✦ Pope - Single: April. 1994

A withdrawn promo tied to The Hits / The B‑Sides, featuring rare remixes never released commercially

— SUMMARY

“Pope” was issued in April 1994 as a promotional‑only single supporting The Hits 1 and The Hits 2, taken specifically from The Hits 2 (also disc two of The Hits / The B‑Sides). It followed the compilation’s final commercial single, “Controversy,” and arrived shortly after the independent release of “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.”

The promo was released only in the UK and Spain, with each territory receiving a different configuration. The UK 12" edition included exclusive remixes of “Pope” and “Pink Cashmere” — neither created by Prince, and neither released commercially or reissued elsewhere. The “reggae” version of “Pink Cashmere” was produced by DJ Brother Jules, featuring additional vocals from Minneapolis reggae artists including Prince Jabba.

Warner Bros. withdrew and recalled the UK promo shortly after distribution to DJs and radio, making surviving copies highly collectible. The Spanish promo, by contrast, contained only the standard album version of “Pope.”

— HIGHLIGHTS

• Promotional‑only release (no commercial issue)

• Released April 1994

• Issued in the UK and Spain only

• UK 12" includes exclusive remixes of “Pope” and “Pink Cashmere”

• “Pink Cashmere (12" Remix)” created by DJ Brother Jules with Minneapolis reggae artists

• UK promo withdrawn and recalled shortly after distribution

• Spanish promo contains only the album version of “Pope”

• Part of the promotional cycle for The Hits 1, The Hits 2, and The Hits / The B‑Sides

— TRACKLISTING

12" Promo — UK: SAM 1311

A. Pope (12" Remix) – 6:06

B. Pink Cashmere (12" Remix) – 6:19

CD Promo — Spain: 1.680

Pope – 3:28

(Album version, identical to The Hits 2 / The Hits / The B‑Sides)

— CHART PERFORMANCE

Promotional release only — did not chart

— SOURCES

Warner Bros. Records promotional documentation

UK and Spanish DJ/radio distribution records

Discogs catalogue references

Prince Vault