Editing Prince (musician) (section)

== Career ==
=== 1975–1984: Beginnings and breakthrough ===
[[File:1244 Russell Avenue North, Minneapolis 2017-08-02.jpg|right|thumb|The Minneapolis house, seen here in August 2017, where Prince stayed with [[André Cymone]]'s family]]

In 1975, Pepe Willie (the husband of Prince's cousin Shauntel), formed the band [[94 East]] with Marcy Ingvoldstad and Kristie Lazenberry, hiring André Cymone and Prince to record tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/pop-prodigy-prince-artist-producer-teenager-452356|title=Pop Prodigy: Teen Prince Debuted as Artist, Producer|date=April 26, 2016|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729233711/https://www.newsweek.com/pop-prodigy-prince-artist-producer-teenager-452356|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Draper2016">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B75NDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA10|title=Prince: Life and Times: Revised and Updated Edition|last=Draper|first=Jason|date=November 2016|publisher=Book Sales|isbn=978-0-7858-3497-7|location=New York, New York|pages=9–10|chapter=The Early Years (1958-1983)|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref> Willie wrote the songs, and Prince contributed guitar tracks, and Prince and Willie co-wrote the 94 East song, "Just Another Sucker".<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/inside-princes-funky-first-recording-sessions-65574/|title=Inside Prince's Funky First Recording Sessions|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=April 26, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729233707/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/inside-princes-funky-first-recording-sessions-65574/|url-status=live}}</ref> The band recorded tracks which later became the album ''Minneapolis Genius&nbsp;– The Historic 1977 Recordings''.<ref name=":1" /> In 1976, shortly after graduating from Central High School, Prince created a demo tape with producer [[Chris Moon]], in Moon's Minneapolis studio.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Arnold |first1=Chuck |title=Prince Collaborator Chris Moon Remembers Mentoring the Legend Before the Fame |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8359047/prince-chris-moon-pre-fame |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 7, 2020 |date=April 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725034004/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8359047/prince-chris-moon-pre-fame |url-status=live }}</ref> Unable to secure a recording contract, Moon brought the tape to Owen Husney, a Minneapolis businessman, who signed Prince, aged 19, to a management contract, and helped him create a demo at [[Sound 80]] Studios in Minneapolis (with producer/engineer David Z).<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form|url=https://mn.gov/admin/assets/2020-05-12%20Combined%20Prince_tcm36-428075.pdf|access-date=July 8, 2021|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605012209/https://mn.gov/admin/assets/2020-05-12%20Combined%20Prince_tcm36-428075.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 13, 2018|title=Prince 'discoverer' Owen Husney's new book has some very good Prince stories|first=Michael |last=Anthony|url=https://www.minnpost.com/arts-culture/2018/04/prince-discoverer-owen-husneys-new-book-has-some-very-good-prince-stories/|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=MinnPost|language=en-US|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605012204/https://www.minnpost.com/arts-culture/2018/04/prince-discoverer-owen-husneys-new-book-has-some-very-good-prince-stories/|url-status=live}}</ref> The demo recording, along with a [[press kit]] produced at Husney's ad agency, resulted in interest from several record companies, including [[Warner Bros. Records]], [[A&M Records]], and [[Columbia Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/princes-first-manager-reflects-on-the-music-icons-early-days|title=Prince's first manager reflects on the music icon's early days|publisher=[[UCLA|UCLA Newsroom]]|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2016|first=Ted B.|last=Kissell|archive-date=May 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503111230/http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/princes-first-manager-reflects-on-the-music-icons-early-days}}</ref>

With the help of Husney, Prince signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1977.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/10/history-prince-contractual-controversy-warner-paisley-park|title=Record breaker: a brief history of Prince's contractual controversies|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Eamonn |last=Forde|date=August 10, 2015|access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref> The record company agreed to give Prince creative control for three albums and retain his publishing rights.{{sfn|Light|2014|p=29}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Norment |first=Lynn |date=January 1997 |title=The Artist Formerly Known as Prince|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7wvQh4Sjlw8C&pg=PA130 |magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |page=130 |access-date=April 21, 2016 |quote=While he retains the publishing rights to all his songs, Warner Brothers owns the master tapes to the 20 albums preceding ''Emancipation''.}}</ref> Husney and Prince then left Minneapolis and moved to [[Sausalito, California]], where Prince's first album, ''[[For You (Prince album)|For You]]'', was recorded at [[Record Plant]] Studios. The album was mixed in Los Angeles and released on April 7, 1978.{{sfn|Uptown|2004|p=19}} According to the ''For You'' album notes, Prince wrote, produced, arranged, composed, and played all 27 instruments on the recording, except for the song "[[Soft and Wet]]", whose lyrics were co-written by Moon. The cost of recording the album was twice Prince's initial advance. Prince used the ''Prince's Music Co.'' to [[music publisher (popular music)|publish]] his songs. In the United States, "Soft and Wet" reached No. 12 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Soul Singles]] chart and No. 92 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The song "[[Just as Long as We're Together]]" reached No. 91 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

[[File:Ticket to Prince’s First Concert.jpg|thumb|left|Ticket to Prince's first performance with his band in January 1979]]<!-- requires curly apostrophe -->

Around this time, a side enterprise that Prince began to pursue involved a then-teenage singer [[Sue Ann Carwell]], whose career as a solo artist he hoped to mould after hearing her talented performance on the Minneapolis R&B scene; however, Carwell resisted his suggestion that she used the name "Susie Stone",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prince.org/msg/5/464407|title= Associated artists & people {{!}} Sue Anne Carwell|website=Prince.org|access-date=December 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/early-prince-side-projects-that-never-got-off-the-ground.3442675/|title=Early Prince side projects that never got off the Ground|website=Lipstick Alley|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=December 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dangerousminds.net/comments/fascinating_early_prince_side_projects_that_never_got_off_the_ground|title=Fascinating early Prince side projects that never got off the ground|website=[[Dangerous Minds (website)|Dangerous Minds]]|date=June 5, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref> and recordings he had been working on with her for a projected 1978 album ("I'm Saving It Up", "Make It Through the Storm", "Since We've Been Together" and "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me?") went unreleased.<ref name="Susie Stone">{{cite web|url=https://princevault.com/index.php?title=Album:_Suzie_Stone_(1978)|title=Untitled 'Suzie Stone' album|website=princevault.com|access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://princesongs.org/2016/11/03/wouldnt-you-love-to-love-me/|title=Wouldn't You Love to Love Me?|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref>  Carwell was subsequently signed by Warner Bros. Records.<ref name="Susie Stone" />

In 1979, Prince created a band with André Cymone on bass, [[Dez Dickerson]] on guitar, Gayle Chapman and [[Doctor Fink]] on keyboards, and [[Bobby Z.]] on drums. Their first show was at the Capri Theater on January 5, 1979. Warner Bros. executives attended the show but decided that Prince and the band needed more time to develop his music.{{sfn|Hill|1989|p=59}}{{page needed|date=April 2016}} In October 1979, Prince released the album ''[[Prince (album)|Prince]]'', which was No. 4 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|Top R&B/Black Albums]] charts and No. 22 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and went [[platinum record|platinum]]. It contained two R&B hits: "[[Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?]]" and "[[I Wanna Be Your Lover]]", which sold more than a million copies, and reached No. 11 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and No. 1 for two weeks on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Prince performed both these songs on January 26, 1980, on ''[[American Bandstand]]''. On this album, Prince used ''Ecnirp Music&nbsp;– [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/publisher.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=99813&keyname=ECNIRP%20MUSIC&querytype=PubID |title=BMI &#124; Repertoire Search |publisher=Repertoire.bmi.com |access-date=July 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030003322/http://repertoire.bmi.com/publisher.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=99813&keyname=ECNIRP%20MUSIC&querytype=PubID |archive-date=October 30, 2007}}</ref>

In 1980, Prince released the album ''[[Dirty Mind]]'', which contained sexually explicit material, including the title song, "Head", and the song "Sister", and was described by [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] as a "stunning, audacious amalgam of funk, [[New wave music|new wave]], R&B, and pop, fueled by grinningly salacious sex and the desire to shock".<ref name="Erlewine">Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r15800|pure_url=yes}} Dirty Mind – Prince]." [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved January 1, 2010.</ref> Recorded in Prince's studio, this album was [[certified gold]], and the single "[[Uptown (Prince song)|Uptown]]" reached No. 5 on the ''Billboard'' Dance chart and No. 5 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Prince was also the opening act for [[Rick James]]' 1980 ''Fire It Up'' tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-22 |title=How Prince's Androgynous Genius Changed the Way We Think About Music and Gender |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/article/9882-how-princes-androgynous-genius-changed-the-way-we-think-about-music-and-gender/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204043347/https://pitchfork.com/features/article/9882-how-princes-androgynous-genius-changed-the-way-we-think-about-music-and-gender/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Prince 1980 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Prince in 1980, the year ''[[Dirty Mind]]'' was released]]
In February 1981, Prince made his first appearance on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', performing "Partyup". In October 1981, Prince released the album ''[[Controversy (Prince album)|Controversy]]''. He played several dates in support of it, as the first of three opening acts for [[the Rolling Stones]], on their [[The Rolling Stones American Tour 1981|US tour]]. In Los Angeles, Prince, who appeared in a trench coat and black bikini briefs, was forced off the stage after just three songs by audience members throwing trash at him.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gh1KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DSINAAAAIBAJ&pg=3959,2200686 "Rolling Stones Open 2-Day Stand In LA"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428130704/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gh1KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DSINAAAAIBAJ&pg=3959,2200686 |date=April 28, 2022 }}, ''Oxnard (CA) Press-Courier'', October 10, 1981, p. 3.</ref><ref name="12 Wildest Prince Moments">{{Cite magazine|last=Heller|first=Jason|title=12 Wildest Prince Moments|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/12-wildest-prince-moments-71833/prince-jams-with-james-brown-michael-jackson-august-20th-1983-170793/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126161847/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/12-wildest-prince-moments-71833/prince-jams-with-james-brown-michael-jackson-august-20th-1983-170793/|url-status=live}}</ref> He began 1982 with a small tour of college towns where he was the headlining act. The songs on ''Controversy'' were published by ''Controversy Music''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/playback/2008/fall/features/copyright_tips.aspx |title=Profile for Controversy Music |publisher=Ascap.com |access-date=July 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807184702/http://www.ascap.com/playback/2008/fall/features/copyright_tips.aspx |archive-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref>&nbsp;– ''[[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP]]'', a practice he continued until the ''[[Emancipation (Prince album)|Emancipation]]'' album in 1996. ''Controversy'' also marked the introduction of Prince's use of [[sensational spelling|abbreviated spelling]], such as writing the words ''you'' as ''U'', ''to'' as ''2'', and ''for'' as ''4''; by 2002, MTV News noted that "[n]ow all of his titles, liner notes, and Web postings are written in his own shorthand spelling, as seen on 1999's ''Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic'', which featured 'Hot Wit U.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458662/y-kant-artists-spell.jhtml|title=Y Kant Artists Spell? Christina, Jimmy Jam, K-Ci Explain|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=November 13, 2002|publisher=MTV|access-date=April 15, 2013|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107233635/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458662/y-kant-artists-spell.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1981, Prince formed a side project band called [[The Time (band)|the Time]]. The band released four albums between 1981 and 1990, with Prince writing and performing most of the instrumentation and backing vocals (sometimes credited under the pseudonyms "Jamie Starr" or "The Starr Company"), with lead vocals by [[Morris Day]].{{sfn|Cashmore|1997|p=147}}{{sfn|Draper|2011}}

