# What is the best Prince album of all time?

> From the proto-funk provocations of his early records to sprawling double-album masterpieces and the restless experimentation that followed — it's one of the richest catalogs in pop history. Where do you stand?

*By YPB Team · Published April 16, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-prince-album-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Purple Rain**
   Prince's landmark 1984 soundtrack album and film that made him a global superstar, featuring some of rock and soul's most beloved songs.
2. **Sign 'O' the Times**
   Prince's sweeping 1987 double album widely considered his artistic peak, covering politics, spirituality, and sexuality with unmatched versatility.
3. **1999**
   Prince's electrifying 1982 double album blending funk, rock, and new wave with apocalyptic themes and his signature Minneapolis Sound.
4. **Dirty Mind**
   Prince's raw 1980 album that established his provocative persona with stripped-down funk and shockingly frank lyrics about sex.
5. **Around the World in a Day**
   Prince's psychedelic 1985 album deliberately contrasting with the mega-success of Purple Rain, showcasing his eccentric artistry.
6. **Parade**
   Prince's elegant 1986 film soundtrack featuring 'Kiss,' blending chamber pop, funk, and jazz in a uniquely restrained style.
7. **Lovesexy**
   Prince's spiritual 1988 album recorded following the shelving of 'The Black Album,' exploring love, God, and redemption.
8. **Diamonds and Pearls**
   Prince's commercially successful 1991 album introducing his new band the New Power Generation, featuring the hit 'Cream.'
9. **The Gold Experience**
   Prince's fiery 1995 album recorded during his public battle with Warner Bros., featuring 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.'
10. **Controversy**
   Prince's 1981 album deepening his examination of race, religion, and sexuality — a crucial bridge between Dirty Mind and 1999.
11. **Musicology**
   Prince's celebrated 2004 comeback album paying tribute to classic soul and funk while reclaiming his relevance in contemporary music.
12. **Prince**
   Prince's ambitious 1979 second album on which he played all 27 instruments himself, featuring 'I Wanna Be Your Lover.'

Tags: pop, prince, music, 80s, funk