The Black Album, by diminutive rocker Prince, was never officially known by that name. Written as a birthday gift for band member Sheila E, the record was withdrawn weeks before its release in 1988. Promotional copies featured no title or artist name, just an all-black sleeve and catalogue number, adding to the mystique and leading to its inevitable success as one of the most popular bootlegs of all time. By the time Warner Bros released it officially in 1994, still without a title, still with an all-black sleeve, every self-respecting fan of the Minneapolis maestro of pop had a copy and by word of mouth it was universally known as The Black Album. The whole affair seemed to affect 'His Purple Highness' though as, shortly before the official release, he started appearing with the word 'slave' written on his face and changed his legal name to an unpronounceable symbol.