In late 1982, Prince released a double album, ''[[1999 (Prince album)|1999]]'', which sold more than four million copies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1999 – at least four million copies sold|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Prince&ti=1999#search_section|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026075432/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Prince&ti=1999#search_section|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.cnn.com/1999/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/20/wb.prince.bio/ |title=CNN&nbsp;– World Beat Biography&nbsp;– Prince&nbsp;– December 20, 1999 |work=CNN |access-date=July 18, 2009 |archive-date=October 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010125757/http://archives.cnn.com/1999/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/20/wb.prince.bio/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[1999 (Prince song)|title track]] was a protest against [[nuclear proliferation]] and became Prince's first top 10 hit in countries outside the US. Prince's "[[Little Red Corvette]]" was one of the first two videos by black artists (along with [[Michael Jackson]]'s "[[Billie Jean]]") played in heavy rotation on [[MTV]], which had been perceived as against "black music" until [[CBS]] President [[Walter Yetnikoff]] threatened to pull all CBS videos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/mtv-2011-10/index1.html|title=Five History-Making MTV Music Videos|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=October 9, 2011|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-date=May 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508062713/http://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/mtv-2011-10/index1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Buckley|2003|p=819}} Prince and Jackson had a competitive rivalry which lasted for many years.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/musics-30-fiercest-feuds-beefs-taylor-kanye-slash-axl-w498640/prince-vs-michael-jackson-w498709|title=Music's 30 Fiercest Feuds and Beefs|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131457/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/musics-30-fiercest-feuds-beefs-taylor-kanye-slash-axl-w498640/prince-vs-michael-jackson-w498709|url-status=live}}</ref> The song "[[Delirious (Prince song)|Delirious]]" also placed in the top ten on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. "[[International Lover]]" earned Prince his first [[Grammy Award]] nomination at the [[26th Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref name=GMP>{{cite web|url=http://www.gossipcop.com/prince-death-grammys-statement-reaction-grammy-awards-recording-academy/|title=Grammys Mourn Prince – See Statement From Grammy Awards Recording Academy|access-date=April 24, 2016|date=April 21, 2016|website=Gossipcop.com|author=Weiss, Shari|archive-date=April 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424001854/http://www.gossipcop.com/prince-death-grammys-statement-reaction-grammy-awards-recording-academy/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 1984–1987: ''Purple Rain'', ''Around the World in a Day'' and ''Parade'' ===
[[File:Prince 1984 publicity photo.jpg|thumb|Prince in 1984]] During this period Prince referred to his band as [[The Revolution (band)|the Revolution]].<ref name=rhinoprtour>{{cite web |url=http://www.rhino.com/article/rhino-historic-tours-prince-kicks-off-the-purple-rain-tour |title=Rhino Historic Tours: Prince Kicks Off the Purple Rain Tour |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2014 |publisher=Rhino.com |access-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-date=November 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107135727/http://www.rhino.com/article/rhino-historic-tours-prince-kicks-off-the-purple-rain-tour |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=raftery>{{cite magazine |last=Raftery |first=Brian |date=July 2009 |title=''Purple Rain'': The Oral History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dPH2eV-xQFYC&pg=PA53 |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |pages=54–61 |access-date=April 21, 2016}}</ref> The band's name was also printed, in reverse, on the cover of ''1999'' inside the letter "I" of the word "Prince".{{sfn|Light|2014|p=50}} The band consisted of [[Lisa Coleman (musician)|Lisa Coleman]] and [[Doctor Fink]] on keyboards, [[Bobby Z.]] on drums, [[Brownmark|Brown Mark]] on bass, and [[Dez Dickerson]] on guitar. [[Jill Jones]], a backing singer, was also part of the lineup for the ''1999'' album and tour.{{sfn|Light|2014|p=50}} Following the 1999 Tour, Dickerson left the group for religious reasons.{{sfn|Moskowitz|2015|pp=483–489}} In the book ''Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince'' (2003), author Alex Hahn says that Dickerson was reluctant to sign a three-year contract and wanted to pursue other musical ventures. Dickerson was replaced by Coleman's friend [[Wendy Melvoin]].<ref name=rhinoprtour /> At first, the band was used sparsely in the studio, but this gradually changed during 1983.{{sfn|Light|2014|p=50}}{{sfn|Moskowitz|2015|pp=483–489}}{{sfn|Light|2014|p=163}}

{{listen|type=music
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|filename = When Doves Cry sample.ogg
|pos = left
|description = The lead single from the album ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]''; "When Doves Cry" became a [[signature song]] of Prince's.
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According to his former manager [[Bob Cavallo]], in the early 1980s Prince required his management to obtain a deal for him to star in a major motion picture, even though his exposure at that point was limited to several pop and R&B hits, music videos and occasional TV performances. This resulted in the hit film ''[[Purple Rain (film)|Purple Rain]]'' (1984), which starred Prince and was loosely autobiographical, and the [[Purple Rain (album)|eponymous studio album]], which was also the soundtrack to the film.<ref name=raftery /> The ''Purple Rain'' album sold more than 13&nbsp;million copies in the US and spent 24 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart. The film won Prince an [[Academy Award for Best Original Score#1980s|Academy Award for Best Original Song Score]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1985 |title=The 57th Academy Awards: 1985 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Oscars.org |date=October 5, 2014 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=April 22, 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402171949/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1985 |archive-date=April 2, 2016}}</ref> and grossed more than $68&nbsp;million in the US (${{Inflation|US|68|1984|r=0}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref>{{cite web| title =Prince| publisher =The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum| url =http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/prince| access-date =February 27, 2010| archive-date =May 26, 2010| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100526161333/http://rockhall.com/inductees/prince| url-status =live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1533707777/weekend/|title=Purple Rain|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601041704/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1533707777/weekend/|url-status=live}}</ref> Songs from the film were hits on pop charts around the world; "[[When Doves Cry]]" and "[[Let's Go Crazy]]" reached No. 1, and the [[Purple Rain (song)|title track]] reached No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name=princeBBhits /> At one point in 1984, Prince simultaneously had the No. 1 album, single, and film in the US;{{sfn|Gulla|2008|p=482}} it was the first time a singer had achieved this feat.{{sfn|Light|2014|p=181}} The ''Purple Rain'' album is ranked 8th in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|"500 Greatest Albums of All Time"]];<ref name="RollingStone">{{cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/prince-and-the-revolution-purple-rain-5-1063225/|title= Purple Rain ranked 8th Greatest Album|magazine= Rolling Stone|date= September 22, 2020|access-date= February 14, 2021|archive-date= January 31, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210131125108/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/prince-and-the-revolution-purple-rain-5-1063225/|url-status= live}}</ref> it is also included on the list of ''Time'' magazine's All-Time 100 Albums.<ref name="TIMEMagazine">{{Cite magazine |last=Cruz |first=Gilbert |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/purple-rain-1984/ |title=The All-Time 100 Albums |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=February 22, 2011 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007023812/https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/purple-rain-1984/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The album also produced two of Prince's first three Grammy Awards earned at the [[27th Annual Grammy Awards]]—Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.<ref name=GMP/>

In 1984, [[pop art]]ist [[Andy Warhol]] created the painting ''[[Orange Prince]]''. Warhol was fascinated by Prince and ultimately created a total of twelve unique paintings of him in different colorways, all of which were kept in Warhol's personal collection.<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/44T6MBA/The_Andy_Warhol_Foundation_For_v_Goldsmith_et_al__nysdce-17-02532__0032.3.pdf| title= Expert analysis by critic Thomas Crow of Andy Warhol's portraits of Prince| website= pacermonitor.com| access-date= October 27, 2019| archive-date= May 17, 2018| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180517223449/https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/44T6MBA/The_Andy_Warhol_Foundation_For_v_Goldsmith_et_al__nysdce-17-02532__0032.3.pdf| url-status= live}}</ref> Four of these paintings are now in the collection of [[The Andy Warhol Museum]] in Pittsburgh. In November 1984, ''Vanity Fair'' published Warhol's portrait to accompany the article ''Purple Fame''<ref name=VanityFair2016>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/04/prince-at-the-height-of-his-powers|title=Purple Fame: An Appreciation of Prince at the Height of His Powers. November 1984|last=Vox|first=Tristan|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 21, 2018|archive-date=December 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219092654/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/04/prince-at-the-height-of-his-powers|url-status=live}}</ref> by Tristan Fox, and claimed that Warhol's silkscreen image of Prince with its pop colors captured the recording artist "at the height of his powers". The ''Vanity Fair'' article was one of the first global media pieces written as a critical appreciation of the musician, which coincided with the start of the 98-date [[Purple Rain Tour]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

After [[Tipper Gore]] heard her 11-year-old daughter [[Karenna Gore|Karenna]] listening to Prince's song "[[Darling Nikki]]" (which gained wide notoriety for its sexual lyrics and a reference to masturbation), she founded the [[Parents Music Resource Center]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Siegel |first=Robert |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4279560 |title=Tipper Gore and Family Values : NPR Music |newspaper=NPR |access-date=July 18, 2009 |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014105344/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4279560 |url-status=live }}</ref> The center advocated the mandatory use of a warning label ("[[Parental Advisory]]: Explicit Lyrics") on the covers of records that have been judged to contain language or lyrical content [[unsuitable for minors]]. The recording industry later voluntarily complied with this request.<ref>{{cite web| last = Macdonald| first = Cameron| title = Treating Dandruff by Decapitation| work = Stylus| date = January 23, 2006| url = http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/playing_god/treating-dandruff-by-decapitation.htm| access-date = March 11, 2010| archive-date = March 4, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000120/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/playing_god/treating-dandruff-by-decapitation.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref>

