Difference between revisions of "Album: Welcome 2 America"

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{{Unreleased-Album|
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{{Album|
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<!------ ALBUM TABLE -------->
 
|album name            = Welcome 2 America
 
|album name            = Welcome 2 America
|album image            = [[File:Unreleased project.png]]
+
|album image            = [[Image:Welcome2america.jpg|200px|Welcome 2 America album artwork]]
|date                  = 2011
+
|date                  = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 30|30 July, 2021]]
|label                  = [[NPG Records]]  
+
|length                = 54:21 (studio album only)
|studios                = [[Paisley Park Studios]], Chanhassen, MN, USA (assumed)
+
|label                  = [[NPG Records|NPG Records, Inc.]] under exclusive license to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_Recordings Legacy Recordings]
|previous year          = 2010
+
|studios                = [[Paisley Park Studios]], Chanhassen, MN, USA
|previous album        = Album: 20Ten Deluxe
+
<!------ ALBUM CHRONOLOGY -------->
|previous album link    = [[Album: 20Ten Deluxe|20Ten Deluxe]]
+
|previous year          = 2020
|next year              = 2016
+
|previous album        = Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe
|next album             = Album: Piano & A Microphone
+
|previous album link    = [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]
|next album link        = [[Album: Piano & A Microphone|Piano & A Microphone]]
+
|previous image        = Image: sottDeluxe.jpg
|introduction          = '''Welcome 2 America''' is an unreleased album by [[Prince]], tentatively planned for release in 2011, likely as a follow-up to [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]] and in conjunction with the [[Welcome 2 America Tour]], which ran from December 2010 to May 2011.
+
|next year              = None
 +
|next image             = Image:NoPreviousAlbum.png
 +
|next album            = None
 +
|next album link        = [[Full_Discography|See Full Discography]]
 +
<!-------ALBUM TEXT ------->
 +
|introduction          = '''Welcome 2 America''' is the first full previously-unreleased studio album of [[Prince]] material to be released posthumously, and the tenth posthumous album release overall. Recorded in 2010, the album was tentatively planned for release in 2011, likely as a follow-up to [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]] and in conjunction with the [[Welcome 2 America Tour]], which ran from December 2010 to May 2011. The album was abandoned at the time for unknown reasons, however. If released at that time, it would have been [[Prince]]’s 36th full-length studio album. The posthumous release makes use of what’s believed to be the final configuration of the album. Contrary to some previous releases by [[The Prince Estate]], there was no technical necessity to do new mixes of the songs.
 +
 
 +
A deluxe edition of the album includes a blu-ray video of the [[28 April 2011|28 April 2011: The Forum: Inglewood, CA, USA]] show on the [[Welcome 2 America Tour]] (part of the "Twenty One Nite Stand" in California).
  
  
 
<b>Sessions and compiling</b>
 
<b>Sessions and compiling</b>
  
The tracks tentatively planned for inclusion on the album were recorded in 2010 and early 2011, although specific recording dates are not known. [[Hot Summer]] and [[Stand Up And B Strong]] are known to have been recorded in Spring 2010 (before the release of the [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]] album), and may have been the earliest tracks recorded for this album, but this is unconfirmed.
+
The bulk of the album was recorded by [[Prince]] with [[Chris Coleman]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Wilkenfeld Tal Wilkenfeld] in about a week and a half of recording at [[Paisley Park Studios]], Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA, from [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March_10|10 March 2010]] to [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March_19|19 March 2010]]. Additional recordings with [[Shelby J.]], [[Liv Warfield]], [[Elisa Dease]] and [[Morris Hayes]] took place during the Spring.
  
[[Black Muse]] and [[Cause And Effect]] are two more tracks assumed to have been recorded around the same time but it’s unclear if they were at any point slated for inclusion on the album.
+
[[Black Muse]] is assumed to have been recorded around the same time but it’s unclear if it was at any point slated for inclusion on the album.
 +
 
 +
The released version was built from three reference CDs found by [[The Prince Estate]] in 2019, each containing different configurations of the album. [[Morris Hayes]] was commissioned to build the final tracklist from these three cds. The official version is similar to one of the configuration which also included [[Cause And Effect]]. It was decided not to retain this song for the final version because it was attached to the [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]] album ([[Prince]] quotes titles from this album in the lyrics).
  
  
 
<b>Musicians input</b>
 
<b>Musicians input</b>
  
While musical credits are not known for many of the album’s tracks (specifically [[Born 2 Die]], [[Check The Record]], [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Owner)]], [[Stand Up And B Strong]] and [[Welcome 2 America]]), it is clear that the album contained more contributions from others than its predecessor, [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]]. Background singers including [[Shelby J.]], [[Liv Warfield]] and [[Elisa Dease]], who had been present throughout [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]], appeared on [[Same Page Different Book]] and [[Welcome 2 America]], with [[Shelby J.]] providing a rap on the former track. [[Elisa Dease]] also provides co-lead vocals on [[Stand Up And B Strong]]. [[Andy Allo]] is believed to appear on background vocals on the [[1,000 Light Years From Here]] (although since she joined [[Prince]]’s band in May 2011, it’s possible that her vocals on the released version were added after the album project was abandoned). Drummer [[Chris Coleman]] and bass guitarist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Wilkenfeld Tal Wilkenfeld] appear on [[Hot Summer]].
+
'''Welcome 2 America''' contains more contributions from others than its predecessor, [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]] and is a band-oriented album, with musicians and/or vocalists appearing on all tracks. Drummer [[Chris Coleman]] and bass guitarist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Wilkenfeld Tal Wilkenfeld] make their only appearances on a [[Prince]] album. [[Shelby J.]], [[Liv Warfield]] and [[Elisa Dease]], who had been present throughout [[Album: 20Ten|20Ten]], appear on all of the songs except [[When She Comes]]. [[Shelby J.]] is also the co-lead vocalist on [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]] and provides a rap on [[Same Page, Different Book]]. [[Morris Hayes]] co-produced half of the songs of the album. [[1010 (Rin Tin Tin)]] is the only song to feature [[Prince]] as the sole musician (with [[Shelby J.]], [[Liv Warfield]] and [[Elisa Dease]] on backing vocals). [[John Blackwell]] plays drums on [[1000 Light Years From Here]].
  
  
 
<b>Track releases</b>
 
<b>Track releases</b>
  
[[Hot Summer]] was premiered on Minnesota public radio station [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/ 89.3 The Current’s website] on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 7|7 June 2010]], [[Prince]]’s 52nd birthday, prior to the album’s intended release. [[Same Page Different Book]] was streamed as audio only over a static video on [[3rd_Eye_Girl_Streams|3rd Eye Girl YouTube channel]] in January 2013. [[1,000 Light Years From Here]] was released in 2015 on [[Album: Hitnrun Phase Two|Hitnrun Phase Two]], included in full as a 3:05 coda to the track [[Black Muse]] (as such, the title [[1,000 Light Years From Here]] is not used on the album’s tracklist). [[When She Comes]] was also released on [[Album: Hitnrun Phase Two|Hitnrun Phase Two]], although the version intended for '''Welcome 2 America''' was more stripped-down, with just piano and not the accordion used on the released version.
+
[[Hot Summer]] was premiered on Minnesota public radio station [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/ 89.3 The Current’s website] on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 7|7 June 2010]], [[Prince]]’s 52nd birthday, prior to the album’s intended release. [[Same Page, Different Book]] was streamed as audio only over a static video on [[3rd_Eye_Girl_Streams|3rd Eye Girl YouTube channel]] in January 2013 (as [[Same Page Different Book]]). [[1000 Light Years From Here]] was released in an entirely different form (with new lyrics and arrangements) in 2015 on [[Album: Hitnrun Phase Two|Hitnrun Phase Two]], included in full as a 3:05 coda to the track [[Black Muse]] (as such, the title [[1000 Light Years From Here]] is not used on the album’s tracklist). An alternate recording of [[When She Comes]] with different verses was also released on [[Album: Hitnrun Phase Two|Hitnrun Phase Two]].
  
|format                = CD (assumed)
+
 
|tracklisting          = Nine tracks are known to have been slated for the project at some point, although there is no exact tracklist or sequence known. In alphabetical order these tracks are:
+
<b>Promotion</b>
*<b>[[1,000 Light Years From Here]] </b>
+
 
*<b>[[Born 2 Die]] </b>
+
The album was announced and available to pre-order on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 8|8 April, 2021]]. The title track, [[Welcome 2 America]], was made available on streaming and download platforms, and a 55-second promo video was made available to promote the set. The accompanying vinyl single, [[Single: Welcome 2 America|Welcome 2 America]] with an exclusive live b-side was also announced on the official website. [[Born 2 Die]] was also made available for download as a preview two months before the release of the album. A second teaser was made available through [[Hot Summer]], released on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 22|22 July 2021]]. A 7" single of [[Single:_Hot_Summer|the song]] was included as a cover mount with the August 2021 edition of Rolling Stone magazine in Germany.
*<b>[[Check The Record]] </b>
+
 
*<b>[[Hot Summer]] </b>
+
[[The Prince Estate]] and [http://www.thecurrent.org/ The Current] radio-station produced an four-part podcast series, presented by Minneapolis Music journalist Andrea Swensson, [[Shelby J.]] and [[Morris Hayes]] titled “Prince: The Story of Welcome 2 America”. In this audio-documentary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Wilkenfeld Tal Wilkenfeld], [[Chris Coleman]], [[Elisa Fiorillo]] and [[Liv Warfield]], among others, share stories about the making-of the album.
*<b>[[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Owner)]]</b>
+
 
*<b>[[Same Page Different Book]] </b>
+
 
*<b>[[Stand Up And B Strong]] </b>
+
<b>Charts</b>
*<b>[[Welcome 2 America]] </b>
+
 
*<b>[[When She Comes]] </b>
+
The album reached position 7 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and 70 on the Billboard 200. It failed to reach top 10 positions in Europe, Australia and Japan.
|credits                = All songs written by [[Prince]] (assumed), except for [[Stand Up And B Strong]], which is a Soul Asylum cover, written by David Pirner.
+
 
|* comment              =
+
The album entered [[Billboard Top R&B Albums]] at number 1 and at number 4 on the [[The Billboard 200]] chart.
 +
<!-------TRACK LIST ------->
 +
|tracklisting          = <small>The compact disc and digital versions are the original issue.</small>
 +
#<b>[[Welcome 2 America]]</b> (5:23)
 +
#<b>[[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]]</b> (4:05)
 +
#<b>[[Born 2 Die]]</b> (5:03)
 +
#<b>[[1000 Light Years From Here]]</b> (5:46)
 +
#<b>[[Hot Summer]]</b> (3:32)
 +
#<b>[[Stand Up And B Strong]]</b> (5:18)<sup>1</sup>
 +
#<b>[[Check The Record]]</b> (3:28)
 +
#<b>[[Same Page, Different Book]]</b> (4:41) <sup>2</sup>
 +
#<b>[[When She Comes]]</b> (4:46)
 +
#<b>[[1010 (Rin Tin Tin)]]</b> (4:42)
 +
#<b>[[Yes-2010|Yes]]</b> (2:56)
 +
#<b>[[One Day We Will All B Free]]</b> (4:41)
 +
 
