Studio Album · No. 16
The Gold Experience Songwriting Credits by Prince
Produced by Prince · Engineered by David Friedlander, Ray Hahnfeldt, Tom Tucker, Steve Durkee
Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented
Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Prince carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Prince wrote, performed, and produced the album almost entirely himself, and is credited as a recording engineer alongside his studio team. He released it under his 'Love Symbol' name during his public contract dispute with Warner Bros., the period when he appeared with 'Slave' written on his face in protest over ownership of his masters. That conflict shadowed the album's rollout, even as it delivered his biggest single of the era in 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.'
Released September 26, 1995, on NPG Records and Warner Bros. Records, The Gold Experience was credited to Prince's unpronounceable Love Symbol stage name, recorded between January 1993 and July 1994. Prince produced the entire album, with co-writing credits on individual tracks shared with Nona Gaye on 'We March' and Michael B. Nelson on 'Billy Jack Bitch.' The album blends funk rock, funk, and hard rock, and critic Robert Christgau noted it showcased a renewal with heightened intensity, while Vibe called it Prince's strongest work since Sign 'O' the Times. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top R&B Albums chart, with 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World' reaching No. 3 on the Hot 100 and 'Hate U' reaching No. 12, though US sales of approximately 500,000 copies fell short of expectations due in part to the overshadowing of promotion by Prince's high-profile Warner Bros. contractual dispute.