15 rare Prince records are streaming online to mark the icon's 58th birthday

07 June 2016, 08:58 | Written by Laurence Day

(News)

(Prince)

To celebrate what would have been Prince's 58th birthday, Tidal are streaming 15 of his rarest records online for the first time.

The releases include 1987's The Black Album, the infamous follow up to Sign O' The Times, which was axed a week before it was released and widely bootlegged by fans.

The three-disc Crystal Ball and The Gold Experience - which contains his only UK number one, "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" - are also included.

As well as Tidal's tributes to the late icon, his home state of Minnesota has declared today (7 June) Prince Day.

Prince died on 21 April from an opioid overdose at his Minnesota estate.

Prince spoke last summer in support of Jay Z's streaming service:

"After one meeting, it was obvious that Jay Z and the team he has assembled at Tidal recognise and applaud the effort that real musicians put in2 their craft 2 achieve the very best they can at this pivotal time in the music industry.

"Tidal have honoured Us with a non-restrictive arrangement that once again allows Us to continue making art in the fashion We've grown accustomed 2 and We're Extremely grateful 4 their generous support."

He streamed his final two records, HITNRUN Phase One & Two, exclusively on the service.

Stream Prince's music on Tidal.

The full list of new additions on Tidal are:

Prince

The Black Album (1987)
The Gold Experience (1995)
Chaos & Disorder (1996)
Crystal Ball (1998)
1999: The New Master (1999)
Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (1999)
Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic (2001)
The Rainbow Children (2001)
One Nite Alone… Live! (2002)
One Nite Alone… The Aftershow: It Ain’t Over (2002)
Indigo Nights (2008)

The New Power Generation

Exodus (1995)
New Power Soul (1998)

Various Artists

1-800-NEW-FUNK (1994)
Girl 6 – Official (1996)