 +
|credits                = All songs written by [[Prince]] except where noted.<br>
 +
|* comment              = <small>
 +
<sup>1</sup> Written by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Pirner Dave Pirner]<br>
 +
<sup>2</sup> Lyrics co-written by [[Shelby J.]]<br>
 +
<sup>3</sup> Written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Batson Mark Batson], Shannon Sanders and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India.Arie India.Arie]<br>
 +
<sup>4</sup> Written by [[Prince]], [[Lisa Coleman]], [[Matt Fink|Dr. Fink]], [[Wendy Melvoin]]<br>
 +
<sup>5</sup> Written by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teena_Marie Mary Christine Brockert]<br>
 +
<sup>6</sup> Written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Whitfield Norman Whitfield]<br>
 +
<sup>7</sup> Written by [[Jimmy Jam]], [[Terry Lewis]] and (uncredited) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Jackson Janet Jackson]<br>
 +
<sup>8</sup> Written by [[Larry Graham]]<br>
 +
<sup>9</sup> Written by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan Bob Dylan]<br>
 +
<sup>10</sup> Written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Montgomery_(songwriter) Bob Montgomery]<br>
 +
<sup>11</sup> Written by [[Morris Day]], [[Prince]], and (uncredited) [[Jesse Johnson]]<br>
 +
<sup>12</sup> Written by [[Sheila E.]] and [[Prince]]<br>
 +
<sup>13</sup> Written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Parissi Robert Parissi]<br>
 +
<sup>14</sup> Written by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_%22Kool%22_Bell Robert "Kool" Bell], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Bell_(musician) Ronald Bell], George M. Brown, Robert "Spikes" Mickens, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claydes_Charles_Smith Claydes Charles Smith], Dennis R. Thomas, Richard A. Westfield<br>
 +
<sup>15</sup> Written by Fred Alexander Jr., Norman Beavers, Marvin Craig, Fred Lewis, Tiemeyer McCain, Thomas Shelby, Steve Shockley, Otis Stokes, and Mark Adam Wood, Jr.<br>
 +
<sup>16</sup> Written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Ferry Bryan Ferry]<br>
 +
</small>
 +
|other format            = LP
 +
|content                =
 +
Side A:
 +
:A1 <b>[[Welcome 2 America]]</b> (5:23)                 
 +
:A2 <b>[[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]]</b> (4:05)
 +
:A3 <b>[[Born 2 Die]]</b> (5:03)
 +
:A4 <b>[[1000 Light Years From Here]]</b> (5:46)
 +
Side B:
 +
:B1 <b>[[Hot Summer]]</b> (3:32)
 +
:B2 <b>[[Stand Up And B Strong]]</b> (5:18)<sup>1</sup>
 +
:B3 <b>[[Check The Record]]</b> (3:28)
 +
:B4 <b>[[Same Page, Different Book]]</b> (4:41)
 +
Side C: 
 +
:C1 <b>[[When She Comes]]</b> (4:46)
 +
:C2 <b>[[1010 (Rin Tin Tin)]]</b> (4:42)
 +
:C3 <b>[[Yes-2010|Yes]]</b> (2:56)
 +
:C4 <b>[[One Day We Will All B Free]]</b> (4:41)
 +
Side D:
 +
''Etching''
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
'''Blu-ray: Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011''' - ''available on Deluxe (2LP + 1CD + Blu-ray) set and a Japanese edition (1CD + Blu-ray) only''
 +
# <b>[[Joy In Repetition]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[Brown Skin]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>3</sup>
 +
# <b>[[17 Days]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>4</sup> <small> (contains unlisted lyrics from [[Lovergirl]] <sup>5</sup>)</small>
 +
# <b>[[Shhh]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[Controversy]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[(Theme_Song_From)_Which_Way_Is_Up%3F|Theme From "Which Way Is Up"]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>6</sup>
 +
# <b>[[What Have You Done For Me Lately]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>7</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Partyman]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[It’s Alright]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>8</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Make You Feel My Love]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>9</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Misty Blue]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>10</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Let’s Go Crazy]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[Delirious]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[1999]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[Little Red Corvette]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[Purple Rain]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[The Bird]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>11</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Jungle Love]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>11</sup>
 +
# <b>[[A Love Bizarre]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>12</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Kiss]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
 +
# <b>[[Play That Funky Music]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>13</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Hollywood Swinging|Hollywood Swingin’]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>14</sup>
 +
# <b>[[Fantastic Voyage]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>15</sup>
 +
# <b>[[More Than This]]</b> (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)<sup>16</sup>
 +
<!-------PERSONNEL ------->
 
|musicians              = [[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
 