In 1985, Prince announced that he would discontinue live performances and music videos after the release of his next album. His subsequent recording, ''[[Around the World in a Day]]'' (1985), held the No. 1 spot on the ''Billboard'' 200 for three weeks. From that album, the single "[[Raspberry Beret]]" reached No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and "[[Pop Life (Prince song)|Pop Life]]" reached No. 7.<ref name=princeBBhits>{{cite magazine |last1=Wete |first1=Brad |last2=Letkemann |first2=Jessica |last3=Caulfield |first3=Keith |date=June 24, 2013 |title=Prince's 20 Biggest Billboard Hits |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/1495342/princes-20-biggest-billboard-hits |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=April 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219000224/http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/1495342/princes-20-biggest-billboard-hits |archive-date=December 19, 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Prince Brussels 1986 (retouched).jpg|left|thumb|upright|Prince performing in 1986]]
In 1986, his album ''[[Parade (Prince album)|Parade]]'' reached No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and No. 2 on the R&B charts. The first single, "[[Kiss (Prince song)|Kiss]]", with the video choreographed by [[Louis Falco]], reached No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name=princeBBhits /> (The song was originally written for a side project called [[Mazarati]].) In the same year, the song "[[Manic Monday]]", written by Prince and recorded by [[the Bangles]], reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart. The album ''Parade'' served as the soundtrack for Prince's second film, ''[[Under the Cherry Moon]]'' (1986). Prince directed and starred in the movie, which also featured [[Kristin Scott Thomas]]. Although the ''Parade'' album went platinum and sold two million copies,<ref>Stuckey, J. Ken. "Prince's Legacy: 'Set your mind free'." ''The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide'', vol. 23, no. 5, 2016, p. 20+.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Calia |first=Michael |date=April 21, 2016 |title=A Look Back at Prince in the Movies |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/04/21/a-look-back-at-prince-in-the-movies/ |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=April 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422124515/https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/04/21/a-look-back-at-prince-in-the-movies/ |archive-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref> the film ''Under the Cherry Moon'' received a [[Golden Raspberry Award]] for Worst Picture (tied with ''[[Howard the Duck (film)|Howard the Duck]]''), and Prince received Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Director, Worst Actor, and Worst Original Song (for the song "Love or Money").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.razzies.com/|title=R.I.P. Razzie "Winner" and Under the Cherry Moon Star Prince... |publisher=[[Golden Raspberry Awards]] |access-date=April 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413212505/http://www.razzies.com/ |archive-date=April 13, 2016 }}</ref>{{sfn|Corson|2016|p=196}} Some critics later re-evaluated ''Under the Cherry Moon'' after Prince's death and declared it a [[cult classic]], comparing it to films such as ''[[8½]]'', ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]]'' and ''[[It Happened One Night]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heller-Nicholas |first1=Alexandra |title=Learning to Love Prince's 'Graffiti Bridge' and 'Under The Cherry Moon' |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/learning-to-love-princes-graffiti-bridge-and-under-the-cherry-moon/beqeev2z8 |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=SBS On Demand |date=7 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goble |first1=Blake |title=Prince's Lavish Fantasies Came to Life in Under the Cherry Moon |url=https://consequence.net/2016/07/princes-lavish-fantasies-came-to-life-in-under-the-cherry-moon/ |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=Consequence |date=2 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sales |first1=Nancy Jo |title=Phases of the Moon |url=https://airmail.news/issues/2023-12-16/phases-of-the-moon |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=Air Mail |date=16 December 2023}}</ref>

In 1986, Prince began a series of live performances called the [[Hit n Run – Parade Tour]]. After the tour, Prince disbanded the Revolution and fired [[Wendy & Lisa]].<ref name=raftery /> Brown Mark quit the band; keyboardist Doctor Fink remained. Prince recruited new band members [[Miko Weaver]] on guitar, [[Atlanta Bliss]] on trumpet, and [[Eric Leeds]] on saxophone.{{sfn|Moskowitz|2015|pp=483–489}}

=== 1987–1991: ''Sign o' the Times'', ''Lovesexy'', ''Batman'' and ''Graffiti Bridge'' ===
Before disbanding the Revolution, Prince was working on two separate projects, the Revolution album ''[[Dream Factory (album)|Dream Factory]]'' and a solo effort, ''[[Camille (unreleased Prince album)|Camille]]''.{{sfn|Draper|2008|pp=76–78}} Unlike the three previous band albums, ''Dream Factory'' included input from the band members and featured songs with lead vocals by Wendy & Lisa.{{sfn|Draper|2008|pp=76–78}} The ''Camille'' project saw Prince create a new [[androgynous]] persona primarily singing in a sped-up, female-sounding voice. With the dismissal of the Revolution, Prince consolidated material from both shelved albums, along with some new songs, into a three-LP album to be titled ''[[Crystal Ball (unreleased album)|Crystal Ball]]''.{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=80}} Warner Bros. forced Prince to trim the triple album to a double album, and ''[[Sign o' the Times]]'' was released on March 31, 1987.<ref name="Billboard Sign o the times">{{cite magazine|first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince|chart=all}} |title=Sign 'O' the Times |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509100710/http://www.billboard.com/artist/351039/prince/chart |archive-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

The album peaked at No. 6 on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart.<ref name="Billboard Sign o the times" /> The first single, "[[Sign o' the Times (song)|Sign o' the Times]]", charted at No. 3 on the Hot 100.<ref name="Prince chart history billboard">{{cite magazine|url= {{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince|chart=all}}|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080610060841/{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince|chart=all}}|archive-date= June 10, 2008|title=Artist Chart History&nbsp;– Prince|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 13, 2009}}</ref> The follow-up single, "[[If I Was Your Girlfriend]]", charted at No. 67 on the Hot 100 but went to No. 12 on R&B chart.<ref name="Prince chart history billboard" /> The third single, a duet with [[Sheena Easton]], "[[U Got the Look]]", charted at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and No. 11 on the R&B chart,<ref name="Prince chart history billboard" /> and the final single, "[[I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man]]", finished at No. 10 on Hot 100 and No. 14 on the R&B chart.<ref name="Prince chart history billboard" />

It was named the top album of the year by the [[Pazz & Jop]] critics' poll and sold 3.2&nbsp;million copies.{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=81}} In Europe, it performed well, and Prince promoted the album overseas with a lengthy tour. Putting together a new backing band from the remnants of the Revolution, Prince added bassist [[Levi Seacer Jr.]], keyboardist Boni Boyer, and dancer/choreographer [[Cat Glover]]{{sfn|Gregory|1995|p=246}} to go with new drummer [[Sheila E]]{{sfn|Matos|2004|p=57}} and holdovers Miko Weaver, Doctor Fink, Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss, and the Bodyguards (Jerome, Wally Safford, and Greg Brooks) for the [[Sign o' the Times Tour]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

The Sign o' the Times tour was a success overseas, with Warner Bros. and Prince's managers wanting to bring it to the US to promote sales of the album.{{sfn|Draper|2008|pp=86–87}}{{sfn|Hahn|2004|p = 118}} Prince balked at a full US tour, as he was ready to produce a new album.{{sfn|Draper|2008|pp=86–87}} As a compromise, the last two nights of the tour were filmed for release in movie theaters. The film quality was deemed subpar, and reshoots were performed at Prince's [[Paisley Park]] studios.{{sfn|Draper|2008|pp=86–87}} The film ''[[Sign o' the Times (film)|Sign o' the Times]]'' was released on November 20, 1987. The film got better reviews than ''Under the Cherry Moon'', but its box-office receipts were minimal, and it quickly left theaters.{{sfn|Hahn|2004|p = 118}}

The next album intended for release was ''[[The Black Album (Prince album)|The Black Album]]''.{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=90}} More instrumental and funk- and R&B-themed than recent releases,{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=92}} ''The Black Album'' also saw Prince experiment with [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] on the songs "Bob George" and "Dead on It". Prince was set to release the album with a monochromatic black cover with only the catalog number printed, but after 500,000 copies had been pressed,{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=91}} Prince had a spiritual epiphany that the album was evil and had it recalled.{{sfn|Hahn|2004|pp = 121–122}} It was later released by Warner Bros. as a limited edition album in 1994.

Prince went back in the studio for eight weeks and recorded ''[[Lovesexy]]''. Released on May 10, 1988, ''Lovesexy'' serves as a spiritual opposite to the dark ''The Black Album''.{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=93}} Every song is a solo effort by Prince, except "Eye No", which was recorded with his backing band at the time. ''Lovesexy'' reached No. 11 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and No. 5 on the R&B albums chart.<ref name="Lovesexy billboard">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince|chart=all}} |title=Lovesexy |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509100710/http://www.billboard.com/artist/351039/prince/chart |archive-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> The lead single, "[[Alphabet St.]]", peaked at No. 8 on the Hot 100 and No. 3 on the R&B chart;<ref name="Billboard Sign o the times" /> it sold 750,000 copies.{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=94}}

Prince again took his post-Revolution backing band (minus the Bodyguards) on a three-leg, 84-show Lovesexy World Tour; although the shows were well-received by huge crowds, they failed to make a net profit due to the expensive sets and props.{{sfn|Hahn|2004|pp = 152–153}}{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=95}}

[[File:Prince by jimieye.jpg|thumb|Prince performing during the Nude Tour in [[Tokyo|Tokyo, Japan]], in 1990|alt=|238x238px]]

In 1989, Prince appeared on [[Madonna]]'s studio album ''[[Like a Prayer (album)|Like a Prayer]]'', co-writing and singing the duet "Love Song" and playing electric guitar (uncredited) on the songs "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]", "[[Keep It Together (song)|Keep It Together]]", and "Act of Contrition". He also began work on several musical projects, including ''[[Unreleased Prince projects|Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic]]'' and early drafts of his ''Graffiti Bridge'' film,{{sfn|Hahn|2004|pp = 155–156}}{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=96}} but both were put on hold when he was asked by ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989) director [[Tim Burton]] to record several songs for the upcoming live-action adaptation. Prince went into the studio and produced an entire nine-track album that Warner Bros. released on June 20, 1989. ''[[Batman (album)|Batman]]'' peaked at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name="batman billboard">{{cite magazine|first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince|chart=all}} |title=Batman |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509100710/http://www.billboard.com/artist/351039/prince/chart |archive-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> selling 4.3&nbsp;million copies.{{sfn|Hahn|2004|p = 157}} The single "[[Batdance]]" topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and R&B charts.<ref name="Billboard Sign o the times" />

