Back in Time Today
Prince dominated the 1980s with incredible music and wild creativity. Most people remember hits like Purple Rain and 1999, but his decade was full of surprising moments. From secret albums to strange feuds, Prince’s 1980s career had many forgotten gems that shocked fans and changed music forever.
1. He Released The Black Album Then Pulled It at the Last Minute
Prince finished recording The Black Album in 1987, calling it his darkest and most experimental work. The funk-heavy project was ready for stores when Prince suddenly canceled everything.
He claimed the album felt “evil” after a spiritual experience. Bootleg copies spread everywhere, making it one of music’s most mysterious unreleased albums until 1994.
2. He Wrote Manic Monday for The Bangles Under a Fake Name
Christopher Tracy was the mysterious songwriter credited on The Bangles’ biggest hit. Nobody knew this was actually Prince using a fake name to hide his involvement.
The song became a massive success, reaching number two on the charts. Prince loved writing for other artists but often kept his contributions secret to avoid overshadowing their careers.
3. He Turned Down Michael Jackson’s Bad Duet Offer
Michael Jackson wanted Prince to sing the duet version of Bad, imagining an epic collaboration. Prince listened to the demo but immediately said no to the project.
The opening line “Your butt is mine” made Prince uncomfortable singing to another man. He later recorded his own version privately, showing how the song might have sounded with his unique style.
4. He Created The Time Band to Fulfill His Record Contract Faster
Warner Bros wanted more albums from Prince, so he invented The Time as a clever solution. He wrote all their songs, played most instruments, and produced everything himself.
Morris Day became the fake frontman while Prince controlled everything behind the scenes. Hits like Jungle Love were actually Prince’s work, helping him satisfy his record deal requirements quickly and creatively.
5. He Skipped We Are the World but Sent His Own Song Instead
Every major star gathered to record We Are the World for charity in 1985. Prince was invited but refused to show up for the group recording session.
Instead, he contributed 4 the Tears in Your Eyes as a solo track for the album. Many believed Prince didn’t want to share the spotlight with other celebrities during the historic recording.
6. He Recorded a Secret Jazz Album Called Madhouse
Jazz fusion fascinated Prince, leading him to create Madhouse 8 in 1987. He played every instrument on this experimental album, channeling his love for Miles Davis.
The project was released under the alias Madhouse to keep Prince’s name off it. Even dedicated fans missed this obscure release, making it one of his most overlooked creative achievements.
7. He Made Kiss Famous After Stealing It Back from Mazarati
Prince originally wrote Kiss for Mazarati, a side project featuring Revolution members. After hearing their stripped-down version, he decided he wanted the song back.
He added his signature funky guitar and vocals, transforming it completely. The result became one of his biggest hits, proving Prince’s ability to reinvent even his own rejected material into gold.
8. He Started a Feud with Rick James Over Musical Styles
Rick James publicly called Prince a “middle-of-the-road” artist in interviews, sparking a bitter rivalry. Prince fired back by mocking James in his song Baby I’m a Star.
The feud continued for years, with both artists taking subtle shots at each other. James represented old-school funk while Prince pushed boundaries, making their conflict about musical evolution versus tradition.
9. He Caused Parental Advisory Labels with Darling Nikki
Darling Nikki from Purple Rain contained explicit lyrics that shocked parents everywhere. Tipper Gore heard her daughter playing the song and was horrified by its content.
This led Gore to create the Parents Music Resource Center, pushing for warning labels on albums. Prince’s provocative songwriting literally changed how music was sold and labeled in America forever.