|musicians              = [[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
*[[Ida Nielsen]] bass guitar on unconfirmed tracks (assumed)
+
*[[Chris Coleman]] - drums on [[Welcome 2 America]], [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]], [[Born 2 Die]], [[Hot Summer]], [[Stand Up And B Strong]], [[Check The Record]], [[Same Page, Different Book]], [[When She Comes]] and [[Yes-2010|Yes]].
*[[Michael B. Nelson]] - trombone, horn arrangement on [[1,000 Light Years From Here]]
+
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Wilkenfeld Tal Wilkenfeld] - bass guitar on [[Welcome 2 America]], [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]], [[Born 2 Die]], [[Hot Summer]], [[Stand Up And B Strong]], [[Check The Record]], [[Same Page, Different Book]], [[When She Comes]], [[Yes-2010|Yes]] and [[One Day We Will All B Free]]
*[[Steve Strand]] - trumpet on [[1,000 Light Years From Here]]
+
*[[Morris Hayes]] - keyboards and percussion on [[Welcome 2 America]], [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]], [[Same Page, Different Book]], keyboards, strings and percussion on [[Born 2 Die]], keyboards, percussion and drum machine on [[Check The Record]], keyboards on [[Hot Summer]].
*[[Dave Jensen]] - trumpet on [[1,000 Light Years From Here]]
+
*[[Shelby J.]] - co-lead vocals on [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]], backing vocals and rap on [[Same Page, Different Book]], backing vocals on [[Welcome 2 America]], [[Born 2 Die]], [[1000 Light Years From Here]], [[Hot Summer]], [[Stand Up And B Strong]], [[Check The Record]], [[1010 (Rin Tin Tin)]], [[Yes-2010|Yes]] and [[One Day We Will All B Free]]
*[[Kenni Holmen]] - tenor sax, flute on [[1,000 Light Years From Here]]
+
*[[Elisa Dease]] - background vocals on [[Welcome 2 America]], [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]], [[Born 2 Die]], [[1000 Light Years From Here]], [[Hot Summer]], [[Check The Record]], [[Same Page, Different Book]], [[1010 (Rin Tin Tin)]], [[Yes-2010|Yes]] and [[One Day We Will All B Free]], co-lead vocals on [[Stand Up And B Strong]]
*[[Kathy Jensen]] - baritone sax, clarinet on [[1,000 Light Years From Here]]
+
*[[Liv Warfield]] - background vocals on [[Welcome 2 America]], [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]], [[Born 2 Die]], [[1000 Light Years From Here]], [[Hot Summer]], [[Stand Up And B Strong]], [[Check The Record]], [[Same Page, Different Book]], [[1010 (Rin Tin Tin)]], [[Yes-2010|Yes]] and [[One Day We Will All B Free]]
*[[Andy Allo]] – background vocals on [[1,000 Light Years From Here]]
+
*[[John Blackwell]] - drums on [[1000 Light Years From Here]]
*[[Chris Coleman]] – drums on [[Hot Summer]]
+
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tal_Wilkenfeld Tal Wilkenfeld] – bass guitar  on [[Hot Summer]]
+
<br>
*[[Shelby J.]] - background vocals on [[Same Page Different Book]] and [[Welcome 2 America]] (assumed)
+
'''Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011 (Blu-ray) '''
*[[Elisa Dease]] - background vocals on [[Same Page Different Book]], [[Stand Up And B Strong]] and [[Welcome 2 America]] (assumed)
+
*[[Prince]] - vocals, guitar, bass, (sampler) keyboard)
*[[Liv Warfield]] - background vocals on [[Hot Summer]], [[Same Page Different Book]] and [[Welcome 2 America]] (assumed)
+
*[[John Blackwell]] - drums
|production            = [[Prince]] - producer (assumed)
+
*[[Ida Nielsen]] - bass, vocals
 +
*[[Morris Hayes]] - keyboards
 +
*[[Renato Neto]] - keyboards
 +
*[[Cassandra O’Neal]] - keyboards, vocals
 +
*[[Shelby J.]] - vocals
 +
*[[Elisa Dease]] - vocals
 +
*[[Liv Warfield]] - vocals
 +
*[[Maya McClean]] - dance
 +
*[[Nandy McClean]] - dance
 +
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ledisi Ledisi] – vocals (on [[Partyman]]/[[It’s Alright]] only)
 +
|production            = [[Prince]] - producer
 +
*[[Mr. Hayes]] - co-producer on [[Welcome 2 America]], [[Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master)]], [[Born 2 Die]], [[Hot Summer]], [[Check The Record]] and [[Same Page, Different Book]], mixing on [[Check The Record]]
 +
*[http://www.jasonagel.com Jason Agel] – engineer
 +
*Dave Isaac – engineer on [[Born 2 Die]]
 +
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Grundman Bernie Grundman] - mastering and audio enhancement
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Archival Production / A&R: [[Kirk Johnson]], Michael Howe & Trevor Guy <br>
 +
*Art Direction & Design: Mathieu Bitton and Trevor Guy<br>
 +
*Photography: Mike Ruiz, Kevin Mazur, Brian Ach, Randee St. Nicholas and Prince
 +
<br>
 +
|thanks                  =
 +
'''Thanks to:'''Andrea Swensson, Angelina Capodanno, Angelo Schifano, Duane Tudahl, Gretchen Brennison, John Conroy, Kiran Sharma, President Nelson, Richard Alcock, Ryan Supple, Roald Bakker, Teri Eastwood Molls and Zach Hochkeppel <br>
 +
*'''Very Special Thanks to:''' Alfred Jackson (In Memoriam), John R. Nelson, Norrine P. Nelson, Omarr Baker, Sharon L. Nelson, Tyka, and all Prince Fams (and Fans) worldwide.
 +
<!-------SINGLES ------->
 +
|singles                =
 +
{{AlbumSingles|
 +
|singles =
 +
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
 +
|Single = [[Single: Welcome 2 America|Welcome 2 America]]<br>''[[Prince.com]] exclusive''
 +
|B-side = [[Dreamer]] / [[Welcome 2 America]] (Live, 14 May 2011)
 +
|Image  = Welcome2america_single.jpg
 +
|Link  = Single: Welcome 2 America
 +
}}
 +
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
 +
|Single = [[Single: Hot Summer|Hot Summer]]<br>''Rolling Stone Germany exclusive''
 +
|B-side = [[The Bird]] (Live, 28 April 2011)
 +
|Image  = Hotsummer single.jpg
 +
|Link  = Single: Hot Summer
 +
}}
 +
}}
 
