Prince’s Posthumous Album ‘Timeless’ Lands Top 5 Debut on Billboard’s R&B Albums Chart
The legendary artist’s latest vault project, ‘Timeless,’ has secured a top 5 debut on the Billboard R&B Albums chart, marking his 16th top 10 entry.
The musical legacy of Prince continues to resonate with audiences worldwide as his latest vault project, Timeless, has officially debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. This achievement marks the 16th time the late virtuoso has graced the top 10 of this specific chart, which was established in 2012.
Timeless stands out as the only new entry on the current chart, which remains anchored by the enduring popularity of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Prince’s last appearance in the top 10 occurred in 2023 with the super deluxe reissue of Diamonds And Pearls. The success of this new collection underscores the continued demand for archival material from the artist’s prolific career.
A Legacy of Chart Success
Throughout his career and posthumous releases, Prince has maintained a consistent presence on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. His top 10 entries include:
- ART OFFICIAL AGE, No. 1 (2014)
- Purple Rain (Soundtrack), No. 1 (2017)
- Piano & A Microphone 1983, No. 1 (2018)
- Welcome 2 America, No. 1 (2021)
- HITnRUN: Phase One, No. 2 (2015)
- Originals, No. 2 (2019)
- Sign ‘O’ The Times, No. 2 (2020)
- 4ever, No. 3 (2016)
- HITNRUN: Phase Two, No. 3 (2016)
- Prince And The Revolution: Live, No. 3 (2022)
- Timeless, No. 5 (2026)
- The Truth, No. 6 (2021)
- The Gold Experience, No. 6 (2022)
- The Very Best Of Prince, No. 8 (2017)
- 1999, No. 9 (2019)
- Diamonds And Pearls, No. 10 (2023)
Beyond the R&B Albums chart, Timeless has made a significant impact across other Billboard metrics, including debuts on the Vinyl Albums, Top Album Sales, and Top Digital Albums charts, as well as a placement on the Billboard 200.
Prince. (Photo Credit: The Prince Estate / Jeff Katz)
Curating the Vault
Released on August 28, Timeless features 10 tracks spanning recordings from 1977 to 2016. L. Londell McMillan, co-manager of the Prince Estate, noted that the project reflects the artist’s multifaceted genius, stating, “His overall essence and spirit remains timeless.” Compilation producer Charles F. Spicer Jr. added that the goal was to capture the extraordinary breadth of Prince’s creativity across four decades.
While the album has received varied feedback from critics and fans, it has sparked important conversations regarding the preservation and presentation of unreleased music. Specifically, the track “Calabama” drew attention for its production choices. In response, NPG Records and Prince’s management team clarified that the track utilized original recorded parts from Prince, with minor overdubs from musicians who had close professional ties to the artist, explicitly noting that no artificial intelligence was employed in the creation of the music.