Ranking the Best Prince Albums

For years

And years

AND YEARS

I’ve had one, never-ending album ranking request:

WhEn U gUnNa RaNk PrInCe!?

And for years I ignored it because y’all don’t realize how many albums that man recorded over his near 40-year career.

But after many, many hours, it’s finally here: The definitive ranking of EVERY. PRINCE. ALBUM.

We’re keeping the intro short this time because Lord knows we have a lot to break down. But for clarity, this list only includes officially-released Prince albums. No compilations, live albums, posthumous albums, etc. And before you ask, the Girls 6 soundtrack will NOT be included, as it’s mostly a greatest hits release. However, we will be featuring lots of limited-released LPs instead.

*DEEP BREATH*

Let’s do this. Don’t say I never gave y’all nothin’.

37. The Slaughterhouse (2004)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 1.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: No, even though it looks like it from the cover, this isn’t a demo of an unreleased Playstation 1 game – though you’re probably better off playing that instead of dealing with this. Prince’s NPG Music Club occasionally released exclusive albums to members, including this one. From the suspect raps to needless autotune this could be a “Twitter Classic” in 2021. And I’d still say it was awful. Prince completists will lap this up but even the most tolerable songs feel unfinished.

Forgotten favorites: “Hypnoparadise”

36. The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 2 stars out of 5

Edd said: Nas fans, consider this one Prince’s Lost Tapes. Consisting of a decade of unreleased songs spanning back to 1985, Prince submitted this album for release in 1996 but it didn’t drop officially until ’99. Prince diehards reportedly were annoyed because it contained reworked songs that were better on previous bootlegs. I guess I feel them – there’s very little that’s remarkable here and clearly feels like a contract obligation instead of a body of work. These “Old Friends” feel more like boring hangers-on.

Forgotten favorites: “There is Lonely,” “She Spoke 2 Me”

35. N-E-W-S (2003)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 2 stars out of 5

Edd said: Obviously your mileage will vary on N-E-W-S, Prince’s four-track improv instrumental album. And here’s the issue – while the instrumentation is sound, it’s near-hour run time means it drags. REALLY DRAGS.  Cut the time and half and you’d have something much more digestible. As it currently stands, it’s way too monotonous to be a good time.

Forgotten favorites: ehhh, “East” was cool I guess.

34. 20Ten (2010)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 2.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: When Prince is motivated, he’s one of the greatest creatives minds to have ever graced this planet. But when he’s bored? Well, you get this. Everything on 20Ten feels like a dull rehash of his classic hits, almost as if he’s holding back. That runs counter to the unrestrained ferocity of his best work. I mean, when he named this album 20Ten in the year 2010 you can tell that this one was phone in. BTW, that “Everybody Loves Me” song might be my least favorite song ever. Not just least favorite Prince song mind you, LEAST FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC EVER RECORDED. Even worse than “Laffy Taffy.”

Forgotten favorites: “Future Soul Song,” “Walk in the Sand,” “Laydown”

33. The Chocolate Invasion (2004)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 2.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Yet another, ahem, “gift” to members of the NPG Music Club, this one fares a little better than Slaughterhouse – but not by much. It’s one of Prince’s infamous experimental joints that hops from genre to genre aimlessly. There are a couple standouts (specifically “U Make the Sun Shine” with Angie Stone) but otherwise this album only exists as bragging rights for Prince stans who own it.

Forgotten favorites: “Underneath the Cream,” “Gamillah,” “U Make the Sun Shine”

32. HITnRUN Phase One (2015)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: Prince never shied away from experimentation, but in the latter stages of his career a lot of those risks came off as a lack of focus. Phase One of the HITnRUN series is a perfect example, swinging from uninspired hip-hop to watered down EDM. A smattering of interesting songs and a lot of head scratchers – that’s about all you get here.

Forgotten favorites: “Million $ Show,” “1000 X’s & O’s,” “This Could B Us”

31. Xpectation (2003)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: Prince’s first instrumental album improves on the first by NOT being as long as an episode of Falcon and the Winter Solider. Again, it’s sonically sound, especially the strings on “Xhalation” and the lively horns on “Xpectation,” but it’s far from a must-hear.

Forgotten favorites: “Xhalation,” “Xpectation”

30. One Nite Alone … (2002)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: Originally distributed as a gift to members of the NPG Music Club, this album went for years without a proper release, only landing on streaming services a few years back. It’s just a man and his piano, and the pair make beautiful music together – sometimes. I can’t be too harsh on it, the mood is as sensuous as you’d expect but Prince never cuts loose like you’d expect, with this instead feeling more like a gentle freestyle session. Again it’s a nice curiosity for fans but a bit of a wasted opportunity. Those poor NPG Music Club members – Prince never hooked them up with an exclusive banger.

