Do you have a secret fortune hiding in your old record crates?
Back in 1987, pop legend Prince created a massive mystery when he suddenly canceled his highly anticipated release, The Black Album.
He ordered all 500,000 copies to be destroyed immediately! This “forbidden” masterpiece became the ultimate ghost in music history.
Only a few original records survived the flames. Today, an authentic 1987 copy can sell for a staggering $25,000 or more!
Now, a vinyl expert has revealed a viral clue that helps fans identify a rare “second pressing” of this banned album. You need to look closely at the center label of the record.
The secret gold mine is in the alignment. If the track titles on the label are printed slightly off-center, you might have struck gold!
Watch this video to see exactly what this “printing mistake” looks like on a real copy:
Prince’s The Black Album: Second Pressing Secrets Revealed
The Düsseldorf Mystery
The expert in the video remembers the 1980s music scene when only a few exclusive club DJs in the world had these songs. One DJ in Düsseldorf caused a total frenzy just by playing a copy in a local club!
Prince gave the record a plain black sleeve with no name on it to create an exclusive, mysterious buzz. It was a raw and gritty project that he later replaced with the much brighter Lovesexy album.
To find a true original, you must look for the “33” RPM indicator inside the orange triangle. On a real 1987 German pressing, that number must be in white font.
If the “33” is printed in black, you are unfortunately looking at a counterfeit! You should also check the “dead wax” for machine-stamped codes like R/S Alsdorf.
This deep-dive guide shows you every technical hallmark of a genuine Prince rarity.
Prince: Black Album – Album Review (1987 and 1994)
Finding these relics is like a high-stakes treasure hunt for music lovers. While the 1994 official re-release is great, nothing beats the soul-shaking bass of an original 1980s pressing.
These records represent a time when music was dangerous and elusive. If you find that off-center text, you aren’t just holding vinyl but a piece of true rock and roll history.
Don’t forget to follow Prince on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more rare vinyl finds.