What was Prince's studio debut album?

Prince’s studio debut album was For You. Released by Warner Bros. Records on April 7, 1978, it introduced a 19-year-old Minneapolis musician who was already determined to control nearly every part of his sound.

Prince wrote, arranged, produced, and performed all the album’s tracks. He played guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, and other instruments, making For You an unusually ambitious debut. Recording began at Sound 80 in Minneapolis and continued at studios in California, where the project developed its blend of funk, pop, rock, disco, and R&B.

The album’s lead single, “Soft and Wet,” became a modest pop hit and a stronger R&B success. For You reached No. 163 on the Billboard 200 and No. 21 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. Those results were small compared with Prince’s later achievements, but the record established his studio-centered, multi-instrumental identity.

Readers sometimes confuse For You with Prince’s self-titled 1979 album or with Purple Rain, his breakthrough soundtrack. For You came first; Prince followed it with Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, and 1999 before Purple Rain made him an international superstar.