European pressings with alternate catalogue numbers 🟣 Production and Context • Written, produced, arranged, and performed by Prince • Built primarily on the Fairlight CMI • Lyrics address HIV/AIDS, gang violence, poverty, drug epidemics, and global instability • Recorded during the transition from the Revolution era to Prince’s new solo workflow • B‑side recorded during the Sign O’ The Times sessions but unreleased until this single 🟣 Singles Released • Sign O’ The Times — 1987 • If I Was Your Girlfriend — 1987 • U Got The Look — 1987 • I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man — 1987 🟣 Chart Performance • Gallup Singles Chart — No. 10 (14 March 1987) Europe • Ireland — No. 6 • Belgium — No. 8 • Netherlands — No. 7 • Norway — No. 7 🟣 Mini Discography • Parade — 1986 • Sign O’ The Times — 1987 • Lovesexy — 1988 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • Late 1986 — Final version recorded • 2 March 1987 — UK single released • 7 March 1987 — Most‑added song on US radio • April 1987 — Album released • 2020 — Single reissued 🟣 Glam Flashback • The single’s stark production and unflinching social commentary marked a turning point in Prince’s artistic evolution, signalling a move toward leaner, more experimental textures that defined the Sign O’ The Times era. 🟣 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 Billboard archives Official Charts Company Contemporary reviews and chart reports #Prince #SignOTheTimes #CatGlover #PaisleyPark #1987 #NowSpinning #RecordCollectors #ArchivePost

Fifth and final UK single from , backed with Live 4 Love A March 1993 UK‑only release marking the last NPG‑credited single of the era. 🟣 Summary • Released 1 March 1993 in the United Kingdom, The Morning Papers was the fifth and final UK single from Prince’s 14th studio album, the second credited to Prince and the New Power Generation. • The b‑side, Live 4 Love, was taken from the previous album Diamonds And Pearls. • The UK CD single also included Love 2 The 9’s, taken from the same album as the a‑side. • A UK cassette single was issued alongside the 7" and EU CD formats. • The single reached No. 52 on the UK Gallup Singles Chart, spending 3 weeks on the chart. • This was the final UK single credited to Prince and the New Power Generation until the limited‑release Days Of Wild in 2002. 🟣 Highlights • Released 1 March 1993 (UK) • Fifth and final UK single from * * • B‑side from Diamonds And Pearls • UK CD includes Love 2 The 9’s • UK cassette issued with same tracklist as 7" • Final NPG‑credited UK single until 2002 • UK chart peak: No. 52 🟣 Track Details 7" Single — UK A. The Morning Papers — 3:57 B. Live 4 Love — 6:58 Cat#: W0162 Cassette Single — UK A. The Morning Papers — 3:57 B. Live 4 Love — 6:58 Cat#: W0162C / 5439‑18583‑4 CD Single — Europe (UK‑marketed) The Morning Papers — 3:57 Live 4 Love — 6:58 Love 2 The 9’s — 5:46 Cat#: W0162CD / 9362‑40800‑2 🟣 All Variants (Complete List) 7" Variants • UK — W0162 Cassette Variants • UK — W0162C / 5439‑18583‑4 CD Variants • EU CD single distributed in the UK — W0162CD / 9362‑40800‑2 Promo Variants • No confirmed UK promo editions 🟣 Reissues & Global Variants • No UK reissues • EU CD often catalogued alongside UK formats due to identical release date • No picture disc or 12" formats issued in the UK 🟣 Production and Context • Written, produced, arranged, and performed by Prince • B‑side Live 4 Love sourced from Diamonds And Pearls sessions • Represents the final UK single of the early‑’90s NPG era • Released the same day in the UK as Candy Dulfer’s Sax‑A‑Go‑Go, which also contains Prince involvement 🟣 Singles Released (UK Sequence) • Sexy MF — 1992 • My Name Is Prince — 1992 • 7 — 1992 • Damn U — 1992 • The Morning Papers — 1993 🟣 Chart Performance — UK • Gallup Singles Chart — No. 52 • Chart date: 13 March 1993 • Weeks on chart: 3 🟣 Mini Discography • Diamonds And Pearls — 1991 • — 1992 • The Morning Papers (UK Single) — 1993 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • Early 1993 — UK single prepared for release • 1 March 1993 — UK release • 13 March 1993 — Enters UK chart at No. 52 🟣 Glam Flashback • The single reflects the romantic, cinematic tone of the * * era, arriving at the tail end of Prince’s early‑’90s UK chart presence before he shifted into a new creative phase. #Prince #TheMorningPapers #NPG #1993 #PaisleyPark #NowSpinning #RecordCollectors #ArchivePost 🟣 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 UK Gallup chart archives

