How Prince embodied Willy Wonka for ‘3121’
Prince was never one to do anything half-baked. An artist of unparalleled grace, he effortlessly infused everything he pursued with charm and elegance. Therefore, when it came to promoting his 31st studio album, 3121, he embraced a campaign reminiscent of the enchanting allure found in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Featuring a mix of funk, R&B, pop, and rock, 3121 showcased Prince’s signature musical versatility and innovative sound. Encompassing themes of love, spirituality, sensuality, and social commentary, the album reflected Prince’s multifaceted approach to songwriting and marked his first number one album since Batman in 1989.
As part of the album’s promotion, the artist mimicked the concept of Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory by inserting lucky purple tickets into a few copies of the album. The discovered tickets granted seven fans the opportunity to attend an exclusive concert scheduled to take place at Prince’s residence in Minneapolis later that year.
Those wanting to buy a digital copy were included, too — they had the chance to participate in a draw for seven extra tickets by using iTunes. Of course, this borrows one of the main narrative tools in the source material, where several children discover a golden ticket in a chocolate bar and are granted an exclusive tour of the enigmatic chocolate factory. In the film, however, there are five tickets, but the artist opted for seven as that’s the result when you add up the numbers in the album title: three, one, two, and one.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory distinctly embodies a philanthropic theme, portraying the impoverished Charlie Bucket earning the chance to explore the factory alongside his grandfather. It’s no surprise, therefore, that this notion resonated with Prince and his team, given the star’s history of giving back to fans and the wider community.
While some of Prince’s charitable endeavours were publicised before his passing in 2016, others remained more discreet. A commendable aspect of Prince’s character was his avoidance of seeking acclaim for his altruism. Instead, he quietly contributed significant amounts to youth-focused nonprofits and made a generous $12,000 donation to prevent a local library from shutting down.
However, the star also exhibited mass levels of personal strength when it came to participating in things that he didn’t enjoy, or respect. For instance, he famously turned the monumental Live Aid concert in 1985. He also refused to be a part of Michael Jackson’s ‘We Are The World’ simply because he detested the song. Ultimately, therefore, he was giving when it mattered, but if it didn’t align with his beliefs and tastes, you could count him out.