The single "[[The Arms of Orion]]", with Sheena Easton, charted at No. 36, and "[[Partyman]]" (also featuring the vocals of Prince's then-girlfriend, nicknamed [[Anna Fantastic]]) charted at No. 18 on the Hot 100 and at No. 5 on the R&B chart, while the love ballad "[[Scandalous!]]" went to No. 5 on the R&B chart.<ref name="Billboard Sign o the times" /> Prince had to sign away all publishing rights to the songs on the album to Warner Bros. as part of the deal to do the soundtrack.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In 1990, Prince went back on tour with a revamped band for his back-to-basics Nude Tour. With the departures of Boni Boyer, Sheila E., the Horns, and Cat, Prince brought in keyboardist [[Rosie Gaines]], drummer [[Michael Bland]], and dancing trio the Game Boyz ([[Tony M.]], Kirky J., and Damon Dickson). The European and Japanese tour was a financial success with a short, greatest hits setlist.{{sfn|Hahn|2004|p = 166}} As the year progressed, Prince finished production on his fourth film, ''[[Graffiti Bridge (film)|Graffiti Bridge]]'' (1990), and the 1990 album [[Graffiti Bridge (album)|''Graffiti Bridge'']]. Initially, Warner Bros. was reluctant to fund the film, but with Prince's assurances it would be a sequel to ''Purple Rain'' as well as the involvement of the original members of the Time, the studio greenlit the project.{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=104}} Released on August 20, 1990, the album reached No. 6 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and R&B albums chart.<ref name="Graffiti Bridge billboard">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince|chart=all}} |title=Graffiti Bridge |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509100710/http://www.billboard.com/artist/351039/prince/chart |archive-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> The single "[[Thieves in the Temple]]" reached No. 6 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart;<ref name="Billboard Sign o the times" /> "[[Round and Round (Tevin Campbell song)|Round and Round]]" placed at No. 12 on the US charts and No. 2 on the R&B charts. The song featured the teenage [[Tevin Campbell]] (who also had a role in the film) on lead vocals. The film, released on November 20, 1990, was a box-office flop, grossing $4.2&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Draper|2008|p=105}} After the release of the film and album, the last remaining members of the Revolution, Miko Weaver, and Doctor Fink, left Prince's band.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

=== 1991–1996: Name change, ''Diamonds and Pearls'' and ''The Gold Experience'' ===
[[File:Prince (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|239x239px|Prince performing during the Act I and II tour in [[Zürich|Zürich, Switzerland]] in 1993]]

1991 began with a performance in [[Rock in Rio II]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.festicket.com/es/magazine/features/festival-flashback-prince-rock-rio-1991/|title=Festival Flashback: Prince, Rock in Rio 1991 – Festicket Magazine|website=Festicket|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=June 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612080142/https://www.festicket.com/es/magazine/features/festival-flashback-prince-rock-rio-1991/|url-status=live}}</ref> and marked the debut of Prince's new band, [[the New Power Generation]]. With guitarist Miko Weaver and long-time keyboardist Doctor Fink gone, Prince added bass player [[Sonny T.]], [[Tommy Barbarella]] on keyboards, and a brass section known as [[the Hornheads]] to go along with [[Levi Seacer]] (taking over on guitar), [[Rosie Gaines]], [[Michael Bland]], and the Game Boyz.<ref name=":02">{{Cite magazine|last=Sutcliffe|first=Phil|date=March 5, 1991|title=Stories|magazine=Q Magazine|volume=55|pages=11}}</ref> With significant input from his band members, ''[[Diamonds and Pearls]]'' was released on October 1, 1991. Reaching No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200 album chart,{{sfn|Hahn|2004|p = 177}} ''Diamonds and Pearls'' saw four hit singles released in the United States. "[[Gett Off]]" peaked at No. 21 on the Hot 100 and No. 6 on the R&B charts, followed by "[[Cream (Prince song)|Cream]]", which gave Prince his fifth US No. 1 single. The title track "[[Diamonds and Pearls (song)|Diamonds and Pearls]]" became the album's third single, reaching No. 3 on the Hot 100 and the top spot on the R&B charts. "[[Money Don't Matter 2 Night]]" peaked at No. 23 and No. 14 on the Hot 100 and R&B charts respectively.<ref name="billboard1">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince|chart=all}} |title=Discography (more) – Prince&nbsp;– Sign 'O' the Times |magazine=Billboard |date=May 9, 1987 |access-date=July 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509100710/http://www.billboard.com/artist/351039/prince/chart |archive-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> ''Diamonds and Pearls'' would sell more than 2 million copies in the United States alone.<ref name=billboard>{{cite news|first=Joe |last=Lynch | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/prince-diamonds-and-pearls-new-power-generation-interviews-1235459360/ |title=Inside Prince's Creative & Commercial Comeback on 1991's 'Diamonds and Pearls' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=November 1, 2023 |access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref>

In 1992, following the success of ''Diamonds and Pearls'',  Prince renewed his contract with Warner Bros., agreeing to what was reportedly a $100 million deal to release six more albums with the label.<ref name="Philips 1992">{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Carter |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-04-fi-6479-story.html|title=A King's Ransom for Prince : Artist Signs Record $100-Million Contract With Warner|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=September 4, 1992|access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref> In November, Prince released [[Love Symbol Album|his 14th studio album]], the second to feature the New Power Generation. It bore only an unpronounceable symbol on the cover (later copyrighted as "Love Symbol #2") as its title;<ref name="Carter 1999">{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Carter |url=http://www.citypages.com/1999-06-23/news/the-people-formerly-known-as-fans/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014192125/http://www.citypages.com/1999-06-23/news/the-people-formerly-known-as-fans/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 14, 2008 |title=The People Formerly Known as Fans |newspaper=City Pages |date=June 23, 1999 |access-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref> the symbol was explained as being a combination of the [[Gender symbol|symbols]] for male (♂) and female (♀). It was preceded by the releases of "[[Sexy MF]]" and "[[My Name Is Prince]]", which reached No.66 and No. 36 respectively  on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The third single "[[7 (Prince song)|7]]" would peak at No.7.<ref name="billboard1" /> The album, later referred to as ''Love Symbol'', peaked at No. 5 on the ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|title=Billboard Chart positions for Prince|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=prince & the new power generation|chart=all}}|access-date=May 29, 2010}}</ref> and went on to sell 2.8 million copies worldwide, falling short of expectations.{{sfn|Hahn|2004|p = 187}}

In 1993, in rebellion against Warner Bros., which refused to release Prince's enormous backlog of music at a steady pace,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36107590|title=Why did Prince change his name to a symbol?|work=BBC News|access-date=May 5, 2016|date=April 22, 2016|first=Jessica|last=Lussenhop|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429082725/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36107590?|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legalcheek.com/2016/04/prince-hated-contract-law-so-much-he-once-changed-his-name-to-an-unpronounceable-symbol/|title=Prince hated contract law so much he once changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol|work=Legal Cheek|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2016|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426121814/http://www.legalcheek.com/2016/04/prince-hated-contract-law-so-much-he-once-changed-his-name-to-an-unpronounceable-symbol/|url-status=live}}</ref> Prince formally adopted the "Love Symbol" as his stage name.<ref name="Carter 1999" /> To use the symbol in print media, Warner Bros. organized a mass mailing of [[floppy disk]]s with a custom font.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Feldman |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/04/princes-legendary-floppy-disk-symbol-font.html |access-date=May 5, 2016 |title=The Legend of Prince's Special Custom-Font Symbol Floppy Disks |newspaper=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=April 21, 2016 |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113135727/http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/04/princes-legendary-floppy-disk-symbol-font.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At this time, Prince was often referred to as "the Artist Formerly Known as Prince" or "the Artist".<ref name="bass player"/> That same year, Warner Bros. released a [[Greatest hits album|greatest hits]] compilation with the three-disc ''[[The Hits/The B-Sides]]'' in 1993. The first two discs were also sold separately as ''The Hits 1'' and ''The Hits 2''. The collection features the majority of Prince's hit singles, and several previously hard-to-find recordings, including [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]] from across Prince's career and previously unreleased tracks such as the Revolution-recorded "Power Fantastic" and a live recording of "[[Nothing Compares 2 U]]" with Rosie Gaines. Two new songs, "[[Pink Cashmere]]" and "[[Peach (Prince song)|Peach]]", were chosen as promotional singles.

In 1994, Warner Bros. allowed the single "[[The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (Prince song)|The Most Beautiful Girl in the World]]" to be released via a small, independent distributor, [[Bellmark Records]], in February. The release reached No. 3 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and No. 1 in many other countries. Prince began to release albums in quick succession as a means of releasing himself from his contractual obligations to Warner Bros. This led to the previously aborted ''Black Album'' being given a limited official release seven years after its initial recording. Prince pushed to have his next two albums, ''[[Come (Prince album)|Come]]'' and ''[[The Gold Experience]]'', released simultaneously. Warner Bros. accepted both albums, but delayed the release of ''The Gold Experience'', fearing [[market saturation]]. In retaliation, Prince began making public appearances with "slave" written on his face.<ref name="12 Wildest Prince Moments" /> ''The Gold Experience'' would not be released until September 1995. The album was not in print for a long period due to a plagiarism case relating to "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", but the album was released on streaming with Prince’s catalog in 2018, and reissued on CD and vinyl in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raihala |first=Ross |date=2022-03-12 |title=The curious tale of how Prince's final Top 10 hit, and its accompanying album, disappeared for decades |url=https://www.twincities.com/2022/03/12/prince-gold-experience-record-store-day-release/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224132356/https://www.twincities.com/2022/03/12/prince-gold-experience-record-store-day-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1996, the album ''[[Chaos and Disorder]]'' was released. Prince submitted another album titled ''[[The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale]]'' to Warner Bros. that same year, completing his contract with the label. Although the album was not released until 1999, Warner Bros. agreed to release Prince from his contract now that he had delivered the promised number of albums to them.

=== 1996–2000: ''Emancipation'', ''Crystal Ball'' and ''Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic'' ===
Free of any further contractual obligations to Warner Bros., Prince attempted a major comeback later that year with the release of ''[[Emancipation (Prince album)|Emancipation]]'', a 36-song, three-CD set (each disc was exactly 60 minutes long). The album was released via his own [[NPG Records]] with distribution through [[EMI]]. To publish his songs on ''Emancipation'', Prince did not use ''Controversy Music''&nbsp;– ''ASCAP'', which he had used for all his records since 1981, but rather used ''Emancipated Music Inc.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=PRINCE&search_in=a&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=30&start=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031231224724/http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=PRINCE&search_in=a&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=30&start=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 31, 2003 |title=ASCAP profile for Emancipated Music |publisher=Ascap.com |access-date=July 18, 2009}}</ref>&nbsp;– ''ASCAP''.

