Do you think this statement is correct?

He upped his commercial viability, as he he upped his religious imagery?

Purple Rain is one of his most commercial records, yet, it's clearly one of his most religious.

Do you think this was on purpose, or by chance?

No.

Purple Rain filled a void in America.

Michael Jackson was wearing everyone down with his bubble gum image, his pepsi commercials, and his child friendly persona.

People where longing for things that would appeal to a more adult audience, but still have the bang of MJ.

Like Jerry Lee Louis was supposed to be the answer to Elvis, Prince was Warner Bros. Answer to MJ.
You can see some of the musical shift away from MJ style music and images to Prince/Springstein that year.

As for Musicology's success--anytime Prince performs live at an award show and really gives the audience a good show, he ups his album sales (except when it was tied to the stupid name)

I Don't Think Now that his FANBASE is JEHOVAH WHITNESSES. What I THINK is His OLD PURPLE RAIN Fans ARE COMING Back Cause this is 20 years gone and He's kinda TOUTING it as a FAREWELL to The HITS TOUR! Prince Was ALWAYS RELIGIOUS. Prince was ALWAYS REBELLIOUS. Prince was ALWAYS a HOTTIE and SEXUAL FREAK ... Prince was ALWAYS a PRANKSTER..SO! What's CHANGED? ABSOLUTELY NOTHINg..Look at Him also...He Looks Gorgeous and Young. Prince is My Dream Lover..He's The Best Musician Ever. I Get Wild ORGASMS in my Lace Panties for Him.. He makes me Quake and ACHe and Scream. I Love Him..I ALWAYS WILL!

Zelaira said:

Ok, quit that. Now u're making me all hot & horny! Damn! just took a shower and here am all hot n' sweaty again from reading ur posts.

Prince's music has always made use of TONS of religious imagery. The only difference is, these days, he's focusing that imagery on a particular denomination.

And really, how heavily does he go into JWland on Musicology? Unless I'm missing some kind of secret codewords or some crazy shit...