|see also              =  
 
|see also              =  
 
{{SeeAlso|
 
{{SeeAlso|
 
|item1  = [[Welcome 2 America Tour]]
 
|item1  = [[Welcome 2 America Tour]]
|image1  = [[Image:Prince-W2Abanner.png|60px|link=Welcome 2 America Tour]]
+
|image1  = [[Image:W2A-Tour pass.png|60px|link=Welcome 2 America Tour]]
 
|item2  = [[Album: Hitnrun Phase Two|Hitnrun Phase Two]]
 
|item2  = [[Album: Hitnrun Phase Two|Hitnrun Phase Two]]
|image2  = [[File:Hitnrun_PHASEII_album.jpg|60px|link=Album: Hitnrun Phase Two]]
+
|image2  = [[File: Hitnrun_PHASEII_album.jpg|60px|link=Album: Hitnrun Phase Two]]
}}|trivia                =  
+
}}
 +
|charts        =
 +
{{Charts|
 +
|charts        =
 +
{{ChartLine-3|text= iTunes}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''':
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 20 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''Canada''':
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 14 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''Australia''':
 +
| Peak Position  = '''1'''
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 14 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''UK''':
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 15 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''Germany''':
 +
| Peak Position  = 3
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 31 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''France''':
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 22 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''Spain''':
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 6 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 30 July 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''Italy''':
 +
| Peak Position  = 6
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 18 (days)
 +
}}
 +
{{Chart-Blank}}
 +
{{ChartLine-3|text= America}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 Aug. 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The Billboard 200]]
 +
| Peak Position  = 4
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 2
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 Aug. 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 1
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 Aug. 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[Billboard Top R&B Albums]]
 +
| Peak Position  = '''1'''
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 2
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 Aug. 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Top Current Albums
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 7
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 Aug. 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Tastemaker Albums
 +
| Peak Position  = 3
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 3
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 Aug. 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Top Album Sales
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 7
 +
}}
 +
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 Aug. 2021
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': Billboard Vinyl Albums
 +
| Peak Position  = 2
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 2
 +
}}
 +
|certifications = {{noCertification|format=album|Country= the USA}}
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|album promotion        = The album was announced and available to pre-order on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 8|8 April, 2021]]. The title track, [[Welcome 2 America]], was made available on streaming and download platforms, and a 55-second promo video was made available to promote the set. The accompanying vinyl single, [[Single: Welcome 2 America|Welcome 2 America]] with an exclusive live b-side was also announced on the official website.
 +
* The [https://store.prince.com/product/5QLPPR064/welcome-2-america-deluxe-2lp-1cd-bluray?cp=103229_109595 promotional description] of the set reads:
 +
:''Recorded in the spring of 2010 and then mysteriously archived by Prince before its release, the statement album Welcome 2 America documents Prince’s concerns, hopes, and visions for a shifting society, presciently foreshadowing an era of political division, disinformation, and a renewed fight for racial justice. The album features some of Prince’s only studio collaborations with the bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, drummer Chris Coleman, and engineer Jason Agel, with additional contributions from New Power Generation singers Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa Fiorillo and keyboardist Morris Hayes, who Prince also recruited to co-produce the album.''
 +
 
