The Rainbow Children cover

The Rainbow Children

Prince · 2001

69 min · 16 tracks · contemporary R&B · funk · jazz

A spiritual odyssey woven through eclectic genres, blending funk, jazz, and soul into a cohesive narrative.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • spiritual exploration through sound
  • patient unfolding of themes
  • immersive narrative journey
  • introspective moments of reflection
  • dynamic contrasts in pacing

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer straightforward, catchy tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

Themes
spiritual enlightenment· digital age connection· heritage and identity
Career context
Released on November 20, 2001, 'The Rainbow Children' was Prince's first album after his name change back from the symbol he used during the 1990s. It followed the commercially successful 'Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic' and marked a return to his artistic roots, emphasizing spirituality and storytelling over mainstream appeal.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu — Explores themes of identity and spirituality through a fusion of soul, funk, and jazz.
Phrenology by The Roots — Merges eclectic influences with a focus on storytelling and social consciousness in a cohesive narrative.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Rainbow Children 10:04
  • 2 Muse 2 the Pharaoh 4:21
  • 3 Digital Garden 4:07
  • 4 The Work, Part 1 4:28
  • 5 Everywhere 2:55
  • 6 The Sensual Everafter 2:58
  • 7 Mellow 4:24
  • 8 1+1+1 Is 3 5:17
  • 9 Deconstruction 2:00
  • 10 Wedding Feast 0:54
  • 11 She Loves Me 4 Me 2:50
  • 12 Family Name 8:17
  • 13 The Everlasting Now 8:18
  • 14 Last December 7:58
  • 20 [silence] 0:08
  • 21 Last December (reprise) 0:38

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata