✦ Da Bourgeoisie – Digital Leak: Nov. 2013

A guerrilla‑style “stolen demo” drop that turned a leaked MP3 into a viral 3rdEyeGirl‑era moment

✦ Summary

Da Bourgeoisie surfaced on November 18, 2013 as a 256kbps MP3 file distributed directly by Prince’s 3rdEyeGirl Twitter account. Framed as a “stolen demo,” fans were asked: “Who wants to deliver this stolen Prince demo to the needy?” Selected responders received a WeTransfer link containing a file named 01 Track1.mp3, with explicit instructions to share it publicly. The track — a hornless, raw funk protest groove — featured uncredited drums by Hannah Ford and arrived without label, artwork, or formal release structure. One week later, a horn‑enhanced version appeared on 3rdeyetunes.com, but the original leak remains the definitive fan‑circulated edition.

✦ Highlights

• Released November 18, 2013 as a 256kbps MP3

• Distributed via WeTransfer links sent through 3rdEyeGirl’s Twitter account

• File name: 01 Track1.mp3

• Hornless “stolen demo” version

• Drums by Hannah Ford (uncredited)

• Later re‑released with horns on Nov. 25, 2013

• No chart entry — viral digital leak only

✦ Track Details

Digital File – MP3 (Not On Label)

Da Bourgeoisie — 3:23

Format: MP3, 256kbps

File name: 01 Track1.mp3

Release date: November 18, 2013

Label: Not On Label (self‑released)

Drums: Hannah Ford (uncredited)

✦ Production and Context

Written, produced, and performed by Prince.

Drums by Hannah Ford, recorded during the early 3rdEyeGirl period.

Released as part of a playful viral campaign, with fans acting as distributors.

No confirmed album or project tie‑in at the time.

A second version with horns appeared on 3rdeyetunes.com one week later.

✦ Chart Performance

No official chart entry — digital leak only.

✦ Discography

3rdEyeGirl‑Era Digital Drops:

Screwdriver — 2013

Fixurlifeup — 2013

Da Bourgeoisie — Digital Leak: Nov. 2013

Pretzelbodylogic — 2014

✦ Prince Era Mini‑Timeline

Early 2013 — 3rdEyeGirl era begins

Nov. 18, 2013 — Da Bourgeoisie “stolen demo” leak

Nov. 25, 2013 — Horned version released on 3rdeyetunes.com

2014 — Plectrumelectrum sessions continue

✦ Glam Flashback

Da Bourgeoisie is Prince at his most mischievous — a raw, unpolished funk protest track dropped straight into fans’ hands with no warning. The “stolen demo” framing, the anonymous MP3 file name, and the fan‑driven distribution made it one of the most memorable digital moments of the 3rdEyeGirl era. A perfect snapshot of Prince’s restless creativity and his willingness to bypass traditional release channels entirely.

✦ Image & Artwork Copyright Notice

All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed in this post remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles. No ownership is claimed, and all rights belong to the original creators, photographers, designers, and publishers.

✦ Sources

Prince Vault, Discogs, fan‑archived WeTransfer logs, 3rdEyeGirl Twitter activity, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia