Prince produced dozens of commercially released albums over the course of his career, augmented by an extensive back catalog of work he kept in his vault at Paisley Park.
Here are some of his landmark releases, in chronological order:
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“For You.” 1978. Prince’s debut album, released when he was 19.
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“Prince.” 1979. Included his first signature tune, “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”
This file photo taken on May 18, 2013 shows musician Prince performing onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pop icon Prince died at his compound in Minnesota on April 21, 2016, a representative stated. He was 57. “It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,” said his spokeswoman, Yvette Noel-Schure.
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“Dirty Mind.” 1980. Featuring Prince in a thong on the cover, the record helped cement the singer’s ascendency to pop superstardom.
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“1999.” 1982. The album’s title track would become an anthem for millennium parties the world over.
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“Purple Rain.” 1984. The soundtrack album to a movie of the same name, the record would later be recognized as one of the greatest of all time.
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“Parade.” 1986. Featuring arguably his most-recognized song ever, “Kiss.”
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“Sign o’ the Times.” 1987. A defining soundtrack to the 1980s, Prince demonstrated his musical scope with a swirling kaleidoscope of sounds.
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“Loves3xy.” 1988. Prince sparked controversy by posing nude on the cover of the album, which includes the classic “Alphabet St.”
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“3121” 2006. Prince’s 31st studio album, debuting at No.1, marked a major comeback and his first album to hit the top spot since “Batman” in 1989.
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“Plectrumelectrum,” 2014. Featuring his backing group 3rdeyegirl, the record showcased Prince’s continued hunger to experiment, innovate and entertain.
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