Prince’s 3121 Vault Opens
Originally published by AllHipHop Read the original
Prince‘s estate previewed an expanded 3121 with the unreleased “Time of Ur Life,” setting a December 11 release.
The 12-song album gains 10 bonus tracks, including acoustic versions of “The Word,” “Love” and “Te Amo Corazón.” Digital, two-CD/Blu-ray and three-LP/Blu-ray editions are planned, Variety reported.
“Prince: 3121 Las Vegas Concert” reaches U.S. and Canadian theaters December 3. Tickets go on sale November 11. The 154-minute film and Blu-ray capture his January 20, 2007, show.
The album marked a major chart return. 3121 became his fourth Billboard 200 No. 1, as AllHipHop previously reported. His last had been the Batman soundtrack in 1989, a gap of 17 years. Its first week brought 183,000 U.S. sales and a No. 1 debut on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, too.
His official channel has a “Lolita” clip from the concert.
That Vegas run put him in a much smaller setting than an arena. In a firsthand review of the residency, Travel Weekly writer Ellen Sterling described a converted showroom at the Rio, with most fans on their feet and limited tables along the walls.
At the show she attended, Prince performed from 12:30 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. He played “Black Sweat” and “Te Amo Corazón” alongside “Kiss,” but left out “When Doves Cry” despite requests. Sterling described a small stage with musicians on several levels and low lighting that made her listen more closely.
The original album mixed several styles. Pitchfork critic Joe Tangari heard Latin rhythms alongside electronic funk, pointing to the horns on “Get On the Boat” and synthesizers on “Love.”
The album also made its mark at the 2007 Grammys. The Recording Academy nominated 3121 for Best R&B Album, with its title track up for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. “Black Sweat” earned two nominations: Best R&B Song and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Prince shared another nomination with singer Támar for “Beautiful, Loved and Blessed,” in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals category.
3121 arrived in stores March 21, 2006. The 3121 Las Vegas Live concert album is due November 27 on vinyl and CD for Record Store Day Black Friday.