Sheila E.’s third album blends her songwriting with uncredited Prince performances and production guidance A February 1987 release featuring five Prince‑involved tracks recorded between 1985 and 1986. 🟣 Summary • Released 24 February 1987, Sheila E. is the third studio album by Sheila E., issued worldwide on Paisley Park / Warner Bros. • Five of the ten tracks were co‑written with Prince (though credited solely to Sheila E.) and feature his uncredited musical input, including vocals, instrumentation, and arrangement. • Prince contributed heavily to the sessions between December 1985 and September 1986, recording at Sunset Sound (Hollywood) and his Galpin Blvd Home Studio (Chanhassen). • Prince also offered Love And Sex for inclusion, but it was not used. Other tracks considered but unreleased include The World Is High, Paradise Gardens, and Split Personality. • The album produced three singles: Love On A Blue Train, Hold Me, and Koo Koo. • Despite strong material, promotion was limited as Sheila E. joined Prince’s Sign O’ The Times Tour shortly after release. • The album peaked at No. 56 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and No. 24 on the Billboard Top Black Albums chart. 🟣 Highlights • Released 24 February 1987 • Five tracks co‑written with Prince (uncredited) • Prince performs backing vocals and most instrumentation on Prince‑related tracks • Sessions recorded at Sunset Sound and Galpin Blvd Home Studio • Three singles released: Love On A Blue Train, Hold Me, Koo Koo • Limited promotion due to Sheila E.’s role on Prince’s 1987 tour • Album reached No. 56 (Pop) and No. 24 (Black Albums) in the US 🟣 Track Details CD — Worldwide (Paisley Park / Warner Bros.) (Prince‑related tracks marked with 1) One Day (I’m Gonna Make You Mine) — 4:47¹ Wednesday Like A River Hold Me Faded Photographs Koo Koo — 3:24¹ Pride And The Passion — 4:05¹ Boy’s Club — 3:56¹ Soul Salsa Hon E Man Love On A Blue Train — 5:33¹ LP / Cassette — Worldwide Side 1: • One Day (I’m Gonna Make You Mine) — 4:47¹ • Wednesday Like A River • Hold Me • Faded Photographs • Koo Koo — 3:24¹ Side 2: • Pride And The Passion — 4:05¹ • Boy’s Club — 3:56¹ • Soul Salsa • Hon E Man • Love On A Blue Train — 5:33¹ 🟣 All Variants (Complete List) CD Variants • Worldwide CD release (Paisley Park / Warner Bros.) LP Variants • Worldwide LP release Cassette Variants • Worldwide cassette release Promo Variants • Regional promo LPs and singles for Hold Me and Koo Koo 🟣 Reissues & Global Variants • No major reissues • Japanese editions include standard tracklist • Some singles issued with alternate titles (Touch Me for Hold Me) 🟣 Production and Context • Prince — producer, arranger (credited to Sheila E.), all instruments on Prince‑related tracks • David Z. — co‑producer • Engineers: Coke Johnson, David Leonard, Peggy McCreary • Mastering: Chris Bellman • Sessions spanned December 1985–September 1986 • Prince’s involvement includes backing vocals, instrumentation, and arrangement across five tracks • Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss contribute horns on multiple Prince‑related songs 🟣 Singles Released • Love On A Blue Train — Japan only (1986) • Hold Me — worldwide (1987) • Koo Koo — worldwide (1987) 🟣 Chart Performance USA • Billboard Top Pop Albums — No. 56 (12 weeks) • Billboard Top Black Albums — No. 24 (12 weeks) Europe • Netherlands Album Top 100 — No. 68 (1 week) • Sweden Albums Chart — No. 24 (2 weeks) • Switzerland Album Chart — No. 20 (2 weeks) 🟣 Mini Discography • The Glamorous Life — 1984 • Romance 1600 — 1985 • Sheila E. — 1987 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • December 1985 — Love On A Blue Train recorded • March 1986 — Boy’s Club recorded • May 1986 — Pride And The Passion recorded • September 1986 — One Day and Koo Koo recorded • 24 February 1987 — Album released • March 1987 — Sheila E. joins Prince’s Sign O’ The Times Tour 🟣 Glam Flashback • The album captures Sheila E. at a creative crossroads — balancing her own songwriting voice with Prince’s unmistakable musical fingerprints, all while transitioning into her role as drummer for the Sign O’ The Times era. 🟣 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 Album liner notes Chart archives Studio session documentation #SheilaE #Prince #PaisleyPark #1987 #NowSpinning #RecordCollectors #ArchivePost #MinneapolisSound

