Gold Nigga is the first ’solo' album by the New Power Generation (who had previously been credited on the Prince and the New Power Generation albums Diamonds And Pearls and  ). It was also the first album to be released by NPG Records, before the closure of Paisley Park Records.
Sessions and compling
The album was first developed as a concept in early 1992, and first worked on in April 1992, when Goldnigga, Deuce & A Quarter and Goldie’s Parade were recorded at Studios 301, Sydney, Australia, during Australian dates on the Diamonds And Pearls Tour. Most other tracks were recorded at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, later in 1992 following the end of the tour. 2gether was the last track recorded for the album, in May 1993, and the previously-recorded tracks Call The Law and Johnny, from late 1991, were also added to the album.
While Tony M. is featured as the lead vocalist, Prince can be heard at various points on the album, and was heavily involved in writing, producing and performing on the album (uncredited). A second pressing of the album removed the track Guess Who’s Knockin’, which borrows heavily from the Wings song Let ’Em In (written by Paul McCartney, from the 1976 album Wings At The Speed Of Sound). It is unclear if this was a result of some action by McCartney, or simply that Prince realized it was borrowed (in the same way as when Cat’s rap was removed from Positivity).
The album was compiled by Prince, but most of the band members were unaware of this final sequence and were not pleased with its unexpected release.
Promotion
The album was first available at retail stalls on the Act II tour, beginning with the 31 August 1993, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France tourdate. It was later sold at The New Power Generation Stores in Minneapolis and London, but there was no wider retail release and did not chart.
The album produced one single, 2gether, which received a similarly small-scale release as the album. Because of the album’s low-key release, it was not eligible for the charts.
While likely only coincidental, it is noteworthy that the single Pink Cashmere by Prince (his first using his solo name since 1990’s New Power Generation) was released on the same day Gold Nigga went on sale at Act II tourdates, highlighting the idea that Prince and the New Power Generation were now separate entities (which was, in reality, far from true).
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