Originally intended for an anonymous 1987 release, The Black Album was withdrawn by Prince at the last moment after what he described as a spiritual awakening. Its destruction created the most infamous bootleg in pop history, finally resurfacing in 1994 as a limited, title‑less, artist‑less official release.

A stripped‑back Lovesexy groove that became Prince’s first CD‑era single — SUMMARY "Alphabet St." was launched as the lead single from Prince's tenth album, Lovesexy, debuting three weeks ahead of the album in the US and four weeks prior in the UK. Released globally, the single came in a clear sleeve adorned with a stylized sticker instead of conventional artwork—a design strategy also used for the subsequent single "Glam Slam." The release holds historical significance as t