 +
* The [https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2021/04/08/the-prince-estate-in-partnership-with-legacy-recordings-announce-welcome-2-america/ Sony Legacy press release] of the album reads:
 +
:''The release of Welcome 2 America builds upon the partnership between The Prince Estate and Sony Music Entertainment that started in August of 2018. At that time, Sony began globally distributing the works of Prince released from 1995-2010, broadening its scope in January 2021 when the deal was expanded to include U.S. distribution on twelve non-soundtrack catalog albums featuring iconic music recorded by the Artist between 1978-1996.''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
:''The Deluxe Edition of Welcome 2 America combines the 2LP and CD versions of the album with a never before released Blu-Ray of Prince’s full April 28, 2011 performance at the Forum, part of the Welcome 2 America Tour’s historic 21 Nite Stand in Los Angeles. The show is presented in stereo, 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos, and includes 24 tracks from across Prince’s career, from his biggest hits to fan favorites to ten rare covers. In addition, the deluxe edition features a 32 Page, 12x12 book, exclusive poster and an embossed vellum envelope of limited edition memorabilia all housed in a luxe, gold embossed package. Experienced as a complete package, the Deluxe Edition provides an immersive view of Prince’s creative genius during his spontaneous, energetic, and thought-provoking Welcome 2 America era.''
 +
* American CBS TV show [https://www.cbsnews.com/video/new-prince-album-to-be-released-will-debut-on-60-minutes/?fbclid=IwAR27J1GZZfz99NtVuTnGovgcblqwDl7uRsOpb3HgUybQOx0PIcqxaOc1nzk 60 Minutes] has announced that they will debut tracks from the album on their 11 April 2021 show.
 +
|trivia                = '''Welcome 2 America''' is the first record of previously unreleased music issued by [[The Prince Estate]] with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_Recordings Sony’s Legacy Recording]. Their partnership started in August of 2018 with reissues of albums initially released by [[Prince]] between 1995 and 2010 ([[Album: The Versace Experience (Prelude 2 Gold)|The Versace Experience (Prelude 2 Gold)]], [[Album: Chaos And Disorder|Chaos And Disorder]], [[Album: Emancipation|Emancipation]], [[Album: The Truth|The Truth]], [[Album: Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic|Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic]], [[Album: Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic|Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic]], [[Album: The Rainbow Children|The Rainbow Children]], [[Album: One Nite Alone...|One Nite Alone...]], [[Album: One Nite Alone... Live!|One Nite Alone... Live!]], [[Album:_One_Nite_Alone..._The_Aftershow:_It_Ain’t_Over|One Nite Alone... The Aftershow: It Ain’t Over!]]? [[Album: Musicology|Musicology]], [[Album: 3121|3121]] and [[Album: Planet Earth|Planet Earth]] albums).
 
|alternative            =  
 
|alternative            =  
 
|references            =  
 
|references            =  
|categories            = [[Category:2011]][[Category:Unreleased Albums]]
+
<b>Preorder(s)</b>
 +
: [https://store.prince.com/dept/welcome-2-america Prince.com]
 +
: [https://www.target.com/p/prince-welcome-2-america-target-exclusive-vinyl/-/A-82776611?fbclid=IwAR2UZ5KlGP5puFcgSehr-Esl8daF_WYcASudAfj3jUm2MyRjBNrAZZpZc78# Target exclusive edition]
 +
* <b>Podcast:</b>
 +
: [https://smartlink.ausha.co/violet/welcome-2-america-le-monde-selon-prince?fbclid=IwAR1MTWZLo7iMLFCrpeMyAbPdhEIpvEvEa3pghyfcXdKedZbY7adoa4CBa0Q '''‎Welcome 2 America - Le Monde selon Prince with Mathieu Bitton & Morris Hayes''' on ''Violet - Le Podcast sur Prince et le Minneapolis Sound'' (30 July 2021)]
 +
* <b>Press:</b>
 +
: [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/prince-welcome-2-america-lost-album-oral-history-1192233/ '''Welcome 2 America: The Oral History of Prince’s Lost Album''' by ''David Browne'' (Rollingstone.com: 14 July 2021)]
 +
*<b>Releases:</b>
 +
: To be completed.
 +
|categories            = [[Category:2021]][[Category:Albums (Prince)]][[Category:Studio albums (Prince)]][[Category:Posthumous releases (Prince)]][[Category:Posthumous albums (Prince)]]
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 06:32, 26 September 2021

SottDeluxe.jpg 2020: Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums None: See Full Discography NoPreviousAlbum.png
Welcome 2 America

Welcome 2 America album artwork

Album details


Released: 30 July, 2021
Length: 54:21 (studio album only)
Label(s): NPG Records, Inc. under exclusive license to Legacy Recordings
Studio(s): Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA

Charts, Certifications & Awards


Charts
iTunes
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: 30 July 2021 2 20 (days)
Canada: 30 July 2021 2 14 (days)
Australia: 30 July 2021 1 14 (days)
UK: 30 July 2021 2 15 (days)
Germany: 30 July 2021 3 31 (days)
France: 30 July 2021 2 22 (days)
Spain: 30 July 2021 2 6 (days)
Italy: 30 July 2021 6 18 (days)
 
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: The Billboard 200 14 Aug. 2021 4 2
USA: Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums 14 Aug. 2021 2 1
USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums 14 Aug. 2021 1 2
USA: Billboard Top Current Albums 14 Aug. 2021 2 7
USA: Billboard Tastemaker Albums 14 Aug. 2021 3 3
USA: Billboard Top Album Sales 14 Aug. 2021 2 7
USA: Billboard Vinyl Albums 14 Aug. 2021 2 2
Certifications
This album has not received any certifications in the USA
Awards
This album has not received any awards in the USA

Singles released


Welcome 2 America
Prince.com exclusive

b/w Dreamer / Welcome 2 America (Live, 14 May 2011)
Welcome2america single.jpg
Hot Summer
Rolling Stone Germany exclusive

b/w The Bird (Live, 28 April 2011)
Hotsummer single.jpg

See also


Welcome 2 America Tour Hitnrun Phase Two
W2A-Tour pass.png Hitnrun PHASEII album.jpg
Welcome 2 America is the first full previously-unreleased studio album of Prince material to be released posthumously, and the tenth posthumous album release overall. Recorded in 2010, the album was tentatively planned for release in 2011, likely as a follow-up to 20Ten and in conjunction with the Welcome 2 America Tour, which ran from December 2010 to May 2011. The album was abandoned at the time for unknown reasons, however. If released at that time, it would have been Prince’s 36th full-length studio album. The posthumous release makes use of what’s believed to be the final configuration of the album. Contrary to some previous releases by The Prince Estate, there was no technical necessity to do new mixes of the songs.

