Will help or hinder the first week and overall sales of Musicology on the Billboard Album chart?

I personally think the giveaway will help the first week and overall by acting as a sort-of "people's radio station" with all those CDs being played and probably some other people hearing it; it's certainly getting his music out there.

I'm not sure. It was obviously a smart move to only give away promo copies. That way many fans will buy the cd again on the 20th. Maybe this is a dumb answer but I don't think it will make much difference. Diehards will buy the album regadless. Casual fans who got a free copy will be satisfied with that. I don't think casual fans who didn't get a free cd will be interested enough to pay for one. There is too much competition for people's money these days.

I don't think it matters to Prince... It's a brilliant move, really. For example, the next single released will have a built in audience that will be familiar with it, who probably wouldn't have purchased the new material.

This familiarity will drive the success of the videos and singles, and other people will start buyng it (Musicology) cause it's on the countdowns and playlists...

Popularity is about people knowing your music, and this move ensures Prince that more people will know his, me thinks!

effa chart etc...prince added the price of the cd to the ticket for the show. That free cd version probaly cost him a dollar to make