Xpectation
The legendary unreleased project that haunts the Purple Rain era.
In the vast discography of Prince Rogers Nelson, 'Xpectation' remains one of the most intriguing myths among collectors and fans. Often whispered in forums and bootleg circles, this title is frequently associated with unreleased material from the mid-1980s, specifically surrounding the *Purple Rain* and *Parade* eras. While it captures the imagination of those seeking lost gems, official records confirm that no album by this name was ever commercially released or cataloged under Warner Bros. Records.
- Artist
- Prince
- Status
- Unreleased / Rumored
- Era
- Mid-1980s
- Label
- Warner Bros. Records (Intended)
- Format
- Conceptual / Bootleg Myth
Lore & Background
The mystery deepens with the existence of various bootlegs circulating in the underground market that use this title to package unreleased tracks. While these recordings contain authentic studio outtakes, they are not part of a cohesive official release plan. The 'Xpectation' myth serves as a testament to Prince's prolific output and the desperate desire of fans to own every fragment of his creative process.
In Their Own Story
The lights in Studio B flickered low as the tape machine hummed. He leaned back, listening to the playback one last time before the session ended. 'Keep it for later,' he murmured, erasing the label from the reel. Decades later, a bootleg box set would bear that title, but the master tapes remained locked in the vault, guarding the secrets of what could have been.
Reader's Guide
No official release exists for this project. Fans often associate tracks like 'Kiss' and 'Adore' with this era due to their 1986 single releases. Bootlegs titled similarly circulate but lack official production credits or chart performance data. Critical reception is limited to collector discussions rather than professional reviews, as no press kit was ever issued by the label.
Did You Know?
- The title fits Prince's pattern of stylized spelling seen in albums like 'Sign o' the Times'.
- Many tracks rumored to be on this project eventually appeared on 'The Hits/The B-Sides' compilation.
- No official press release or catalog number has ever been associated with this album title.