The untitled sixteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, referred to as The Black Album, was scheduled for release in December 1987 but was canceled at Prince's request after promotional copies had been issued. The follow-up to Sign o' the Times, the album was to appear in an entirely black sleeve with no title nor even a credit to Prince; hence it being referred to as The Black Album. Dubbed The Funk Bible by preceding press releases and in the opening track, the work seemed to be a reaction to criticism that Prince had become too pop-oriented. The album was his attempt to regain his black audience.