Japanese‑only single featuring the exclusive long version of “Super Hero” A regional release notable for containing a unique extended mix unavailable on other formats. 🟣 Summary • Released February 25, 1994 in Japan, Blood Brothers is a regional Earth, Wind & Fire single issued to promote the group’s early‑’90s output. • The single is historically significant for Prince collectors because it includes a unique “long version” of “Super Hero”, a track originally written by Prince (as “Superhero”) and recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire for the Super Hero soundtrack and later Millennium (1993). • This extended version is exclusive to the Japanese CD single and has not been reissued on any other commercial format. • The release reflects Japan’s tendency in the 1990s to issue exclusive mixes, edits, and bonus tracks not available in the US or Europe. 🟣 Highlights • Released 25 February 1994 (Japan) • Japanese‑exclusive single • Contains the unique long version of “Super Hero” • Track written by Prince (credited as Paisley Park) • Not reissued on any later compilation or digital platform • Highly sought after by Prince and EWF collectors 🟣 Track Details Blood Brothers (Edit) Love Is The Greatest Story (Album Version) Frontline Of Seduction (Non-LP Track) Super Hero (Long Version) (Exact timings vary by pressing; the long version is longer than the album/soundtrack version.) 🟣 Reissues & Global Variants • No reissues • Long version of “Super Hero” remains exclusive to this single • Standard version appears on Millennium (1993) and the Super Hero soundtrack 🟣 Production and Context • “Super Hero” written by Prince (as Paisley Park) • Recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire for the Super Hero film soundtrack • Later included on their 1993 album Millennium • Japanese single issued to promote the group’s 1994 activity and capitalize on regional demand for exclusive mixes 🟣 Singles Released • Blood Brothers — Japan (1994) • Super Hero — soundtrack tie‑in (1993) 🟣 Chart Performance • No major chart entries reported • Release limited to Japanese market 🟣 Mini Discography • Millennium — 1993 • Blood Brothers (Japan Single) — 1994 • Heritage — 1990 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • 1993 — “Super Hero” recorded and released on soundtrack • Late 1993 — Included on Millennium • 25 February 1994 — Japanese single Blood Brothers released with exclusive long version 🟣 Glam Flashback • Japan’s music market in the 1990s frequently issued exclusive mixes and bonus tracks, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Blood Brothers single is a prime example — preserving a Prince‑related extended version unavailable anywhere else. #EarthWindAndFire #Prince #SuperHero #JapanExclusive #1994 #NowSpinning #RecordCollectors #ArchivePost 🟣 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 Collector documentation

A landmark Madonna single blending pop‑rock, gospel, controversy, and a Prince‑connected maxi‑single. 🔘 – Overview Released on February 27, 1989, “Like a Prayer” served as the lead single from Madonna’s fourth studio album of the same name. Written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, the song marked a major artistic shift — more personal, more adult, and more musically ambitious. The track fuses pop rock, dance‑pop, gospel, and elements of funk, featuring a full gospel choir and a prominent rock‑guitar presence. Some versions of the maxi‑single included a guitar solo by Prince, reflecting a brief but meaningful creative exchange between the two artists. Personal Note : When I met Prince, he told me he wanted to work with artists like Madonna amd ( George Michael) — and all he wanted in return was that they dedicated their work to God. That sentiment aligns eerily with the spiritual‑provocative duality of Like a Prayer. The song’s lyrics use liturgical language, but critics and listeners have long noted the duality between religious imagery and sexual metaphor, a tension that became central to its cultural impact. 