''Emancipation'' was certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]. It is the first Prince record featuring [[cover version|covers]] of other artists' songs: [[Joan Osborne]]'s top ten hit song of 1995 "[[One of Us (Joan Osborne song)|One of Us]]";<ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=joan osborne|chart=all}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521101753/http://www.billboard.com/artist/304759/joan+osborne/chart |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |title=Chart history for 'One of Us' |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 18, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> "[[Betcha by Golly Wow!]]" (written by [[Thom Bell]] and [[Linda Creed]]);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=108308&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |title=BMI credits for "Betcha By Golly Wow!" |publisher=Repertoire.bmi.com |access-date=July 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030003327/http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=108308&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |archive-date=October 30, 2007}}</ref> "[[I Can't Make You Love Me]]" (written by James Allen Shamblin II and Michael Barry Reid);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=390493822&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030706180946/http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=390493822&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2003 |title=BMI credits for "I Can't Make You Love Me" |publisher=Ascap.com |access-date=July 18, 2009}}</ref> and "[[La-La (Means I Love You)]]" (written by Thom Bell and [[William Hart (singer)|William Hart]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=819010&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |title=BMI credits for "La-La Means I Love You" |publisher=Repertoire.bmi.com |access-date=July 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030003332/http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=819010&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |archive-date=October 30, 2007}}</ref>

Prince released ''[[Crystal Ball (album set)|Crystal Ball]]'', a five-CD collection of unreleased material, in 1998. The distribution of this album was disorderly, with some fans pre-ordering the album on his website up to a year before it was shipped; these pre-orders were delivered months after the record had gone on sale in retail stores. The retail edition has only four discs, as it is missing the ''Kamasutra'' disc. There are also two different packaging editions for retail; one is a four-disc sized jewel case with a white cover and the Love Symbol in a colored circle while the other contains all four discs in a round translucent snap jewel case. The discs are the same, as is the CD jacket. The ''[[Newpower Soul]]'' album was released three months later. His collaborations on [[Chaka Khan]]'s ''[[Come 2 My House]]'' and [[Larry Graham]]'s ''[[GCS2000]]'', both released on the NPG label around the same time as ''Newpower Soul'', were promoted by live appearances on ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe with Sinbad]]'' and the [[NBC]] ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today]]'' show's Summer Concert Series.

In 1999, Prince once again signed with a major label, [[Arista Records]], to release a new record, ''[[Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic]]''.

The pay-per-view concert, ''[[Rave Un2 the Year 2000]]'', was broadcast on December 31, 1999, and consisted of footage from the December 17 and 18 concerts of his 1999 tour. The concert featured appearances by guest musicians, including [[Lenny Kravitz]], [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]], Jimmy Russell, and the Time. It was released to home video the following year.

=== 2000–2007: ''Musicology'' and ''3121''  ===
On May 16, 2000, Prince stopped using the Love Symbol as his name, since his publishing contract with [[Warner Chappell Music|Warner/Chappell]] had expired. In a press conference, he stated that after being freed from undesirable relationships associated with the name "Prince", he would revert to using his real name. Nevertheless, Prince continued to use the symbol as a logo and on album artwork and to play a Love Symbol–shaped guitar. For several years following the release of ''Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic'', Prince primarily released new music through his Internet subscription service, NPGOnlineLtd.com, which later became NPGMusicClub.com.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bugbee|first1=Teo|title=Taylor Swift Follows Prince: The Artist Who Tamed the Corporate Giant|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/25/taylor-swift-is-the-new-prince-the-artist-that-tamed-the-corporate-giant.html|newspaper=The Daily Beast|access-date=May 8, 2016|date=June 25, 2015|archive-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506094200/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/25/taylor-swift-is-the-new-prince-the-artist-that-tamed-the-corporate-giant.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Albums from this period are ''[[Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic]]'' (2001), ''[[The Rainbow Children]]'' (2001), ''[[One Nite Alone...]]'' (2002), ''[[Xpectation]]'' (2003), ''[[C-Note (album)|C-Note]]'' (2004), ''[[The Chocolate Invasion]]'' (2004) and ''[[The Slaughterhouse]]'' (2004).

In 2001, Warner Bros. released a second compilation album, ''[[The Very Best of Prince]]'', containing most of his commercially successful singles from the 1980s. In 2002, Prince released his first live album, ''[[One Nite Alone... Live!]]'', which features performances from the [[One Nite Alone...Tour]]. The three-CD box set also includes a disc of "aftershow" music entitled ''It Ain't Over!''. During this time, Prince sought to engage more effectively with his fan base via the [[NPG Music Club]], pre-concert sound checks, and at yearly "celebrations" at Paisley Park, his music studios. Fans were invited into the studio for tours, interviews, discussions and music-listening sessions. Some of these fan discussions were filmed for an [[Unreleased Prince projects#Untitled Kevin Smith-directed documentary|unreleased documentary]], directed by [[Kevin Smith]].

On February 8, 2004, Prince appeared at the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards]] with [[Beyoncé]].<ref name="guardiansweeting" /><ref name="billboardrys">{{cite magazine|last1=Rys|first1=Dan|title=Prince and Beyonce at the 2004 Grammy Awards: The Story Behind How the Duet Came Together|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7341600/prince-beyonce-2004-grammy-awards-duet-producer-ken-ehrlich-interview|access-date=April 23, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423124903/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7341600/prince-beyonce-2004-grammy-awards-duet-producer-ken-ehrlich-interview|url-status=live}}</ref> In a performance that opened the show, they performed a medley of "Purple Rain", "Let's Go Crazy", "[[Baby I'm a Star]]", and Beyoncé's "[[Crazy in Love]]".<ref name="usatodayryan">{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Patrick|title=6 of Prince's most legendary live performances you need to see|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/04/21/prince-best-performances/83343520/|access-date=April 23, 2016|work=[[USA Today]]|date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422221656/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/04/21/prince-best-performances/83343520/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, Prince was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref name="mtvwiederhorn">{{cite web|last1=Wiederhorn|first1=Jon|title=Kid Rock Makes Jokes, Prince Makes Peace at Rock Hall Ceremony|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1485768/kid-rock-makes-jokes-prince-makes-peace-at-rock-hall-ceremony/|publisher=MTV News|access-date=April 23, 2016|date=March 16, 2004|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210101139/http://www.mtv.com/news/1485768/kid-rock-makes-jokes-prince-makes-peace-at-rock-hall-ceremony/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The award was presented to him by [[Alicia Keys]] along with [[Big Boi]] and [[André 3000]] of [[OutKast]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brucculieri|first1=Julia|title=Alicia Keys' Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Speech For Prince Perfectly Captures His Greatness|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/entry/alicia-keys-prince-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame_us_5719439ae4b0d4d3f722d15a|access-date=April 23, 2016|work=The Huffington Post|date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215190117/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/alicia-keys-prince-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame_us_5719439ae4b0d4d3f722d15a|url-status=live}}</ref> As well as performing a trio of his own hits during the ceremony, Prince also participated in a tribute to fellow inductee [[George Harrison]] in a rendering of Harrison's "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]", playing a two-minute guitar solo that ended the song.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|author-link1=Jon Pareles|title=Prince and Harrison Among Rock Hall of Fame Inductees|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/16/nyregion/prince-and-harrison-among-rock-hall-of-fame-inductees.html|access-date=April 23, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=March 16, 2004|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602180828/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/16/nyregion/prince-and-harrison-among-rock-hall-of-fame-inductees.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nekesa |first1=Mumbi Moody |author-link=Nekesa Mumbi Moody |date=March 16, 2004 |title=Prince reigns at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Prince-reigns-at-Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame-1139706.php |access-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210123214/https://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Prince-reigns-at-Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame-1139706.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="timelocker">{{cite magazine|last1=Locker|first1=Melissa|title=Watch Prince's Show-Stopping Guitar Solo at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|url=https://time.com/4303955/prince-guitar-solo-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/|access-date=April 27, 2016|magazine=Time|date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103174925/https://time.com/4303955/prince-guitar-solo-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also performed the song "[[Red House (song)|Red House]]" as "Purple House" on the album ''[[Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Greenblatt|first1=Mike|title=Jimi Hendrix: South Saturn Delta & Various Arists: Power Of Soul: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/05/25/jimi-hendrix-south-saturn-delta-various-arists-power-of-soul-a-tribute-to-jimi-hendrix/|access-date=April 25, 2016|work=[[The Aquarian Weekly]]|date=May 25, 2011|archive-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508073657/http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/05/25/jimi-hendrix-south-saturn-delta-various-arists-power-of-soul-a-tribute-to-jimi-hendrix/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2004, Prince released ''[[Musicology (album)|Musicology]]'' through a one-album agreement with Columbia. The album rose as high as the top five on some international charts (including the US, UK, Germany, and Australia). The US chart success was assisted by the CDs being included as part of the concert ticket purchase, thereby qualifying each CD (as chart rules then stood) to count toward US chart placement.<ref>{{cite web| last = D'Angelo| first = Joe| title = Billboard Sours on Prince's Musicology Sales Experiment: Magazine changes policy on tallying albums sold with tickets| publisher = MTV News| date = May 28, 2004| url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1488027/20040528/prince.jhtml| access-date = May 6, 2016| archive-date = July 10, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100710132424/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1488027/20040528/prince.jhtml| url-status = dead}}</ref> Three months later, ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' named him the greatest [[frontman]] of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/prince-tops-frontmen-poll|title=Prince Tops Frontmen Poll|date=July 27, 2004|magazine=[[Contactmusic.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629095753/http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/prince-tops-frontmen-poll|archive-date=June 29, 2013|url-status=live|access-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref> That same year, ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'' magazine named Prince as the highest-earning musician in the world, with an annual income of $56.5&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite news|title=Prince Crowned 'Top Music Earner'|work=BBC News|date=February 9, 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4251227.stm|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=April 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427161655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4251227.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> largely due to his [[Musicology Tour]], which [[Pollstar]] named as the top concert draw among musicians in the US. He played 96 concerts; the average ticket price for a show was US$61 ({{Inflation|US|61|2004|r=0|fmt=eq}}). ''Musicology'' went on to receive two Grammy wins, for [[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]] for "[[Call My Name (Prince song)|Call My Name]]" and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for the [[Musicology (song)|title track]]. ''Musicology'' was also nominated for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album, and "[[Cinnamon Girl (Prince song)|Cinnamon Girl]]" was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]]. ''Rolling Stone'' ranked Prince No. 27 on their [[Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time|list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time]].<ref name="rollingstone2004">{{cite magazine|last=Thompson|first=Ahmir|date=March 24, 2004|title=100 Greatest Artists|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-artists-of-all-time-19691231/prince-20110419|access-date=May 4, 2016|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921055527/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-artists-of-all-time-19691231/prince-20110419|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2005, Prince played guitar (along with [[En Vogue]] singing backing vocals) on [[Stevie Wonder]]'s single "[[So What the Fuss]]", Wonder's first since 1999. In late 2005, Prince signed with [[Universal Music]] to release his album, ''[[3121 (album)|3121]]'', on March 21, 2006. The first single was "[[Te Amo Corazón]]", the video for which was directed by actress [[Salma Hayek]] and filmed in [[Marrakech]], Morocco, featuring Argentine actress and singer [[Mía Maestro]]. The video for the second single, "[[Black Sweat]]", was nominated at the [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV VMAs]] for Best Cinematography. The immediate success of ''3121'' gave Prince his first No. 1 debut on the ''Billboard'' 200 with the album.