Forgotten favorites: “A Case of U,” “One Nite Alone,” “Pearls B4 the Swine”

29. Lotusflow3r/MPLSound (2009)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: OK, here’s another weird one. Lotusflow3r and MPLSound were released as part of a three-disc box set with Elixer, an LP from Prince protege Bria Valente. Since they were presented as a combo, I’m considering Lotusflow3r and MPLSound one package (think Jay Z’s old Gift and Curse CDs). But I’m not counting the Bria album here because GOOD LORD I’m not sitting through yet ANOTHER album for this mammoth list, y’all aren’t paying me enough. Or anything, now that I think of it. Anyway – and stop me if you’ve heard this before – but latter day Prince was kinda all over the place. A little jazz, a little rock, a little pop but unfortunately little of it is interesting. Of the two, MPLSound is much more fun and cohesive than the utterly uninteresting Lotusflow3r, which on its own merits might fall to the bottom rung of this list. Splitting the difference, it’s an OK package.

Forgotten favorites: “U’re Gonna C Me,” “Chocolate Box (They’ll Never B),” “Another Like Me”

28. Plectrumelectrum (2014)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: I dare you to say that title three times fast. Actually just try to say it one time fast. It looks like someone spilled a box of Alpha-Bits cereal on the floor. Released on the same day as Art Official Age (which we’ll get to soon), this is a collab with Prince’s touring band 3rdeyegirl and is a clear showcase for them. It’s also more rock-inspired than the spacey soul of its companion. Despite some highlights (“TicTacToe” is GREAT, one of my favorite latter-day Prince songs) questionable sequencing throws the album’s pacing is off, making it feel much longer than its 44 minutes.

Forgotten favorites: “TicTacToe,” “WhiteCaps,” “AnotherLove”

27. Chaos and Disorder (1996)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: Whew lawd, this one lives up to its name. Thrown out to just fulfill his contractual obligations at Warner Bros records, Prince didn’t even bother promoting this one. With its tumultuous history, you’d expect this one to be an unlistenable disaster but that’s not really the case. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s NOT great – it feels obviously rushed and repetitive but the grunge/funk fusion works better than you’d expect. And hey, my girl Rosie Gaines even shows up for a few tracks. With a little more care this could have been a solid effort.

Forgotten favorites: “Dinner with Delores,” “I Will,” “Into the Light”

26. HITnRUN Phase Two (2015)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: For now, this stands as Prince’s final album – that is, until his estate starts pumping out an endless legion of unreleased albums. And NO, I’m not ranking them. Phase Two feels a bit more fully formed and focused than Phase One, thanks to poignant messages like those in “Baltimore” and the storytelling of “RockNRoll LoveAffair.” It’s much more fun than Phase One but it’s legacy will forever stand as a sad final footnote in Prince’s massive catalog.

Forgotten favorites: “Groovy Potential,” “RockNRoll LoveAffair,” “Look at Me, Look at U”

25. Come (1994)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: I expect Come to be the first of many entries on this list where Prince fans will demand my neck in a noose. It’s pretty beloved in many circles but it’s not without its issues. This is the final album before Prince changed his stage name and became the world’s first emoji, and what an interesting way to go out. There’s no subtlety on this one, Prince might be at his absolute freakiest. The album’s dark tone and experimental nature has prompted mixed reviews over the years (and Prince himself has hand waved most of the songs away as dated material), Musically, it’s pretty solid, it’s just that the writing feels uninspired at best and kinda juvenile at worst.

Forgotten favorites: “Letitgo,” “Come,” “Space”

24. Art Official Age (2014)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: One thing about Prince – he’s gonna keep you guessing. Art Official Age’s blend of afro-futurism and 80s soul reminds me, coincidentally, of the early work of Prince protégé Janelle Monae. Like a lot of latter-day Prince efforts, it’s hurt by its unevenness. But when it’s good, it’s really good.

Forgotten favorites: “Clouds,” “This Could Be Us,” “Breakfast Can Wait”

23. For You (1978)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: And this is where it all started. While it didn’t make much of an impact at the time (“Soft and Wet” was a minor hit) Prince’s debut album is not without its charms – peep the furious guitar on “I’m Yours.” But despite Prince’s limitless talent, which was only beginning to emerge here, For You more or less feels like a run of the mill R&B album of the era. It’s also funny how restrained  it feels. As we know, it wouldn’t take long for Prince to break those chains.

