✦ Diamonds and Pearls – Album US/UK: Oct. 1991

A sparkling fusion of funk, pop, hip‑hop, and new‑era swagger — the rebirth of Prince with the New Power Generation.

✦ — SUMMARY

Released October 1, 1991 in the US (Paisley Park / Warner Bros., catalogue 9 25379‑2) and in November 1991 in the UK, Diamonds and Pearls marked the full arrival of Prince and The New Power Generation. The album generated a string of major hits — “Gett Off,” “Cream,” “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night,” “Insatiable,” and the title track — and introduced dancers Diamond (Lori Elle) and Pearl (Robia LaMorte) on its holographic cover.

Musically, the album blends Minneapolis funk, hip‑hop‑infused grooves, lush balladry, and polished pop‑rock. It became one of Prince’s biggest commercial successes of the 1990s and set the stage for the NPG’s dominance throughout the decade.

✦ — HIGHLIGHTS

• Released October 1, 1991 (US) / November 1991 (UK)

• First full studio album by Prince and The New Power Generation

• Produced five major singles, including the #1 hit “Cream”

• Holographic cover featuring Diamond & Pearl (later pressings non‑holographic)

• Blend of funk, hip‑hop, R&B, and pop‑rock

• Supported by the Diamonds and Pearls Tour

• “Willing and Able” featured during CBS’s Super Bowl XXVI broadcast

✦ — TRACK DETAILS

2×LP – Paisley Park / Warner Bros. – 1991

(All songs written by Prince, credited to Prince and The New Power Generation, except where noted.)

Side 1

Thunder — 5:45

Daddy Pop — 5:16

Diamonds and Pearls — 4:43

Side 2

Cream — 4:12

Strollin’ — 3:46

Willing and Able — 4:59 (co‑written with Levi Seacer Jr. & Rosie Gaines)

Gett Off — 4:31

Side 3

Walk Don’t Walk — 3:07

Jughead — 4:56 (co‑written with Tony M.)

Money Don’t Matter 2 Night — 4:46

Push — 5:52 (co‑written with Levi Seacer Jr.)

Side 4

Insatiable — 6:39

Live 4 Love — 6:59 (co‑written with Michael B. & Sonny T.)

Total length: ~65 minutes

✦ — REISSUES & GLOBAL VARIANTS

(Verified via Prince Vault, Discogs, Warner Records)

1991 Original Releases

• CD — Paisley Park / Warner Bros. 9 25379‑2 — US

• CD — Europe/UK variants

• Cassette — Worldwide

• 2×LP — Holographic cover (first pressings), later non‑holographic

Later Editions

• Digital releases on all major platforms

• Vinyl represses in Europe and the US

• 2023 Super Deluxe Edition (CD/LP/digital)

✦ — PRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

• Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince

• Recorded 1990–1991 at Paisley Park Studios

• First full album with the New Power Generation lineup

• Introduced Diamond & Pearl as visual icons of the era

• Stylistic blend: funk, hip‑hop, R&B, pop‑rock, ballads

• “Willing and Able” featured in CBS’s Super Bowl XXVI closing montage

✦ — SINGLES RELEASED

Gett Off — June 1991

Cream — September 1991 (US #1)

Insatiable — November 1991

Diamonds and Pearls — November 1991

Money Don’t Matter 2 Night — March 1992

✦ — CHART PERFORMANCE

United States

• Billboard 200 — Top 5

• “Cream” — #1 Hot 100

• “Diamonds and Pearls” — Top 5

• RIAA — Multi‑Platinum

United Kingdom

• UK Albums Chart — Top 3

International

• Strong chart performance across Europe and Oceania

✦ — DISCOGRAPHY

Graffiti Bridge — 1990

Diamonds and Pearls — 1991

O(+> / The Symbol Album — 1992

✦ — PRINCE ERA MINI‑TIMELINE

1990 — Graffiti Bridge

1991 — Diamonds and Pearls released

1992 — The Symbol Album continues the NPG era

✦ — GLAM FLASHBACK

Diamonds and Pearls is Prince stepping boldly into the ’90s — a polished, swaggering, radio‑ready explosion of funk and pop. With the NPG at full power and Diamond & Pearl adding visual flair, the era remains one of his most iconic reinventions.

✦ — COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All images, artwork, logos, and related materials referenced or displayed in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles.

✦ — SOURCES

Prince Vault

Discogs

Warner Bros. Records catalogue data

Billboard archives

UK Official Charts Company