To promote the new album, Prince was the musical guest on ''Saturday Night Live'' on February 4, 2006, 17 years after his last ''SNL'' appearance on the 15th-anniversary special, and nearly 25 years since his first appearance on a regular episode in 1981.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Desire|title='Saturday Night Live' Announce 'Good Night Sweet Prince' Tribute|url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/04/prince-saturday-night-live-tribute/|access-date=May 8, 2016|work=Vibe|date=April 23, 2016|archive-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428205903/http://www.vibe.com/2016/04/prince-saturday-night-live-tribute/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2006 Webby Awards]] on June 12, Prince received a [[Webby Awards|Webby]] Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his "visionary use of the Internet to distribute music and connect with audiences", exemplified by his decision to release his album ''Crystal Ball'' (1998) exclusively online.<ref name="cnetsandoval">{{cite web|last1=Sandoval|first1=Greg|title=Prince: The artist who formerly liked the Internet|url=https://cnet.com/news/prince-the-artist-who-formerly-liked-the-internet/|website=[[CNET]]|access-date=April 23, 2016|date=November 13, 2007|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426150840/http://www.cnet.com/news/prince-the-artist-who-formerly-liked-the-internet/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="postohlheiser">{{cite news|last1=Ohlheiser|first1=Abby|title=Prince had a complicated relationship with the Internet|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/04/21/prince-had-a-long-complicated-relationship-with-the-internet/|access-date=April 23, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513165625/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/04/21/prince-had-a-long-complicated-relationship-with-the-internet/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2006, weeks after winning a Webby Award, Prince shut down his NPG Music Club website, after more than five years of operation.<ref name="efinn">{{cite news|last=Finn|first=Natalie|title=Prince Site Fades to Black|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/52791/prince-site-fades-to-black|website=[[E!|E! Online]]|access-date=April 23, 2016|date=July 13, 2006|archive-date=May 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531080254/http://www.eonline.com/news/52791/prince-site-fades-to-black|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="billboardnpg">{{cite magazine|title=Prince's NPG Music Club Shutting Down|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57854/princes-npg-music-club-shutting-down|access-date=April 23, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=July 12, 2006|archive-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425055912/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57854/princes-npg-music-club-shutting-down|url-status=live}}</ref> On the day of the music club's shutdown, a lawsuit was filed against Prince by the British company HM Publishing (owners of the [[Nature Publishing Group]], also NPG). Despite these events occurring on the same day, Prince's attorney stated that the site did not close due to the trademark dispute.<ref name="efinn" />

Prince appeared at multiple award ceremonies in 2006: on February 15, he performed at the [[2006 Brit Awards]], along with Wendy & Lisa and [[Sheila E.]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lars|title=Watch Prince Masterfully Perform 'Purple Rain' and 'Let's Go Crazy' at 2006 Brit Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7341608/prince-purple-rain-lets-go-crazy-2006-brit-awards|access-date=April 23, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=April 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424073116/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7341608/prince-purple-rain-lets-go-crazy-2006-brit-awards|url-status=live}}</ref> and on June 27, Prince appeared at the [[BET Awards 2006|2006 BET Awards]], where he was awarded Best Male R&B Artist. Prince performed a medley of Chaka Khan songs for Khan's BET Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref name="smhbet">{{cite news|title=You booty at BET awards|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/music/beyonce-prince-perform-at-bet-awards/2006/06/29/1151174310499.html|access-date=April 23, 2016|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=June 29, 2006|archive-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614081250/http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/beyonce-prince-perform-at-bet-awards/2006/06/29/1151174310499.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, he was invited to dub the Prince XII cat in the film ''[[Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties]]'', but gave up for unknown reasons and was replaced by actor [[Tim Curry]].

In November 2006, Prince was inducted into the [[UK Music Hall of Fame]];<ref name="guardiansweeting" /> he appeared to collect his award but did not perform. Also in November 2006, Prince opened a nightclub called 3121, in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] at the [[Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino]]. He performed weekly on Friday and Saturday nights until April 2007, when his contract with the Rio ended.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-21 |title=Prince and his breathtaking run at the Rio Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2016/apr/21/remembering-prince-his-breathtaking-run-rio-vegas-/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Las Vegas Sun}}</ref> On August 22, 2006, Prince released ''[[Ultimate Prince]]''. The double-disc set contains one CD of previous hits, and another of extended versions and mixes of material that had largely only previously been available on vinyl record B-sides. That same year, Prince wrote and performed a song for the hit animated film ''[[Happy Feet]]'' (2006). The song – "[[The Song of the Heart (song)|The Song of the Heart]]" – appears on the film's [[Happy Feet: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack]], which also features a cover of Prince's earlier hit "Kiss", sung by [[Nicole Kidman]] and [[Hugh Jackman]]. In January 2007, "The Song of the Heart" won a [[Golden Globe Award|Golden Globe]] for Best Original Song.<ref>{{cite web| title = Golden Globe Awards| publisher = goldenglobes.org| url = http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/30963| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100713105947/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/30963| archive-date = July 13, 2010| df = mdy-all}}</ref>

=== 2007–2010: Super Bowl XLI show, ''Planet Earth'' and ''Lotusflower'' ===
[[File:Prince-O2-Scene-2008-0828.jpg|thumb|Prince's stage set for the Earth Tour in 2007|alt=|upright=1.2]]
On February 4, 2007, Prince played at the [[Super Bowl XLI halftime show]] in Miami, Florida, on a large stage shaped like his symbol. The event was carried to 140&nbsp;million television viewers, his biggest-ever audience.<ref name="Hoekstra">{{Cite news|title=Purple Rain Turned Super |date=February 5, 2007 |access-date=February 5, 2007 |first=Dave |last=Hoekstra |url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/243107,CST-FTR-super05.article |work=Chicago Sun-Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412054158/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/243107%2CCST-FTR-super05.article |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> His 12-minute performance in the rain began with an intro of the Queen song "[[We Will Rock You]]" and concluded with "Purple Rain".<ref>{{cite web |title=Prince Makes It Rain During His Iconic Super Bowl XLI Halftime Performance 13 Years Ago [Watch] |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/prince-super-bowl-xli-halftime-show/ |website=liveforlivemusic.com |publisher=Live for Live Music |access-date=November 29, 2020 |date=June 7, 2020 |archive-date=December 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212042856/https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/prince-super-bowl-xli-halftime-show/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' ranked it the greatest Super Bowl performance ever.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=10 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/513793/10-best-super-bowl-halftime-shows|date=January 30, 2015|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=January 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125204721/http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/513793/10-best-super-bowl-halftime-shows|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prince played 21 concerts at [[The O2 Arena|the O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] in London during the [[Earth Tour (Prince)|Earth Tour]] in mid-2007. Tickets for the 20,000-capacity venue were capped by Prince at £31.21 ($48.66). Featuring [[Maceo Parker]] in his band, Prince's residency at the O<sub>2</sub> Arena was increased to 15 nights after all 140,000 tickets for the original seven sold out in 20 minutes,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/prince/28295 |title=Prince Shows Sell Out in Minutes |work=[[NME]] |date=May 11, 2007 |access-date=July 18, 2009 |archive-date=October 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010093030/http://www.nme.com/news/prince/28295 |url-status=live }}</ref> before it was then further extended to 21 nights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/070611/340/h9t0h.html&e=l_news_dm |title=Prince extends tour |work=Yahoo! Music News |date=June 11, 2007 |access-date=July 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427023704/http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=%2F070611%2F340%2Fh9t0h.html&e=l_news_dm |archive-date=April 27, 2011}}</ref>

Prince performed with Sheila E. at the 2007 [[ALMA Award]]s. On June 28, 2007, the ''[[The Mail on Sunday|Mail on Sunday]]'' stated that it had made a deal to give Prince's new album, ''[[Planet Earth (Prince album)|Planet Earth]]'', away for free with the paper, making it the first place in the world to get the album. This move sparked controversy among music distributors and also led the UK arm of Prince's distributor, [[Sony BMG]], to withdraw from distributing the album in UK stores.<ref>{{cite news| last = Allen| first = Katie| title = Music industry attacks Sunday newspaper's free Prince CD| work = The Guardian| location = UK| date = June 29, 2007| url = http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2114557,00.html| access-date = July 18, 2009| archive-date = October 15, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015234544/http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0%2C%2C2114557%2C00.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The UK's largest high street music retailer, [[HMV]], stocked the paper on release day due to the giveaway. On July 7, 2007, Prince returned to Minneapolis to perform three shows. He performed concerts at the [[Macy's]] Auditorium (to promote his new perfume "3121") on [[Nicollet Mall]], the [[Target Center]] arena, and [[First Avenue (nightclub)|First Avenue]].<ref>{{cite web| last = DeRusha | first = Jason | title = Prince Thrills Fans With 3 Minneapolis Shows| publisher=wcco.com| date = July 7, 2007| url = http://wcco.com/local/prince.3121.concert.2.368625.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618090402/http://wcco.com/local/prince.3121.concert.2.368625.html|archive-date=June 18, 2010}}</ref> It was the first time he had played at First Avenue (the club appeared in the film ''Purple Rain'') since 1987.<ref>{{cite news| title = Prince plays 3 shows in his hometown| work = USA Today| date = July 8, 2007| url = https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-07-08-2962442629_x.htm| access-date = September 8, 2017| archive-date = June 23, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100623234306/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-07-08-2962442629_x.htm| url-status = live}}</ref>

[[File:Prince at Coachella (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Prince at the [[Coachella Festival]] in 2008]]
From 2008, Prince was managed by UK-based Kiran Sharma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/the-asian-awards/352883-princes-manager-shortlisted-for-asian-woman-of-achievement-award|title=Prince's Manager Shortlisted For Asian Woman of Achievement Award|publisher=MTV News|access-date=September 30, 2014|archive-date=February 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212025810/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/the-asian-awards/352883-princes-manager-shortlisted-for-asian-woman-of-achievement-award|url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 25, 2008, Prince performed on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', where he debuted a new song, "Turn Me Loose". Days after, he headlined the 2008 [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella Festival]]. Prince was paid more than $5&nbsp;million for his performance at Coachella, according to [[Reuters]].<ref>{{cite news|last = Sulugiuc|first = Gelu|title = Prince reigns at California music festival|work = Reuters|date = April 28, 2008|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2641346220080428|access-date = July 1, 2017|archive-date = October 20, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201020180016/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2641346220080428|url-status = live}}</ref> Prince canceled a concert, planned at Dublin's [[Croke Park]] on June 16, 2008, at 10 days' notice. In October 2009 promoters [[MCD Productions]] went to court to sue him for €1.6&nbsp;million to refund 55,126 tickets. Prince settled the case out of court in February 2010 for $2.95&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prince settles cancelled Dublin gig case|work=BBC News|date=February 26, 2010|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8539066.stm|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923185141/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8539066.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pogatchnik |first=Shawn |title=Prince ordered to pay Irish promoter $3&nbsp;million |agency=Associated Press |date=March 26, 2010 |url=http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100326/D9EMAU8G0.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329132933/http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100326/D9EMAU8G0.html |archive-date=March 29, 2010}}</ref> During the trial, it was said that Prince had been offered $22&nbsp;million for seven concerts as part of a proposed 2008 European tour.<ref>{{cite news| title = Singer Prince Settles Lawsuit Over Axed Dublin Gig| newspaper = Boston Globe| first = Shawn| last = Pogatchnik| date = February 26, 2010| url = http://archive.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2010/02/26/singer_prince_settles_lawsuit_over_axed_dublin_gig/| access-date = April 25, 2016| archive-date = May 13, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160513084425/http://archive.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2010/02/26/singer_prince_settles_lawsuit_over_axed_dublin_gig/| url-status = live}}</ref> In October 2008, Prince released a live album entitled ''[[Indigo Nights]]'', a collection of songs performed live at aftershows in the IndigO2.