Forgotten favorites: “Just as Long as We’re Together,” “Baby,” “I’m Yours”

22. The Black Album (1994)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Here we go, one of the most infamous albums in music history. Originally set to drop after Sign o’ the Times, this album aimed to redirect Prince from his pop sound and reconnect him with Black audiences (hence, The Black Album). But at some point Prince became convinced that the album was “evil,” had it pulled at the last minute and the legend of The Album Prince Didn’t WANT You To Hear grew to mythical levels. Every kid had an “uncle” who owned the mysterious album – that same uncle also “worked for Nintendo” and knew the code to unlock Mike Tyson in Mortal Kombat. Anyway, The Black Album was released in very short supply in the mid-90s, but you can’t hide anything on the internet in 2021, so if you look hard enough you can find it today. Sonically, this might be Prince at his most funky and his most brazen – lusting after Cindy Crawford on “Cindy C” or dissing tone deaf MCs on “dead on it.” Lots of faux personas and weird vocal effects drive this one, making it a psychiatrist’s dream. It’s a fascinating look into Prince’s psyche but its erratic nature doesn’t always make for an easy listen. And besides, there was no way it could ever live up to its hype.

Forgotten favorites: “When 2 R in Love,” “Cindy C,” “superfunkycalifragisexy”

21. Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: It’s not too often we see Prince collab with other high profile artists, but that’s one of the draws of Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic. Hearing the likes of Eve, Ani DiFranco, Gwen Stefani and Prince together is kinda weird; it just sounds like the shuffle went nuts on my wife’s road trip playlist. While the multitude of guests are fine, the quality itself is just OK, making it a respectable but very middle-of-the-road release.

Forgotten favorites: “The Sun, The Moon and Stars,” “Man ‘O’War (Remix),” “Eye Love U, But Eye Don’t Trust U Anymore”

20. Crystal Ball/The Truth (1998)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Oh come on, playa, A QUADRUPLE ALBUM!? You’re killing me, Prince. The Truth LP was bundled with the three-disc Crystal Ball for a complete four-disc set, so, again, I’m considering this a group effort. Crystal Ball is truly a time capsule, consisting of unreleased songs dating all the way back to the mid 80s. As you can imagine, there’s a LOT of music to wade through, but it’s not the chore it seems. Most everything here is at least solid and there are a few gems sprinkled throughout. Meanwhile, The Truth is original acoustic material – an excellent supplement and a very solid album on its own. Overall, the massiveness of the set makes it overwhelming but Prince could teach my Cousin Chris Brown about how to not make a 40-something track album a complete disaster.

Forgotten favorites: “Crucial,” “So Dark,” “Strays of the World,” “Goodbye,” “Don’t Play Me”

19. Planet Earth (2007)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Of all the albums I listened to over the countless hours it took to rank Prince’s work, this one caught me most by surprise. I guess it proves there’s nothing like getting the band back together. A reunion of sorts with former members of Prince’sNew Power Generation and Revolution bands, it doesn’t take long to bring a bit of the old magic back. Prince feels absolutely rejuvenated; for instance, you can tell he’s having a ball talking his talk on “Mr. Goodnight.” It’s biggest crime might be that it’s just not very memorable and struggles to stand out in Prince’s vast discography.

Forgotten favorites: “Future Baby Mama,” “Somewhere Here on Earth,” “The One U Wanna C”

18. Graffiti Bridge (1990)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Here’s the understatement of the millennium – the Graffiti Bridge album is better than the Graffiti Bridge film. Shocking, I know. We get way more guests here than usual for a Prince outing, with The Time, George Clinton and Tevin Campbell all adding to the proceedings. The more unified funk sound makes this feel more cohesive that some of Prince’s more experimental works further down this list. The groove is undeniable. That said, some of the production does feel a bit dated – a rarity for Prince’s work.

Forgotten favorites: “Graffiti Bridge,” “Shake,” “Melody Cool”

17. The Rainbow Children (2001)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: The Rainbow Children was quite the return to form for Prince. No more Love Symbol symbol, Prince was finally back to using his government name again. Also, this harkened the return of more live instrumentation, with several songs feeling like an organic jam session. The jazzy feel fit in well during the era’s neo-soul movement, as did the themes of spirituality and social justice are very strong too. Another underrated Price effort.

Forgotten favorites: “She Loves Me 4 Me,” “Everywhere,” “1+1+1 is 3”

16. Musicology (2004)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: After years of uncertainty, drama and misdirection, finally we get redemption. The highly celebrated Musicology was quite the revival for Prince, his biggest selling album since the Diamonds and Pearls days and it netted him a couple of Grammys as well. Though the writing might not be as daring as peak Prince projects, the production and performances were his best work in years.  