A deluxe edition of the album includes a blu-ray video of the 28 April 2011: The Forum: Inglewood, CA, USA show on the Welcome 2 America Tour (part of the "Twenty One Nite Stand" in California).


Sessions and compiling

The bulk of the album was recorded by Prince with Chris Coleman and Tal Wilkenfeld in about a week and a half of recording at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA, from 10 March 2010 to 19 March 2010. Additional recordings with Shelby J., Liv Warfield, Elisa Dease and Morris Hayes took place during the Spring.

Black Muse is assumed to have been recorded around the same time but it’s unclear if it was at any point slated for inclusion on the album.

The released version was built from three reference CDs found by The Prince Estate in 2019, each containing different configurations of the album. Morris Hayes was commissioned to build the final tracklist from these three cds. The official version is similar to one of the configuration which also included Cause And Effect. It was decided not to retain this song for the final version because it was attached to the 20Ten album (Prince quotes titles from this album in the lyrics).


Musicians input

Welcome 2 America contains more contributions from others than its predecessor, 20Ten and is a band-oriented album, with musicians and/or vocalists appearing on all tracks. Drummer Chris Coleman and bass guitarist Tal Wilkenfeld make their only appearances on a Prince album. Shelby J., Liv Warfield and Elisa Dease, who had been present throughout 20Ten, appear on all of the songs except When She Comes. Shelby J. is also the co-lead vocalist on Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master) and provides a rap on Same Page, Different Book. Morris Hayes co-produced half of the songs of the album. 1010 (Rin Tin Tin) is the only song to feature Prince as the sole musician (with Shelby J., Liv Warfield and Elisa Dease on backing vocals). John Blackwell plays drums on 1000 Light Years From Here.


Track releases

Hot Summer was premiered on Minnesota public radio station 89.3 The Current’s website on 7 June 2010, Prince’s 52nd birthday, prior to the album’s intended release. Same Page, Different Book was streamed as audio only over a static video on 3rd Eye Girl YouTube channel in January 2013 (as Same Page Different Book). 1000 Light Years From Here was released in an entirely different form (with new lyrics and arrangements) in 2015 on Hitnrun Phase Two, included in full as a 3:05 coda to the track Black Muse (as such, the title 1000 Light Years From Here is not used on the album’s tracklist). An alternate recording of When She Comes with different verses was also released on Hitnrun Phase Two.


Promotion

The album was announced and available to pre-order on 8 April, 2021. The title track, Welcome 2 America, was made available on streaming and download platforms, and a 55-second promo video was made available to promote the set. The accompanying vinyl single, Welcome 2 America with an exclusive live b-side was also announced on the official website. Born 2 Die was also made available for download as a preview two months before the release of the album. A second teaser was made available through Hot Summer, released on 22 July 2021. A 7" single of the song was included as a cover mount with the August 2021 edition of Rolling Stone magazine in Germany.

The Prince Estate and The Current radio-station produced an four-part podcast series, presented by Minneapolis Music journalist Andrea Swensson, Shelby J. and Morris Hayes titled “Prince: The Story of Welcome 2 America”. In this audio-documentary Tal Wilkenfeld, Chris Coleman, Elisa Fiorillo and Liv Warfield, among others, share stories about the making-of the album.


Charts

The album reached position 7 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and 70 on the Billboard 200. It failed to reach top 10 positions in Europe, Australia and Japan.

The album entered Billboard Top R&B Albums at number 1 and at number 4 on the The Billboard 200 chart.



Track listing
CD LP

The compact disc and digital versions are the original issue.

  1. Welcome 2 America (5:23)
  2. Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master) (4:05)
  3. Born 2 Die (5:03)
  4. 1000 Light Years From Here (5:46)
  5. Hot Summer (3:32)
  6. Stand Up And B Strong (5:18)1
  7. Check The Record (3:28)
  8. Same Page, Different Book (4:41) 2
  9. When She Comes (4:46)
  10. 1010 (Rin Tin Tin) (4:42)
  11. Yes (2:56)
  12. One Day We Will All B Free (4:41)

Side A:

A1 Welcome 2 America (5:23)
A2 Running Game (Son Of A Slave Master) (4:05)
A3 Born 2 Die (5:03)
A4 1000 Light Years From Here (5:46)

Side B:

B1 Hot Summer (3:32)
B2 Stand Up And B Strong (5:18)1
B3 Check The Record (3:28)
B4 Same Page, Different Book (4:41)

Side C:

C1 When She Comes (4:46)
C2 1010 (Rin Tin Tin) (4:42)
C3 Yes (2:56)
C4 One Day We Will All B Free (4:41)

Side D: Etching

Blu-ray: Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011 - available on Deluxe (2LP + 1CD + Blu-ray) set and a Japanese edition (1CD + Blu-ray) only

  1. Joy In Repetition (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  2. Brown Skin (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)3
  3. 17 Days (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)4 (contains unlisted lyrics from Lovergirl 5)
  4. Shhh (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  5. Controversy (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  6. Theme From "Which Way Is Up" (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)6
  7. What Have You Done For Me Lately (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)7
  8. Partyman (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  9. It’s Alright (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)8
  10. Make You Feel My Love (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)9
  11. Misty Blue (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)10
  12. Let’s Go Crazy (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  13. Delirious (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  14. 1999 (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  15. Little Red Corvette (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  16. Purple Rain (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  17. The Bird (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)11
  18. Jungle Love (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)11
  19. A Love Bizarre (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)12
  20. Kiss (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)
  21. Play That Funky Music (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)13
  22. Hollywood Swingin’ (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)14
  23. Fantastic Voyage (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)15
  24. More Than This (Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011)16

All songs written by Prince except where noted.

