3121 (pronounced "thirty-one twenty-one") is the thirty-first studio album by American musician Prince. Released on March 21, 2006 (3/21) by NPG Records and distributed, under a "one-album deal", by Universal Music, the album reinforced Prince's big comeback after the critical success of Musicology (2004). The only Prince album ever to debut atop the Billboard 200 during his lifetime, with over 180,000 copies sold in its first week, it knocked the soundtrack for High School Musical off the top spot and became Prince's first number one album since Batman in 1989, eventually being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Album information The album's first single, "Te Amo Corazón", was released in the United States on December 13, 2005; the second single, "Black Sweat", was released on February 2, 2006.
The album title refers to Prince's rental home at 3121 Antelo Rd, Los Angeles. Later homes rented by Prince were colloquially referred to as "3121", including a home owned by professional basketball player Carlos Boozer.
Album sessions started in November 2004 with the recording of the song "3121" at Paisley Park with Michael Bland and Sonny T.
A limited number of albums included "purple tickets", whose finders were flown in from Europe, Asia, Mexico and the US to attend a semi-private performance (along with a long list of celebrities) at Prince's home in Los Angeles.
Tickets for Prince's The Earth Tour in 2007 at London's O2 Arena were priced at £31.21, echoing the title of this album.
Track listing All tracks are written and produced by Prince.
Personnel Michael Bland (on "3121"), Cora Coleman Dunham (on "Te Amo Corazón," "Get On the Boat") – drums Sonny T (on "3121"), Joshua Dunham (on "Te Amo Corazón," "Get On the Boat") – bass Maceo Parker, Candy Dulfer, Greg Boyer and Ray – horn section Herbert Urena, Ricky Salas (on "Te Amo Corazón"), Sheila E. (on "Get On the Boat") – percussion Clare Fischer – string arrangements The New Power Generation (shouts), Támar (and co-lead on "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed") – additional and backing vocals Prince – all other instruments and voices Technical Produced by Prince Photo: Afshin Shahidi Designer: Sam Jennings Recorded at Paisley Park Studios and 3121 Engineered by Ian Boxill, L. Stu Young Assisted by Lisa Chamblee Hampton Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for 3121 Chart (2006) Peak position
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for 3121 Chart (2006) Position Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) 75 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 53 French Albums (SNEP) 193 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 97 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) 60 US Billboard 200 134 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 46
Certifications
References
External links 3121 countdown and contest details