Prince releases new surprise album on Tidal... featuring 12 songs that took almost four years to produce

By Rachel Mcgrath For Dailymail.com

Published: 00:04 EST, 13 December 2015 | Updated: 03:39 EST, 13 December 2015

Prince took the music world and his fans by surprise on Saturday as he dropped 12 new songs on the streaming service Tidal.

The multi-platinum music star announced the release of HITNRUN Phase Two via social media.

'Please everyone purchase the product after listening...' he tweeted along with a link to the Tidal store.

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Exclusive sounds: Prince, pictured at the SAmerican Music Awards in LA on November 22, released new music available only on streaming service Tidal on Saturday

Exclusive sounds: Prince, pictured at the SAmerican Music Awards in LA on November 22, released new music available only on streaming service Tidal on Saturday

In a statement, his PR people said it had taken almost four years for His Purpleness to produce the new songs, many of which feature his group The New Power Generation.

HITNRUN Phase Two includes previously released songs Baltimore and Screwdriver, although they have been reworked for the album release.

HITNRUN Phase One dropped in early September, also exclusively on Tidal.

An original: The Purple Rain singer announced the news of the album via social media tweeting this art work for HITNRUN Phase Two

An original: The Purple Rain singer announced the news of the album via social media tweeting this art work for HITNRUN Phase Two

Online only: He directed fans to the streaming service owned by Jay Z where his new music can be purchased

Online only: He directed fans to the streaming service owned by Jay Z where his new music can be purchased

In July, the When Doves Cry singer pulled all his music catalogue from Spotify and other streaming services, and in August announced his next album would only be available via Jay Z's Tidal.

At the time, the Purple Rain star explained that Tidal had offered him 'a non-restrictive arrangement that once again allows us to continue making art in the fashion we've grown accustomed to.'

Tidal also seeks to get higher royalties for musicians for their songs.

Artist: The 12 new songs took almost four years to produce and feature The New Power generation. It's a follow up to HITNRUN Phase One that was released on Tidal in early September. Prince is pictured in May 2013

Artist: The 12 new songs took almost four years to produce and feature The New Power generation. It's a follow up to HITNRUN Phase One that was released on Tidal in early September. Prince is pictured in May 2013

Jay Z launched Tidal after acquiring Swedish streaming company Aspiro in January for $56 million.

After experiencing teething problems, the rapper launched a re-branded streaming service in March with some of the biggest names in music.

Jay Z's wife Beyonce, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Madonna all joined as investors.

Exclusive deals: Jay Z launched Tidal in January and then re-launched a new branded version in March with industry heavy hitters such as wife Beyonce, Madonna and Rihanna as investors

Exclusive deals: Jay Z launched Tidal in January and then re-launched a new branded version in March with industry heavy hitters such as wife Beyonce, Madonna and Rihanna as investors

 

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