"Black Market Music" is the third studio album by British alternative rock band Placebo, released on October 9, 2000, by Hut Records. The recording process spanned nine months, marking the longest time the band had spent on an album until Never Let Me Go in 2022.
The album features four singles: "Taste in Men," "Slave to the Wage," "Special K," and "Black-Eyed." It reached number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and received generally favorable reviews from critics.
In a 2009 interview with Kerrang!, frontman Brian Molko reflected on the band's mindset during the recording. He noted their confidence after a successful tour, along with struggles with substance use, which influenced both the album's lengthy production and its themes. He described the desire to address darker subjects in their music, aiming to differentiate themselves from other bands they viewed negatively.
The album is dedicated to music publicist Scott Piering, who passed away from cancer in early 2000. The track "Commercial for Levi" pays tribute to sound technician Levi Tecofski, who once saved Molko from an accident.
Black Market Music made a significant impact upon release, marking a notable entry in Placebo's discography.