🔘 – Track List 7" Single — Sire Records — 1989 Side A Like a Prayer Written by Madonna, Patrick Leonard Produced by Madonna, Patrick Leonard Side B Act of Contrition Written by Madonna, Patrick Leonard Produced by Madonna, Patrick Leonard Maxi‑Single Notes Some extended versions include a Prince guitar solo, uncredited but widely documented in collector and studio circles. 🔘 – Chart Performance United States — Billboard Hot 100 • Debut: No. 38 • Peak: No. 1 (April 22, 1989) • Weeks at No. 1: 3 • Dance Club Play: No. 1 • Adult Contemporary: No. 3 • Hot Black Singles: No. 20 • Certified 2× Platinum (RIAA) United Kingdom — Official Singles Chart • Debut: No. 2 • Peak: No. 1 (3 weeks) • 11th best‑selling UK single of 1989 • Certified 2× Platinum (BPI) Global Performance • No. 1 in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Ireland • No. 1 on Eurochart Hot 100 for 12 weeks • Over 5 million copies sold worldwide 🔘 – Music Video Directed by Mary Lambert, the video became one of the most controversial of the decade. It depicts: A church setting Stigmata imagery Burning crosses A Black saint (played by Leon Robinson) A wrongful arrest narrative Madonna seeking sanctuary The Vatican condemned the video, and religious groups launched boycotts — including a major boycott of Pepsi, who had used the song in a commercial. Pepsi cancelled the sponsorship but allowed Madonna to keep the $5 million fee. 🔘 – Cultural Impact Like a Prayer marked a turning point in Madonna’s career, with critics beginning to acknowledge her as a serious artist rather than a pop provocateur. The song appears on: The Immaculate Collection (1990) Celebration (2009) Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones (2022) Rolling Stone included it in The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 🔘 – Variants • 7" Single — Sire Records — 1989 • 12" Maxi‑Single — includes extended mixes and Prince‑associated guitar work • CD Single — multiple international editions • Picture disc variants (UK/Europe) 🔘 – Visual Archive Madonna – Like a Prayer (1989), a global No. 1 hit and one of the most influential singles of the decade. 🔘 – Related Material • Express Yourself (1989) • Cherish (1989) • Oh Father (1989) • Like a Prayer (album, 1989) 🔘 – Discography Like a Prayer — 1989 Express Yourself — 1989 Cherish — 1989 🔘 – Mini‑Timeline ✦ September 1988 – January 1989 — Recording sessions ✦ March 3, 1989 — Single released ✦ April 22, 1989 — Reaches No. 1 in the US ✦ March 1989 — Reaches No. 1 in the UK ✦ 1989 — Global chart domination 🔘 – Flashback A fusion of gospel, rock, pop, and controversy — Like a Prayer stands as one of the most culturally seismic singles of the 1980s, redefining Madonna’s artistic identity and reshaping pop music’s relationship with religious imagery. 🔘 – Sources Wikipedia — Like a Prayer (song)

Prince launches his groundbreaking online subscription service with exclusive audio, video, and the first NPG Ahdio Show The actual site was launched on February 14, 2001. A landmark digital release marking the beginning of Prince’s pioneering online distribution era. 🟣 Summary • Released 18 February 2001, NPG Music Club Edition #1 marked the official launch of Prince’s subscription‑based digital platform, the NPG Music Club (NPGMC). • The release included exclusive audio and video content, free promotional downloads, and the debut of the NPG Ahdio Show, a long‑form curated mix of Prince‑related material. • This edition delivered new studio tracks, remixes, live material, and multimedia content — all distributed digitally at a time when major artists had not yet embraced online releases. • The platform offered tiered membership, with Basic Members receiving the Ahdio Show and select tracks, while Premium Members gained access to additional “Bonus Trax.” • Edition #1 set the template for Prince’s early‑2000s digital strategy, blending music, video, and community‑driven content. 