Prince’s Evil Album: The Story of Black

Prince’s “The Black Album,” also known as “The Funk Bible,” occupies a unique place in music history. Set for release on December 8, 1987, it was abruptly pulled at Prince’s request just days before hitting the shelves.

Intended as a return to his funk and R&B roots, the album was a response to critics who accused him of veering too far into commercial pop. Its stark, all-black cover—devoid of any text or imagery—was designed to prioritize the music over marketing.

Musically “The Black Album” explored experimental territory. In “Bob George,” Prince adopted a confrontational and darkly satirical persona, openly mocking industry norms and even himself. “Superfunkycalifragisexy,” celebrated explicit sensuality through intricate funk rhythms and bold lyrical choices. The softer ballad “When 2 R in Love” later appeared on his subsequent release, “Lovesexy.”

Prince’s experimental phase during this period included creating a playful alter ego named “Camille,” characterized by a higher-pitched vocal style, which he planned to showcase on a dedicated album.

A week before its release, Prince experienced a profound spiritual awakening, famously known as “Blue Tuesday.” He came to see the album as spiritually negative and potentially harmful. Despite efforts to destroy all existing copies, some promotional copies survived, leading to one of the most notorious bootlegging events in music history. The album became one of the most bootlegged records ever, with estimates suggesting that over 250,000 illegal copies were circulated (excluding cassettes); with some selling for over $40,000!

Prince himself subtly acknowledged his conflicted feelings about the album through a hidden message in the music video for “Alphabet St.”: “Don’t buy The Black Album, I’m sorry.”

“The Black Album” finally saw an official, albeit understated, release in 1994 amidst ongoing disputes with Warner Bros. Records., but by this point, many fans had already acquired bootlegged versions, reducing its commercial impact.

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