Forgotten favorites: “If Eye Was the Man In Ur Life,” “A Million Days,” “Cinnamon Girl”

15. 3121 (2006)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: The twin half of Prince’s miraculous mid-00s comeback, the second verse was even better than the first. Celebrated as Prince’s last great work, 3121 still lives up to that rep. Prince sounds like he’s having the time of his life jamming to Latin-tinged numbers, optimistic love songs and sultry bedroom burners. Prince didn’t always sound comfortable adapting to modern sounds but he did it here expertly. Prince hadn’t felt this free in years.

Forgotten favorites: Black Sweat, The Dance, Incense and Candles

14. Diamonds and Pearls (1991)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: “Diamonds and Pearls” is probably my favorite Prince song ever, so you know this set holds a special place in a playa’s heart. And there’s way more to this one than that track. Prince’s hybrid-sounding albums don’t always work out in terms of consistency, but Diamonds and Pearls holds together nicely thanks to the efforts of New Power Generation, who make their debut here. It slightly loses momentum on the second half due to some OK-ish club tracks but it’s a mighty effort regardless.

Forgotten favorites: “Thunder,” “Strollin,” “Daddy Pop”

13. [Love Symbol] (1992)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Stroll with me back to 1992, when everyone was obsessed with the Olympics, Super Nintendo vs Sega Genesis was the hottest rivalry in the streets and Prince defiantly threw his name away and just made up a new one. Boss moves. After a well-publicized beef with his record label over trademarking his likeness, Prince copyrighted an unpronounceable symbol, made it his stage name, err, symbol, and for the next seven years became the industry’s biggest rebel. This was the first album released under that moniker and The Artist was not playing around. As usual, Prince leaps from genre to genre, but the sonic diversity works in his favor. Though headlines were more concerned with drama, The Album With No Name proves Prince was still dropping high-quality LPs.

Forgotten favorites: “3 Chains o’ Gold,” “Blue Light,” “The Morning Papers”

12. Emancipation (1996)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Prince was feeling himself in 1996 – he was finally free from the oppression of the slave masters at Warner Bros (hey, he said it first, not me) and was celebrating a new marriage. The result is a feel good – if VERY lengthy – three disc house party. But as we’ve mentioned before, a focused Prince is an unstoppable Prince. Despite the gargantuan tracklist, the album rarely wears out its welcome, instead giving Prince an opportunity to both experiment and pull tinker with every tool in his toolbox. That said, if the third disc (where most of the more mediocre songs reside) was left on the cutting room floor, this would be even better, probably sliding into the top 10. It’s that good.

Forgotten favorites: “Betcha By Golly Wow,” “Jam of the Year,” “Dreamin’ About U”

11. Lovesexy (1988)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Lovesexy has gone on to acclaim in recent years but back in 88, the reception was a bit more mixed. Prince’s conceptual take on good vs evil is very ambitious and, as usual, caused from squeamishness from onlookers. Everyone else was too busy having a good time, thanks to the energetic dance numbers fuels this one. Still, something always felt missing in the construction of this one – maybe due to it hastily replacing the Black Album of Doom.

Forgotten favorites: Glam Slam, Anna Stesia, When 2 R in Love (again)

10. Prince (1979)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Prince’s sophomore set is interesting – showed growth from his debut but he was still a year or so away from evolving into Megastar Prince. That leaves his self-titled effort as sort of a work in progress for his eventual stardom. But by no means does this one miss the mark, it’s home to some of his best early hits.  Prince was still finding himself on this one, and it wouldn’t take long for him to explode.

Forgotten favorites: “When We’re Dancing Close and Slow,” “Sexy Dancer,” “I Feel For You”

9. The Gold Experience (1995)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Full disclosure: This is my personal favorite Prince album. It doesn’t offer any new tricks to his repertoire, but everything he does here he does extremely well. The adrenaline-fueled “Endorphinemachine,” the sultry “Shhh,” the socially conscious “We March,” the gorgeous tribute to womanhood “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” – it showcases every side of a very complex (and complicated) artist. From the stripped down funk to classic 90s hip-hop and R&B, it’s Prince’s defining 90s release.

Forgotten favorites: “Shhh,” “Gold,” “Eye Hate U”

8. Controversy (1981)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Controversy was our first peek into the mind of a musical genius. Instead of running from those whispers about his sexuality and race, he tossed the answers right back in the face of his inquisitors. Lashing out at politicians, speaking out against the deaths of black teens – talk about a predecessor to 2021 music. And thanks to the layered electro-funk and upbeat atmosphere, it never feels preachy. Prince truly had something to say and few albums have had conceptual and cultural impact of Controversy.

