LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19: Musician Prince is seen on stage at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Prince was honored with the Vanguard Award. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Roomies, the death of a music legend typically comes with the end of experiencing new tracks. Thankfully for Prince fans, the narrative will be different! A new album named ‘Welcome 2 America’ will grace our ears this summer on July 30th. The announcement was made on Thursday by Prince’s estate, via his official YouTube channel.
According to the description box under the album’s teaser video, “The statement album ‘Welcome 2 America’ documents Prince’s concerns, hopes, and visions for a shifting society, presciently foreshadowing an era of political division, disinformation, and a renewed fight for racial justice.”
The estate also revealed that the 12-track album was recorded in 2010, but “mysteriously archived by Prince.” ‘Welcome 2 America’ features some of the artist’s only studio collaborations with talented musicians including “bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, drummer Chris Coleman, and engineer Jason Agel.” Contributions were also made by “New Power Generation singers Shelby J, Liv Warfield and Elisa Fiorillo.” Keyboardist Morris Hayes also blessed the album with his instrumental skills and production talents as co-producer.
The description is accompanied by a 5-minute album teaser video. Prince can be seen in five, still-image poses while his poetic voice both sings and speaks.
In true Prince fashion, the estate is going all out with the release. The deluxe edition of the album will be packaged in “luxe gold-foil” designed by two GRAMMY-nominated creatives — artist Mathieu Bitton and creative director Trevor Guy. Inside the package, fans can expect a 2LP and CD version of ‘Welcome 2 America’ and a “never before released Blu-ray of Prince’s full April 28, 2011 performance at The Forum.” Also included is a 32-page companion book, an envelope with exclusive nostalgic items such as print art, a poster and backstage passes.
If summertime seems too long to wait, no worries, fans can catch a slight debut on Sunday’s episode of ’60 Minutes,’ according to CBS.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Prince’s death.
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