MORE “Welcome 2 America” was recorded in 2010 and finally released to the public on July 30, 2021. Credit: Prince/YouTube
Pop artist Prince sold more than 100 million records in his lifetime, and recorded dozens of studio albums, film soundtracks, and concerts. That’s just what was released to the public.
When Prince died in 2016, he left behind thousands of unreleased recordings in what his estate calls “The Vault.” In that trove was at least one entire album, which was released on July 30. It’s called “Welcome 2 America,” and was recorded in 2010, but ultimately shelved. The LP features prescient insights about America’s fracturing society that combined with its fresh funk and R&B make the work feel as relevant today as ever.