1 Written by Dave Pirner
2 Lyrics co-written by Shelby J.
3 Written by Mark Batson, Shannon Sanders and India.Arie
4 Written by Prince, Lisa Coleman, Dr. Fink, Wendy Melvoin
5 Written by Mary Christine Brockert
6 Written by Norman Whitfield
7 Written by Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and (uncredited) Janet Jackson
8 Written by Larry Graham
9 Written by Bob Dylan
10 Written by Bob Montgomery
11 Written by Morris Day, Prince, and (uncredited) Jesse Johnson
12 Written by Sheila E. and Prince
13 Written by Robert Parissi
14 Written by Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, George M. Brown, Robert "Spikes" Mickens, Claydes Charles Smith, Dennis R. Thomas, Richard A. Westfield
15 Written by Fred Alexander Jr., Norman Beavers, Marvin Craig, Fred Lewis, Tiemeyer McCain, Thomas Shelby, Steve Shockley, Otis Stokes, and Mark Adam Wood, Jr.
16 Written by Bryan Ferry



Personnel
Musicians


Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, April 28, 2011 (Blu-ray)


Production



Archival Production / A&R: Kirk Johnson, Michael Howe & Trevor Guy

  • Art Direction & Design: Mathieu Bitton and Trevor Guy
  • Photography: Mike Ruiz, Kevin Mazur, Brian Ach, Randee St. Nicholas and Prince



Thanks
  • Thanks to:Andrea Swensson, Angelina Capodanno, Angelo Schifano, Duane Tudahl, Gretchen Brennison, John Conroy, Kiran Sharma, President Nelson, Richard Alcock, Ryan Supple, Roald Bakker, Teri Eastwood Molls and Zach Hochkeppel
  • Very Special Thanks to: Alfred Jackson (In Memoriam), John R. Nelson, Norrine P. Nelson, Omarr Baker, Sharon L. Nelson, Tyka, and all Prince Fams (and Fans) worldwide.



Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2

USA CD n/a center center center center
USA Digital n/a center center center center
USA 2LP n/a center center center center

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2

USA 2LP Gold n/a center center center center
USA 2LP Clear n/a Target exclusive center center center center
USA Deluxe (2LP + 1CD + Blu-ray) n/a center center center center
Japan CD + Blu-ray n/a center center center center

'

 

 
Additional Information

Promotion (at time of release) Trivia

  • The album was announced and available to pre-order on 8 April, 2021. The title track, Welcome 2 America, was made available on streaming and download platforms, and a 55-second promo video was made available to promote the set. The accompanying vinyl single, Welcome 2 America with an exclusive live b-side was also announced on the official website.
  • The promotional description of the set reads:
Recorded in the spring of 2010 and then mysteriously archived by Prince before its release, the statement album Welcome 2 America documents Prince’s concerns, hopes, and visions for a shifting society, presciently foreshadowing an era of political division, disinformation, and a renewed fight for racial justice. The album features some of Prince’s only studio collaborations with the bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, drummer Chris Coleman, and engineer Jason Agel, with additional contributions from New Power Generation singers Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa Fiorillo and keyboardist Morris Hayes, who Prince also recruited to co-produce the album.
The release of Welcome 2 America builds upon the partnership between The Prince Estate and Sony Music Entertainment that started in August of 2018. At that time, Sony began globally distributing the works of Prince released from 1995-2010, broadening its scope in January 2021 when the deal was expanded to include U.S. distribution on twelve non-soundtrack catalog albums featuring iconic music recorded by the Artist between 1978-1996.


The Deluxe Edition of Welcome 2 America combines the 2LP and CD versions of the album with a never before released Blu-Ray of Prince’s full April 28, 2011 performance at the Forum, part of the Welcome 2 America Tour’s historic 21 Nite Stand in Los Angeles. The show is presented in stereo, 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos, and includes 24 tracks from across Prince’s career, from his biggest hits to fan favorites to ten rare covers. In addition, the deluxe edition features a 32 Page, 12x12 book, exclusive poster and an embossed vellum envelope of limited edition memorabilia all housed in a luxe, gold embossed package. Experienced as a complete package, the Deluxe Edition provides an immersive view of Prince’s creative genius during his spontaneous, energetic, and thought-provoking Welcome 2 America era.
  • American CBS TV show 60 Minutes has announced that they will debut tracks from the album on their 11 April 2021 show.

References
  • Preorder(s)
Prince.com
Target exclusive edition
  • Podcast:
‎Welcome 2 America - Le Monde selon Prince with Mathieu Bitton & Morris Hayes on Violet - Le Podcast sur Prince et le Minneapolis Sound (30 July 2021)
  • Press:
Welcome 2 America: The Oral History of Prince’s Lost Album by David Browne (Rollingstone.com: 14 July 2021)
  • Releases:
To be completed.
SottDeluxe.jpg 2020
Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition
All Albums All Related Artists Albums None
See Full Discography
NoPreviousAlbum.png