Not sure if the answer was ever given or not, but why is The Black Album the only album not available on streaming platforms?

It used to be on TIDAL before he passed, then was taken down, then added after he passed away and was taken down again.

I guess they cannot make up their minds

But it's the only official release that is not on any streaming platform... Strange.

http://www.princevault.co...lack_Album

Apparently Tidal has had issues in the past with unlicensed Prince albums appearing on the platform. Do you think it’s possible that it wasn’t Warner Brothers who had put it on the service, hence why it keeps getting taken down?
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I think the Black Album should be issued properly now. We’re currently a month away from a promo cassette that wasn’t ever available commercially getting a legacy vinyl release, yet the Black album hasn’t seen a store shelf for 25 years.
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If I had any influence at WB or within the Estate I would suggest using the Black album’s rich history as an opportunity to get some more out-takes onto the market and combine it with a publicity stunt.
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What is the Black Album famous for...
1) It was originally intended to be released anonymously in a plain black sleeve
2) For a time at least, it was the most bootlegged album of music ever.

3) Many famous bootleg versions were bundled in with other out-takes.
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So what would I suggest? Make it a 2 disc release, put a load of funky or dark outtakes on it. Maybe ‘3 Nigs Watching a Kung-Fu Movie’, ‘Rebirth of the Flesh’, ‘Others Here With Us’, ‘Dance With The Devil’, Prince’s version of ‘101’?
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Then release it, unannounced, in plain black with no mention of Prince on it. On digital platforms tag it as Black Album, either by ‘Camille’, ‘Unknown’, ‘Artist’, ‘Black Album’ etc. Something generic. Maybe not even label the tracks. Just tag them ‘Track 1’, ‘Track 2’, ‘Track 3’...

.

Once it’s out there, just sit back and see how long it takes for world to implode. The longer they can just sit on it the better, but I’m guessing it won’t take long for the news to break out amongst fans. I reckon the music press will love it too.

Right but all those albums have been back up, the only one that still hasn't been up and is missing from all streaming platforms is The Black Album. I mean virtually every official release is available on streaming platforms, even obscure releases like NPG Exodus.

I guess that only two albums not on streaming are The Black Album and GoldNigga, if that even counts...

Just strange that The Black Album is the only WB album not available to stream.

VaultCurator said:

Apparently Tidal has had issues in the past with unlicensed Prince albums appearing on the platform. Do you think it’s possible that it wasn’t Warner Brothers who had put it on the service, hence why it keeps getting taken down?
.
I think the Black Album should be issued properly now. We’re currently a month away from a promo cassette that wasn’t ever available commercially getting a legacy vinyl release, yet the Black album hasn’t seen a store shelf for 25 years.
.
If I had any influence at WB or within the Estate I would suggest using the Black album’s rich history as an opportunity to get some more out-takes onto the market and combine it with a publicity stunt.
.
What is the Black Album famous for...
1) It was originally intended to be released anonymously in a plain black sleeve
2) For a time at least, it was the most bootlegged album of music ever.

3) Many famous bootleg versions were bundled in with other out-takes.
.
So what would I suggest? Make it a 2 disc release, put a load of funky or dark outtakes on it. Maybe ‘3 Nigs Watching a Kung-Fu Movie’, ‘Rebirth of the Flesh’, ‘Others Here With Us’, ‘Dance With The Devil’, Prince’s version of ‘101’?
.
Then release it, unannounced, in plain black with no mention of Prince on it. On digital platforms tag it as Black Album, either by ‘Camille’, ‘Unknown’, ‘Artist’, ‘Black Album’ etc. Something generic. Maybe not even label the tracks. Just tag them ‘Track 1’, ‘Track 2’, ‘Track 3’...

.

Once it’s out there, just sit back and see how long it takes for world to implode. The longer they can just sit on it the better, but I’m guessing it won’t take long for the news to break out amongst fans. I reckon the music press will love it too.

Was it ever established why Warner cancelled the vinyl reissue? I really don't get why they're sitting on it.

Ah well, I'm guessing it'll be out on purple vinyl from Legacy sooner or later (2021?), and it'll be everywhere then, including streaming.

[Edited 8/10/19 3:51am]

ChickenMcNuggets said:

Was it ever established why Warner cancelled the vinyl reissue? I really don't get why they're sitting on it.

Ah well, I'm guessing it'll be out on purple vinyl from Legacy sooner or later (2021?), and it'll be everywhere then, including streaming.

[Edited 8/10/19 3:51am]

I saw this in answer in another forum, so I'll summarize what they said which pretty much verifies what I heard years ago:

Warner supposedly did not own The Black Album after its initial release in 1994.

Along with The Gold Experience, part of the deal he set up for his exit meant that NPG owned the master and distribution rights for The Black Album after their release.

The official albums he released which he owed regarding his initial contract were:

THE HITS

THE BLACK ALBUM (limited release, shipments stopped after 1 month, reverted to NPG)

COME

THE GOLD EXPERIENCE (rights reverted back to NPG)

CHAOS AND DISORDER

THE VAULT

Exodus was separate because they were trying to reconcile to some degree, but the Esquire interview put an ax to it.

So still nobody knows why The Black Album is the only Prince album not available on streaming...

feeluupp said:

So still nobody knows why The Black Album is the only Prince album not available on streaming...

Ask those streaming platforms and let us know their response.

feeluupp said:

So still nobody knows why The Black Album is the only Prince album not available on streaming...

Because it was originally a limited release in 1994. The DIGITAL "release" was done during that first massive drop of everything by Tidal after P passed but then a chunk of those albums ended up removed. Like Versace which was really just a promo, I have a feeling The Black Album will have a limited physical release at first and then may have a wider, permanent digital release down the road. Maybe an upcoming RSD release?

TrcikyChristopher said:

feeluupp said:

So still nobody knows why The Black Album is the only Prince album not available on streaming...

Because it was originally a limited release in 1994. The DIGITAL "release" was done during that first massive drop of everything by Tidal after P passed but then a chunk of those albums ended up removed. Like Versace which was really just a promo, I have a feeling The Black Album will have a limited physical release at first and then may have a wider, permanent digital release down the road. Maybe an upcoming RSD release?

Still doesn't make sense... Originally it was a limited release yes, but what about albums like Crystal Ball, was that not limited? 20Ten was a limited release in Europe. What about albums like The Chocolate Invasion? Those were online NPG member releases only, that is even more limited than a limited release...

Yes all the albums were dumped on Tidal after he passed, and all of them were removed at that time... But all have since been added, except The Black Album.

[Edited 8/11/19 4:15am]

luv4u said:

feeluupp said:

So still nobody knows why The Black Album is the only Prince album not available on streaming...

Ask those streaming platforms and let us know their response.

naw, not one of those crazy superfans, sorry.