Prince premiered four songs from his new album on LA's Indie rock radio station [[KDLD|Indie 103.1]] on December 18, 2008.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|title=Prince Premieres Four New Songs on L.A.'s Indie 103; New Album on the Way|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/prince-premieres-four-new-songs-on-l-a-s-indie-103-new-album-on-the-way-20081218|access-date=April 16, 2012|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 18, 2008|archive-date=June 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628144657/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/prince-premieres-four-new-songs-on-l-a-s-indie-103-new-album-on-the-way-20081218|url-status=live}}</ref> The radio station's programmers Max Tolkoff and [[Mr. Shovel's Check One Two|Mark Sovel]] had been invited to Prince's home to hear the new rock-oriented music. Prince gave them a CD with four songs to premiere on their radio station. The music debuted the next day on Jonesy's Jukebox, hosted by former [[Sex Pistols|Sex Pistol]] [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-dec-19-et-prince19-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Ann | last=Powers | title=103.1 debuts new Prince tracks | date=December 19, 2008 | access-date=December 6, 2019 | archive-date=May 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509192601/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/dec/19/entertainment/et-prince19 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 3, 2009, the new website LotusFlow3r.com was launched; streaming and selling some of the recently aired material and concert tickets. On January 31, Prince released two more songs on LotusFlow3r.com: "Disco Jellyfish", and "Another Boy". "Chocolate Box", "Colonized Mind", and "All This Love" were later released on the website. Prince released a triple album set containing ''[[Lotusflower (album)|Lotusflower]]'', ''MPLSoUND'', and an album credited to [[Bria Valente]], called ''Elixer'', on March 24, 2009, followed by a physical release on March 29.

On July 18, 2009, Prince performed two shows at the [[Montreux Jazz Festival]], backed by the New Power Generation, including Rhonda Smith, Renato Neto and [[John Blackwell (musician)|John Blackwell]]. On October 11, 2009, he gave two surprise concerts at the [[Grand Palais]] in Paris.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tickets to Prince's Paris Shows Sell out in 77 Minutes|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jbJU2ikQ8Cq553Mo13-ZsNqIe4lg|access-date=April 22, 2016|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=October 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401054419/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jbJU2ikQ8Cq553Mo13-ZsNqIe4lg|archive-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref> On October 12, he gave another surprise performance at [[La Cigale]]. On October 24, Prince played a concert at Paisley Park.<ref>{{cite web| last = Anthony| first = Steven | title = All Day, All Night – How I Spent My Weekend at Paisley Park| work=The Musictionary| date = October 26, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091031023040/http://themusictionary.com/?p=2790 | url = http://themusictionary.com/?p=2790 |archive-date= October 31, 2009}}</ref>

=== 2010–2016: Final albums ===
In January 2010, Prince wrote a new song, "Purple and Gold", inspired by his visit to a [[Minnesota Vikings]] football game against the [[Dallas Cowboys]].<ref name="Vikings">{{cite web| title = Prince Releases Minnesota Vikings Song| publisher=myfox9.com| date = January 21, 2010| url =http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/sports/prince-reveals-song-for-vikings-saints-game|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316230948/http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/sports/prince-reveals-song-for-vikings-saints-game|archive-date=March 16, 2010}}</ref> The following month, he let [[Minneapolis-St. Paul]] public radio station [[KCMP|89.3 The Current]] premiere his new song "Cause and Effect" as a gesture in support of [[independent radio]].<ref>{{cite magazine| last = Kreps| first = Daniel | title = Prince Gives New 'Cause and Effect' to Minnesota Public Radio |magazine=Rolling Stone| date = February 26, 2010| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/26/prince-gives-new-cause-and-effect-to-minnesota-public-radio/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100301063138/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/26/prince-gives-new-cause-and-effect-to-minnesota-public-radio/| url-status = dead| archive-date = March 1, 2010|access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>

In 2010, Prince was listed in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s annual ranking of the "100 Most Influential People in the World".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1984685,00.html|title=Full List – The 2010 TIME 100|magazine=Time|access-date=August 4, 2010|date=April 29, 2010|archive-date=July 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703021915/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0%2C29569%2C1984685%2C00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He released a new single on [[Minneapolis-St. Paul]] radio station [[89.3 The Current]] called "Hot Summer" on June 7, his 52nd birthday. The same month, Prince appeared on the cover of the July 2010 issue of ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite web| title = Prince Covers Ebony's July 2010 Issue| work = Entertainment Rundown| date = June 7, 2010| url = http://entertainmentrundown.com/31044/prince-covers-ebonys-july-2010-issue/| access-date = October 15, 2010| archive-date = December 16, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101216070408/http://entertainmentrundown.com/31044/prince-covers-ebonys-july-2010-issue/| url-status = live}}</ref> and he received the [[BET Lifetime Achievement Award|Lifetime Achievement Award]] at the 2010 [[BET Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957770/prince-to-be-honored-by-bet |title=Prince To Be Honored By BET |magazine=Billboard |agency=Associated Press|date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=August 4, 2010 |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522045407/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957770/prince-to-be-honored-by-bet |url-status=live }}</ref>

Prince released his album ''[[20Ten]]'' in July 2010 as a free [[covermount]] with publications in the UK, Belgium, Germany, and France.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957575/prince-to-release-20ten-for-free-in-europe |first=Andre |last=Paine |title=Prince To Release '20Ten' For Free in Europe |magazine=Billboard |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=August 4, 2010 |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515205510/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957575/prince-to-release-20ten-for-free-in-europe |url-status=live }}</ref> He refused album access to digital download services and closed LotusFlow3r.com. On July 4, 2010, Prince began his [[20Ten Tour]], a concert tour in two legs, with shows in Europe. The second leg began on October 15<ref>{{cite news| last = Bream| first = Jon| title = Prince postpones concert in Helsinki| newspaper = Star Tribune| date = October 5, 2010| url = http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/104371243.html?elr=KArks:DCiUo3PD:3D_V_qD3L:c7cQKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU| access-date = May 5, 2016| archive-date = July 7, 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140707050407/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/104371243.html?elr=KArks:DCiUo3PD:3D_V_qD3L:c7cQKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU| url-status = live}}</ref> and ended with a concert following the [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] on November 14.<ref>{{cite web| last = Sever| first = Brooke| title = Kanye West and Prince join F1 line-up| work = digitalproductionme| date = September 28, 2010| url = http://www.digitalproductionme.com/article-3279-kanye-west-and-prince-join-f1-line-up/| access-date = October 15, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160428051428/http://www.digitalproductionme.com/article-3279-kanye-west-and-prince-join-f1-line-up/| archive-date = April 28, 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref> The second half of the tour had a new band, John Blackwell, [[Ida Kristine Nielsen]], and Sheila E.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/09/30/official-prince-tour-announcement/ |title=Official PRINCE Tour Announcement |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=September 30, 2010 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003062548/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/09/30/official-prince-tour-announcement/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Prince let radio station [[Europe 1]] debut the snippet of his new song "Rich Friends" from the new album ''20Ten Deluxe'' on October 8, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/10/08/new-prince-song-snippet-rich-friends-listen-now/ |title=New Prince Song Snippet!~ "Rich Friends" Listen Now |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=October 8, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113114032/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/10/08/new-prince-song-snippet-rich-friends-listen-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He embarked on the [[Welcome 2]] Tour on December 15, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/12/16/prince-rocks-opening-night-of-his-welcome-2-america-tour-at-the-izod/ |title=Prince Rocks Opening Night of His 'Welcome 2 America' Tour at the Izod |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=December 16, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-date=January 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119091616/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/12/16/prince-rocks-opening-night-of-his-welcome-2-america-tour-at-the-izod/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Prince was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]] on December 7, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/12/07/prince-the-revolutions-purple-rain-get-grammy-induction-my-thoughts/ |title=PRINCE & The Revolution's "Purple Rain" Get Grammy Induction + My Thoughts |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=December 7, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110024851/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/12/07/prince-the-revolutions-purple-rain-get-grammy-induction-my-thoughts/? |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Prince Paris - June 30th, 2011.png|thumb|upright=0.75|Prince performing in Paris, 2011]]
Prince presented [[Barbra Streisand]] with an award and donated $1.5&nbsp;million to charities on February 12, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2011/02/12/prince-presents-barbra-striesand-with-award-gives-away-1-5-million-to-charities/ |title=Prince Presents Barbra Streisand With Award; Gives Away 1.5&nbsp;million To Charities |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-date=February 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217054936/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2011/02/12/prince-presents-barbra-striesand-with-award-gives-away-1-5-million-to-charities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the same day, it was reported that he had not authorized the television show ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' to cover his hit "Kiss", in an episode that had already been filmed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2011/02/12/exclusive-prince-not-happy-with-glee-over-use-of-kiss/ |title=Exclusive! Prince Not Happy With "Glee" Over Use Of "Kiss" |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224111537/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2011/02/12/exclusive-prince-not-happy-with-glee-over-use-of-kiss/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Prince headlined the [[Hop Farm Festival]] on July 3, 2011, marking his first UK show since 2007 and his first-ever UK festival appearance.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Ann|title=Prince to Join Morrissey and Brandon Flowers at Hop Farm Festival 2011|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/music/863641-prince-to-join-morrissey-and-brandon-flowers-at-hop-farm-festival-2011|access-date=April 16, 2012|work=Metro|date=March 30, 2012|archive-date=April 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429064002/http://www.metro.co.uk/music/863641-prince-to-join-morrissey-and-brandon-flowers-at-hop-farm-festival-2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite having previously rejected the Internet for music distribution, on November 24, 2011, he released a reworked version of the previously unreleased song "Extraloveable" through both [[iTunes]] and [[Spotify]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2011/11/23/prince-releases-new-song-extraloveable-listen-now/ |title=Prince released new song 'extraloveable' |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=November 23, 2011 |access-date=December 6, 2011 |archive-date=November 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126185304/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2011/11/23/prince-releases-new-song-extraloveable-listen-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Purple Music, a Switzerland-based record label, released a CD single titled "Dance 4 Me" on December 12, 2011, as part of a club remixes package including the Bria Valente CD single "2 Nite" released on February 23, 2012. The CD features club remixes by Jamie Lewis and David Alexander, produced by Prince.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.purplemusic.ch/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-singlemp3.tpl&product_id=2700 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623131957/http://www.purplemusic.ch/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-singlemp3.tpl&product_id=2700 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |title=Bria Valente |publisher=Purplemusic.ch |date=February 23, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2012 }}</ref>