Forgotten favorites: “Private Joy,” “Annie Christian,” “Jack U Off”

7. Batman (1989)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: The best Prince album that doesn’t get the love it deserves. Commercially, Prince’s soundtrack the defining superhero hit was a cash cow, riding off the mega success of the film franchise. Conceptually, it’s intriguing – each song is based off a main character from the movie, blending of electronic funk, piano ballads  and steamy soul. And best of all, it’s just boundless fun. It doesn’t get brought up as much as Prince’s critical darlings but I’m giving flowers today. It’s some of his best work.

Forgotten favorites: “Partyman,” “Trust,” “The Arms of Orion”

6. Parade (1986)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: If you wanted to buy a Sam Cooke album, where would you go? If you know the answer to this, you must have spent 30 seconds around my wife – she’s OBSESSED with Under the Cherry Moon film and thankfully this soundtrack is vastly superior to that weird movie. From the thumping march of the title track to the whips of “Life Can Be So Nice,” to the gorgeous keys of “Venus de Milo,” each song is an adventure in itself, and that’s long before we get to the iconic “Kiss.” Can Prince claim to be the greatest soundtrack artist of all time? I think so. #WreckaStow

Forgotten favorites: “Life Can Be so Nice,” “Under the Cherry Moon,” “Sometimes it Snows in April”

5. Around the World in a Day (1985)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: How do you follow up arguably one of the best albums ever recorded? With a slice of weirdo psychedelic funk, that’s how. Around the World in a Day is absolutely NOTHING like it’s purple predecessor, and that’s why it works so well. While reviews were a bit mixed at the time, it has aged expertly. It’s sonically daring and sprinkles just enough intriguing thought to keep the party as smart as it is funky. Things slow down a little on the second half of the album but that’s a nitpick – this journey is just as good as the destination.

Forgotten favorites: “Around the World in a Day,” “Paisley Park,” “Temptation”

4. Dirty Mind (1980)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Context is everything, y’all. In the late 70s, Prince was talented singer and performer, no doubt, but his content didn’t really stand out from any other hopeless romantic. Dirty Mind is the first album that turned up the freak factor, truly evolving him into the controversy magnet he became. If Twitter lost its mind whining about Cardi B and Megan’s “WAP,” image what they’d do about Prince daydreaming about sexing his sister! Every song here is effortlessly cool, utterly defiant and dripping with lust. It might not be the first album that comes to mind when thinking of Prince’s greatest works, but it should be. It’s an absolute game changer.

Forgotten favorites: “When You Were Mine,” “Uptown,” “Sister”

3. 1999 (1982)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 5 stars out of 5

Edd said: 1999 is an absolute hit factory, home to some of the most recognizable songs of the 80s. But thankfully, it’s much more than a commercial powerhouse, it helped shaped the sound of 80s funk. This album is the personification of the Minneapolis sound, from the hyperactive funk to the creeping sultry numbers. Once again, Prince rewrote the rules and landed another masterpiece on his mantle.

Forgotten favorites: “Automatic,” “Something in the Water (Does not Compute),” “Lady Cab Driver”

2. Purple Rain (1984)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Dearly beloved, when we gathered here today we knew this one was gonna be pretty high on the list. While the quality of its namesake film can rightfully be debated – let’s keep it real, ya’ll – what can’t be criticized is its iconic soundtrack. All nine songs have become synonymous with not just Prince but 80s music in general. This is the true definition of a masterpiece, in all its purple glory. And it’s STILL not his best album!

Forgotten favorites: “Take Me With U,” “Baby I’m A Star,” “Darling Nikki”

1. Sign o’ the Times (1987)

Soul In Stereo ranking: 5 stars out of 5

Edd said: In the eyes of the mainstream, Purple Rain is Prince’s signature album, the best characterization of Prince the rock star. But in my eyes, Sign o’ the Times is the best depiction of Prince Rogers Nelson the man. The hilarious party starter, the socially conscious Black man, the insatiable and one of the greatest guitarists to ever grace the planet. Sign o’ the Times combines every facet of Prince’s personality into one daring package. On top of that, it may be the best produced album in music history. In a catalog filled with classics, this one stands above them all – one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

Forgotten favorites: “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” “Slow Love,” “Hot Thang”

WHEW that took WAY TOO LONG. Argue about what you thought should be No. 1 in the comments but I’ll probably ignore you, I gotta catch up on sleep after this one.