By the spring of 1988, Prince was at another crossroads. Just one year earlier, he had released Sign o’ the Times, a double album many hailed as his masterpiece. Rather than bask in the acclaim, Prince immediately dove into new projects. One of them was The Black Album, a raw, dark, and funky set that was slated for release in late 1987. But at the last minute, Prince pulled it, claiming it was “evil” and a product of a negative state of mind.

What emerged instead was Lovesexy, released on May 10, 1988. Where The Black Album had been shadowy and hedonistic, Lovesexy was bright, spiritual, and celebratory. It was Prince’s attempt at redemption — a joyful, funk-filled exploration of temptation, faith, and the battle between light and dark.

The making of Lovesexy reflected Prince’s restless creativity. Recorded primarily at his home studio, Paisley Park, the album blended gospel, funk, pop, and psychedelic flourishes. The Revolution was gone; this was Prince leading a new band, but still playing most of the instruments himself.

The record was daring in another way: its cover, featuring a nude Prince surrounded by flowers, was provocative and controversial. It symbolized rebirth but also led to some retailers refusing to stock it. Despite this, Lovesexy remains one of his most fascinating and misunderstood works.