In January 2013, Prince released a [[lyric video]] for a new song called "Screwdriver".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/prince-posts-clip-for-new-song-screwdriver-20130123 |title=Prince Posts Clip for New Song 'Screwdriver' |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=January 24, 2013 |date=January 23, 2013 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123214815/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/prince-posts-clip-for-new-song-screwdriver-20130123 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2013, Prince announced a West Coast tour titled [[Live Out Loud Tour]] with [[3rdeyegirl]] as his backing band.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/?s=3rdeyegirl+tour+dates |title=3rdeyegirl tour dates |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |access-date=August 31, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054747/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/?s=3rdeyegirl+tour+dates |url-status=live }}</ref> The final two dates of the first leg of the tour were in Minneapolis-St. Paul, where former Revolution drummer Bobby Z. sat in as guest drummer on both shows.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2013/05/24/bobby-z-will-play-purple-rain-with-prince-at-the-myth/ |title=Bobby Z. Will Play "Purple Rain" With Prince at the Myth! |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |archive-date=September 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912131612/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2013/05/24/bobby-z-will-play-purple-rain-with-prince-at-the-myth/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May, Prince announced a deal with Kobalt Music to market and distribute his music.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2013/05/20/prince-kobalt-make-marketing-distribution-deal-official/ |title=Prince & Kobalt Make Marketing & Distribution Deal Official |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=May 20, 2013 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054744/http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2013/05/20/prince-kobalt-make-marketing-distribution-deal-official/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 14, 2013, Prince released a new solo single for download through the 3rdeyegirl.com website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://3rdeyegirl.com/#music|title=3RDEYEGIRL – PLECTRUMELECTRUM|work=New Album – PLECTRUMELECTRUM|access-date=September 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229090034/http://www.3rdeyegirl.com/#music|archive-date=December 29, 2013}}</ref> The single "Breakfast Can Wait" had cover art featuring comedian [[Dave Chappelle]]'s impersonation of him, from a 2004 second-season ''[[Chappelle's Show]]'' comedy sketch on [[Comedy Central]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/08/19/prince-dave-chappelle/ |last1=Rahman |first1=Ray |title=Dave Chappelle and Prince, together at last! (Sort of) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 19, 2013 |access-date=August 21, 2013 |archive-date=August 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821013314/http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/08/19/prince-dave-chappelle/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2014, he performed concerts with 3rdeyegirl in London titled the [[Hit and Run Tour (Prince tour 2014)|Hit and Run Tour]]. Beginning with intimate shows, the first was held at the London home of singer [[Lianne La Havas]], followed by two performances of what Prince described as a "sound check" at the [[Electric Ballroom]] in [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26045864 |work=BBC News |title=Prince to charge $10 for live shows |date=February 5, 2014 |access-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205110806/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26045864 |url-status=live }}</ref> and another at [[Shepherd's Bush Empire]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bychawski|first1=Adam|title=Prince's Band Release Live Footage of Shepherds Bush Empire Gig|url=https://www.nme.com/news/prince/75479|access-date=April 22, 2016|work=NME|date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120028/http://www.nme.com/news/prince/75479|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 18, 2014, Prince released a new single entitled "The Breakdown". He re-signed with his former label, Warner Bros. Records after an 18-year split.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27081344|title=Prince re-signs with 'slave' label Warner Bros Records|website=BBC News|date=April 18, 2014|access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref> Warner announced that Prince would release a remastered deluxe edition of ''Purple Rain'' in 2014 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album. In return, Warner gave Prince ownership of the master recordings of his recordings with the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/purple-rain-deluxe-due-as-prince-and-warners-sign-new-agreement/ |title=Purple Rain Deluxe Edition |publisher=Super Deluxe Edition |date=April 18, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913122913/http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/purple-rain-deluxe-due-as-prince-and-warners-sign-new-agreement/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2014/04/18/304572413/prince-fans-prepare-for-the-deluge |publisher=NPR |title=Prince Fans Prepare for the Deluge|first= Michaelangelo |last=Matos|date=April 19, 2014 |access-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-date=April 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423235209/http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2014/04/18/304572413/prince-fans-prepare-for-the-deluge |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2014, Prince began what was billed as his "Hit N Run Part One" tour. This involved Prince's Twitter followers keeping an avid eye on second-by-second information as to the whereabouts of his shows. Many of these shows would only be announced on the day of the concert, and many of these concerts involved two performances: a [[wikt:matinée|matinee]] and an evening show. These shows began at [[Camden Town|Camden]]'s Electric Ballroom, billed as "Soundchecks", and spread throughout the UK capital to KoKo Club, in Camden, Shepherd's Bush Empire and various other small venues. After his London dates, he moved on to other European cities. In May 2014, Prince began his "Hit N Run Part Two" shows, which followed a more normal style of purchasing tickets online and being held in music arenas. In Spring 2014, he launched '''NPG Publishing''', a music company to administer his own music and that of other artists without the restrictions of mainstream record companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/948911d73f9941fd938df975a3dc5f6f/day-prince-paisley-park|title=A day with Prince at Paisley Park|website=Bigstory.ap.org|first=Nekesa Mumbi|last=Moody|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203014727/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/948911d73f9941fd938df975a3dc5f6f/day-prince-paisley-park|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 2015, following the [[killing of Freddie Gray]] in police custody and the subsequent [[2015 Baltimore riots|riots]], Prince released a song, "Baltimore", in tribute to Gray and in support of the protesters in that city.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/01/prince-records-tribute-baltimore-freddie-gray |title= Prince records tribute to Baltimore and Freddie Gray |newspaper= The Guardian |date= May 1, 2015 |access-date= May 5, 2016 |archive-date= April 28, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160428135808/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/01/prince-records-tribute-baltimore-freddie-gray |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/baltimore-insider-blog/bal-prince-song-freddie-gray20150502-story.html |title= Prince to release song dedicated to Baltimore |date= May 2, 2015 |work= [[The Baltimore Sun]] |access-date= May 5, 2016 |archive-date= May 4, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160504162000/http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/baltimore-insider-blog/bal-prince-song-freddie-gray20150502-story.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/30/us/baltimore-prince-song-freddie-gray/ |title= CNN Exclusive: Prince records ode to Baltimore after Freddie Gray protests |first1= Steve |last1= Forrest |first2= Ben |last2= Brumfield |publisher= CNN |date= May 1, 2015 |access-date= May 9, 2016 |archive-date= May 9, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160509170844/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/30/us/baltimore-prince-song-freddie-gray/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/baltimore-riots-prince-records-tribute-song-after-freddie-gray-dies-in-police-custody-10219437.html |access-date= May 9, 2016 |title= Baltimore riots: Prince records tribute song after Freddie Gray dies in police custody |first= Jess |last= Denham |work= The Independent |date= May 1, 2015 |location= London |archive-date= May 9, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160509122218/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/baltimore-riots-prince-records-tribute-song-after-freddie-gray-dies-in-police-custody-10219437.html |url-status= live }}</ref> He also held a tribute concert for Gray at his Paisley Park estate called "Dance Rally 4 Peace" in which he encouraged fans to wear the color gray in honor of Freddie Gray.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://consequence.net/2015/05/prince-holds-dance-party-in-tribute-to-freddie-gray/ |title= Prince holds dance party in tribute to Freddie Gray |first= Alex |last= Young |magazine= Consequence of Sound |date= May 4, 2015 |access-date= January 17, 2023 |archive-date= January 17, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230117053034/https://consequence.net/2015/05/prince-holds-dance-party-in-tribute-to-freddie-gray/ |url-status= live }}</ref> On May 10, he performed a special concert at the [[Royal Farms Arena]] in [[Baltimore]] called "Rally 4 Peace", which featured a special appearance by [[State's attorney|Baltimore State's Attorney]] [[Marilyn Mosby]], and one set performed by Prince alone at a keyboard.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/12/arts/music/review-prince-royal-farms-arena-baltimore.html|title=Review: Prince, in Baltimore, Nods to Unrest in Song and Asides|last=Ratliff|first=Ben|date=May 11, 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 26, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040841/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/12/arts/music/review-prince-royal-farms-arena-baltimore.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prince's [[penultimate]] album, ''[[Hit n Run Phase One]]'', was first made available on September 7, 2015, on the music streaming service [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]] before being released on CD and for download on September 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/48123/20150915/princes-album-hitnrun-longer-tidal-exclusive-technically.htm|title=Prince's Album 'HITNRUN' no Longer a Tidal Exclusive, Technically|work=Music Times|first=William |last=Hoffman|date=September 15, 2015|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080434/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/48123/20150915/princes-album-hitnrun-longer-tidal-exclusive-technically.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> His final album, ''[[Hit n Run Phase Two]]'', was meant as a continuation of this, and was released on Tidal for streaming and download on December 12, 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/12/hitnrun-phase-two-prince-tidal|title=Prince releases ''HITNRUN Phase Two'' on Tidal|first=Jessica|last=Derschowitz|date=December 12, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310011244/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/12/hitnrun-phase-two-prince-tidal|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2016, Prince embarked on the [[Piano & A Microphone Tour]], a tour that saw his show stripped back to only him and a custom piano on stage. He performed a series of warm-up shows at Paisley Park in late January 2016 and the tour commenced in [[Melbourne]], Australia, on February 16, 2016, to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/prince-melbourne-review-five-stars-for-the-most-intimate-australian-show-of-his-career-20160216-gmvvci.html|title=Prince Melbourne review. Five stars for the most intimate Australian show of his career|first=Martin |last=Boulton|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=February 17, 2016|access-date=February 17, 2016|archive-date=February 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217213510/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/prince-melbourne-review-five-stars-for-the-most-intimate-australian-show-of-his-career-20160216-gmvvci.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Australian and New Zealand legs of the tour were played in small-capacity venues, including the [[Sydney Opera House]]. ''Hit n Run Phase Two'' CDs were distributed to every attendee after each performance. The tour continued to the United States but was abruptly cut short by illness in April 2016.