There are stars… and then there was Prince. A one-man lightning strike of funk, rock, R&B, pop, and pure theatrical electricity. Born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis in 1958, he didn’t just make music—he bent it, twisted it, dressed it in lace, and sent it strutting across the stage in six-inch heels.
From the late 1970s through the 1990s, Prince built one of the most innovative catalogs in modern music. Albums like 1999 and Purple Rain didn’t just top charts—they rewired the sound of the decade. The 1984 film and soundtrack Purple Rain turned him into a global superstar, producing timeless hits like “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and the title track “Purple Rain.”
Prince was famously hands-on. He wrote, produced, arranged, and played most of the instruments on many of his albums. Guitar? Masterful. Piano? Soulful. Drums? Tight and funky. Few artists in history matched his sheer musical command.
And then there was the stage presence. Whether shredding in a cloud of purple smoke or delivering a slow-burn ballad, Prince performed like a man who knew the spotlight personally. His 2007 Super Bowl halftime show—closing with “Purple Rain” as actual rain poured down—remains one of the most celebrated live performances ever televised.
Beyond the hits, Prince challenged the music industry itself. In the 1990s, he famously changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in a battle over artistic ownership and creative control. He fought for artists’ rights long before streaming made those battles mainstream conversation.
Prince passed away in 2016, but his influence echoes everywhere—from pop to hip-hop to indie rock. Artists across generations cite him as inspiration. His vault of unreleased music continues to reveal just how prolific he truly was.
Prince wasn’t just a singer. He was a movement. A mood. A masterclass in fearless self-expression. And in a world that often demands conformity, he chose purple—and made the world see it.
10. If I Was Your Girlfriend (2020 Remaster)
9. I Wanna Be Your Lover
8. Sign O' The Times
7. Let's Go Crazy (Prince and The Revolution)
6. Little Red Corvette
5. 1999
4. Raspberry Beret (Prince and The Revolution)
3. Kiss (Prince and The Revolution)
2. When Doves Cry (Prince and The Revolution)
1. Purple Rain