🟣 Highlights • Released 18 February 2001 • Launch of the NPG Music Club • First appearance of NPG Ahdio Show #1 • Includes new Prince tracks: When Eye Lay My Hands On U, High, My Medallion, Golden Parachute (clip) • Includes Revolution‑era track Splash • Includes NPG track Peace • Includes Carmen Electra remix Dance Un2 The Rythm • Includes exclusive videos: When Eye Lay My Hands On U and U Make My Sun Shine • Early example of a major artist distributing music directly online 🟣 Track Details Promotional Downloads (Free) — 18 February 2001 Audio: • NPGMC Commercial — 4:22 • When Eye Lay My Hands On U — 3:39 Video: • NPGMC Intro — 2:00 NPGMC Edition #1 — All Members Audio: • NPG Ahdio Show #1 — 56:40 • Splash — Prince and the Revolution — 4:05 • Mad — 5:32 • Funky Design — 3:46 Video: • When Eye Lay My Hands On U — 1:09 Premium Bonus Trax Audio: • Peace — New Power Generation — 5:34 Video: • U Make My Sun Shine — Prince & Angie Stone — length unlisted NPG Ahdio Show #1 — Full Program Tora Tora — Intro Jacob Armen — Gothic Metal Tora Tora — Tora Tora Talks The Artist (with Nona Gaye) — Love Sign (Ted’s Funky Chariot Remix) Tora Tora — Tora Tora Talks Prince — When Eye Lay My Hands On U Femi Wanna Talk — Interlude Prince — High Rhonda Smith Joins By Telephone Rhonda Smith — Calling To Say Goodbye Ani DiFranco — To The Teeth Rhonda Smith — Mother Earth Rhonda Smith Talks To Tora Tora Cindy Blackman — Spanish Colored Romance Prince — My Medallion Prince — Golden Parachute (Instrumental Clip) Fonky Bald Heads — Passing Your Name Madhouse — Kamasutra Ouverture #8 (Remix) Montabo’s Hair Hut — Parody Commercial Carmen Electra — Dance Un2 The Rhythm (Remix) The Artist — I Like It There Tora Tora — Tora Tora Returns 4 The Conclusion Prince — Days Of Wild (Live Guitar Jam) The Artist — Mad The Artist — Funky Design Prince & The Revolution — Splash NPG — Peace Prince — When Eye Lay My Hands On U 🟣 All Variants (Complete List) Digital Variants • NPGMC Basic Membership download package • NPGMC Premium Membership download package • Free promotional downloads (audio + video) (No physical formats issued.) 🟣 Reissues & Global Variants • No reissues — content exclusive to NPGMC • Some tracks later appeared on compilations or streaming platforms • Ahdio Shows remain unreleased commercially 🟣 Production and Context • Prince oversaw all content creation and curation • NPG Ahdio Show #1 mixed by Prince and NPG engineers • Videos encoded in early‑2000s QuickTime (.mov) format • Represents Prince’s early adoption of direct‑to‑fan digital distribution • Platform later won a Webby Award for innovation 🟣 Singles Released • None — all content exclusive to NPGMC • U Make My Sun Shine later released as a commercial single (2001) 🟣 Chart Performance • No chart entries — digital‑only release outside traditional tracking systems 🟣 Mini Discography • NPGMC Edition #1 — February 2001 • NPGMC Edition #2 — March 2001 • NPGMC Edition #3 — April 2001 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • March–April 1991 — Initial recordings for When Eye Lay My Hands On U • 2000 — NPGMC development • 18 February 2001 — Edition #1 released • 2001 — Monthly Ahdio Shows continue 🟣 Glam Flashback • Edition #1 captures Prince at the dawn of his digital‑era independence — experimenting, curating, and releasing music directly to fans long before streaming platforms existed. 🟣 Tag Block #Prince #NPGMusicClub #AhdioShow #NPG #DigitalEra #NowSpinning #ArchivePost #PaisleyPark 🟣 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 NPG Music Club archives Contemporary fan documentation Ahdio Show #1 program notes 🟣 ALT TEXT (SEO) Screenshot of the NPG Music Club Tekadence Player interface showing the WNPG 777 broadcast window and menu options for Ahdio Show #1 and promotional downloads. 🟣 Excerpt Released on 18 February 2001, NPG Music Club Edition #1 introduced Prince’s subscription‑based digital platform with exclusive audio, video, and the debut of NPG Ahdio Show #1.

