previously his popular music productions were kinda lacking for hits. he'd hit w/Off the Wall and a single here and there. but before Thriller he was more known for tv and movie scores and soundtracks and Jazz production than for his work in popular music.

as for Bad...MJ stayed w/Quincy, probably b/c he was hot. LOL. so, on that 1 i'd say yes.

oh hell, i forget that Q had just come off a 10 million seller (OTW) when he worked on Thriller. OTW sold more copies than any other R&B album to that point. so, a'ight. he was at least kinda hot then.

anyway, the main point: could Prince have a hit if he worked w/RedOne or LMFAO or David Guetta or Dr. Luke? sure.