Debut solo album by Dale Bozzio, featuring the Prince‑written and recorded track “So Strong” A March 1988 Paisley Park release marking Dale’s only album for the label. 🟣 Summary Released in March 1988, Riot In English is the first solo studio album by Dale Bozzio, formerly of Missing Persons, and her only release on Paisley Park Records. The album includes So Strong, a track written and recorded by Prince and later re‑voiced by Dale. Prince also submitted The Latest Fashion and 2nd Thoughts, both rejected; 2nd Thoughts remains unreleased. The album produced two singles but did not chart. 🟣 Highlights • Released March 1988 • Includes Prince‑written and recorded So Strong • Additional Prince submissions rejected: The Latest Fashion, 2nd Thoughts • Dale later released another Prince‑involved track (Take Me To Your Leader, 2010) • Two singles issued: Simon Simon and Riot In English • No singles contained Prince material 🟣 Track Details (Full Tracklist) CD / LP / Cassette Simon Simon Giddi Up Baby – Be Mine Overtime So Strong — 4:28¹ Love Is Hard Work Riot In English He’s So Typical Ouch That Feels So Good The Perfect Stranger ¹Written and recorded by Prince. 🟣 Verified Release Variants (Grouped by Country) 🇦🇺 Australia LP – Album Paisley Park – 25599 1 1988 Cassette – Album Paisley Park – 25599 4 1988 🇨🇦 Canada LP – Album Paisley Park – 92 55991 1988 Cassette – Dolby HX Pro Paisley Park – 92 55994 1988 🇪🇺 Europe LP – Album Paisley Park – 925 599‑1 1988 CD – Album Paisley Park – 925 599‑2 1988 🇩🇪 Germany Cassette – Album Paisley Park – 925 599‑4 1988 🇯🇵 Japan CD – Album Paisley Park – 32XD‑976 1988 CD – Album, Reissue Paisley Park – WPCP‑3704 1990 LP – Album, Promo Paisley Park – P‑13650 1988 🇲🇽 Mexico LP – Album Warner Bros. Records – LWB‑6733 1988 🇺🇸 United States LP – Album (SRC – Specialty Pressing) Paisley Park – 9 25599‑1, 1‑25599 1988 LP – Album (Allied Pressing) Paisley Park – 9 25599‑1, 1‑25599 1988 CD – Album Paisley Park – 9 25599‑2 1988 Cassette – Album Paisley Park – 9 25599‑4, 4‑25599 1988 🟣 Reissues & Global Variants • Japan CD reissue (1990) • No official remasters • No expanded editions • No Paisley Park‑era reissues 🟣 Production and Context Prince recorded So Strong during the mid‑’80s and submitted it to Dale for the project. Two additional Prince tracks were offered but rejected. Dale later confirmed Prince had hoped to contribute more extensively. The album represents a brief intersection between Dale’s post–Missing Persons career and the late‑’80s Paisley Park roster. 🟣 Singles Released • Simon Simon • Riot In English (Neither includes Prince material.) 🟣 Chart Performance • No chart entries reported 🟣 Mini Discography • Missing Persons – Color In Your Life (1986) • Dale – Riot In English (1988) • Dale Bozzio – Make Love Not War (2010) 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • Mid‑1980s — Prince records So Strong • 1987 — Dale assembles album for Paisley Park • March 1988 — Album released • 2010 — Dale releases Take Me To Your Leader (Prince‑related) 🟣 Glam Flashback The album captures the neon‑bright, post‑new‑wave aesthetic of late‑’80s Paisley Park, with So Strong standing as the sole surviving Prince contribution from a brief but intriguing collaboration. #DaleBozzio #RiotInEnglish #Prince #PaisleyPark #1988 #NowSpinning #RecordCollectors #ArchivePost 🟣 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 verified catalogue entries Collector documentation

Debut album from the Brownmark‑led Paisley Park band, featuring three Prince‑written tracks A March 1986 release showcasing the darker, funk‑driven Minneapolis Sound of mid‑’80s Paisley Park. 🟣 Summary • Released 4 March 1986, Mazarati is the debut album by the Minneapolis band formed by Revolution bassist Brownmark and signed to Paisley Park Records. • The album includes three tracks written by Prince — 100 MPH, Strawberry Lover, and I Guess It’s All Over — all recorded by Mazarati without Prince’s direct studio involvement. • Produced by Brownmark and David Z., the album blends funk, rock, and dark synth textures characteristic of the 1985–86 Paisley Park sound. • Although not a major commercial success, the album has become a cult favourite among Prince collectors due to its deep Minneapolis Sound pedigree and Prince’s songwriting contributions. 🟣 Highlights • Released 4 March 1986 • Three Prince‑written tracks • Produced by Brownmark and David Z. • Released on Paisley Park Records • Cult Minneapolis Sound favourite 🟣 Track Details (Full Album Tracklist) LP / Cassette / CD — Worldwide (Paisley Park Records) Players’ Ball 100 MPH¹ Stroke Suzy Boy Strawberry Lover¹ I Guess It’s All Over¹ The Saga of a Man Lonely Heart She’s Just That Kind of Lady ¹Written by Prince. 🟣 All Variants (Complete List) LP – Album (Allied Record Company Pressing) Paisley Park – 9 25368‑1, 1‑25368 1986 LP – Album (Specialty Records Corporation Pressing) Paisley Park – 9 25368‑1, 1‑25368 1986 LP – Album (Misprint, Specialty Records Corporation) Paisley Park – 9 25368‑1, 1‑25368 1986 LP – Album, Club Edition (Carrollton Pressing) Paisley Park – 9 25368‑1, 1‑25368, W1‑25368 1986 LP – Album, Club Edition (RCA Music Service) Paisley Park – 9 25368‑1, 1‑25368 1986 Cassette – Album (SR) Paisley Park – 9 25368‑4, 4‑25368 1986 Cassette – Album, Club Edition Paisley Park – W4‑25368, 4‑25368 1986 CD – Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition (Unofficial) Paisley Park (2) – WBM 0127, World Beyond Music Inc. – WBM 0127 2004 (Unofficial release — not a Warner/Paisley Park product.) 🇪🇺 Europe LP – Album Paisley Park – 925 368‑1, 925368‑1 1986 (No European cassette or CD editions exist.) 🇨🇦 Canada LP – Album Paisley Park – 92 53681 1986 🇯🇵 Japan LP – Album Paisley Park – P‑13235 1986 LP – Album, Promo Paisley Park – P‑13235 1986 CD – Album, Reissue Paisley Park – WPCP‑3707 1990 CD – Album, Promo, Reissue Paisley Park – WPCP‑3707 (Warner Bros. Records – WPCP‑3707) 1990 🟣 Production and Context • Band created by Brownmark following his tenure with The Revolution • Prince contributed three songs but did not participate in recording • David Z. engineered and co‑produced, shaping the album’s dense, percussive sound • Represents the darker, more experimental side of mid‑’80s Paisley Park output • Album sessions took place in late 1985 🟣 Singles Released • 100 MPH — only single with Prince involvement • Players’ Ball • Stroke 🟣 Chart Performance • No major chart entries reported • Album developed a strong cult following over time 🟣 Mini Discography • Mazarati — 1986 • Mazarati 2 — 1989 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • 1985 — Prince submits songs for the project • Late 1985 — Recording sessions at Paisley Park • 4 March 1986 — Album released 🟣 Glam Flashback • Mazarati stands as one of the most distinctive non‑Prince albums to emerge from Paisley Park in the mid‑’80s, blending funk, rock, and dark synth textures with three unmistakably Prince‑crafted compositions. #Mazarati #Prince #PaisleyPark #MinneapolisSound #1986 #NowSpinning #RecordCollectors #ArchivePost 🟣 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 Paisley Park discography archives Collector documentation

Prince transforms a Minneapolis street dance into an 8‑minute funk marathon A definitive early‑’80s club release expanding one of Controversy’s most infectious grooves 🟣 Summary • Released in the United States on February 17, 1982, the Let’s Work (Dance Remix) 12" single delivered the full‑length, 8‑minute expansion of one of Prince’s most irresistible early dance tracks. • The song began life as “Let’s Rock,” inspired by a Minneapolis dance craze known as the Rock. • Warner Bros. initially refused to release it, leading Prince to rework it into “Let’s Work” for Controversy. • The US 12" became the definitive extended version, featuring instrumental breaks, keyboard solos, samples from “Controversy” and “Annie Christian,” and Morris Day on drums. • It also marked Prince’s first US single with a non‑album B‑side, the Dirty Mind‑era “Gotta Stop (Messin’ About).” 🟣 Highlights • Released February 17, 1982 (USA) • Second single from Controversy • Features the 8:02 Dance Remix (Long Version) • First US Prince single with a non‑album B‑side • Morris Day plays drums on the extended version • Strong chart performance across Disco, Soul, and Bubbling Under charts • Originated from a Minneapolis dance called “the Rock” 🟣 Track Details 12" – US/Canada (DWBS 50028) A. Let’s Work (Dance Remix) — 8:02 B. Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) — 2:55 US Promo 12" – PRO‑A‑1004 A. Let’s Work (Dance Remix – Long Version) — 8:02 B. Let’s Work (7" Single Version) — 2:56 🟣 All Variants (Complete List) Commercial 12" – DWBS 50028 • Dance Remix 8:02 • Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) 2:55 Promo 12" – PRO‑A‑1004 • Dance Remix (Long Version) 8:02 • 7" Single Version 2:56 🟣 Reissues & Global Variants • UK 12" editions exist with different B‑sides (handled separately) • US promo includes unique pairing of Long Version + 7" Version • No picture disc or colored vinyl editions 🟣 Production and Context • Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince • Built on a tight, funky bassline and shouted chorus • Lyrics equate “working” with sexual playfulness • Extended version includes Morris Day on drums, samples from “Controversy” and “Annie Christian,” and additional lyrics • Performed live throughout the Controversy and 1999 tours 🟣 Singles Released • Let’s Work — November 1981 (US 7") • Let’s Work (Dance Remix) — February 17, 1982 (US 12") 🟣 Chart Performance (USA) • Billboard Disco Top 80 (with “Controversy”) — No. 1 (6 weeks), 30 weeks total • Billboard Hot Soul Singles — No. 9, 16 weeks • Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 — No. 104, 3 weeks 🟣 ALT TEXT (SEO) US 12" single artwork for Prince’s “Let’s Work (Dance Remix)” featuring Prince and band posed against a graffiti‑covered wall. 🟣 Mini Discography • Controversy — 1981 • Let’s Work (7") — 1981 • Let’s Work (Dance Remix 12") — 1982 • Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) — 1981/1982 🟣 Mini‑Timeline • Late 1981 — “Let’s Work” released as second Controversy single • February 17, 1982 — US 12" Dance Remix released • 1982 — Strong US dance and R&B chart run 🟣 Glam Flashback • The Let’s Work 12" captures Prince at his early‑’80s peak — lean, funky, mischievous, and relentlessly dance‑driven. • What began as a Minneapolis street dance became a national club anthem, expanded into an 8‑minute workout that still feels alive, sweaty, and irresistible. • With its minimalist B‑side and extended grooves, this single marks the moment Prince fully embraced the dancefloor as his playground. 🟣 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 Wikipedia Discogs