Diamonds and Pearls

Lore & Background

The album produced several hit singles, including 'Gett Off', 'Cream', 'Money Don't Matter 2 Night', 'Insatiable', and the title track. Dancers Lori Werner (then dancing under the stage name of Lori Elle) and Robia LaMorte, known as 'Diamond' and 'Pearl' respectively, appeared on the holographic cover (re-pressings of the album are non holographic). Diamond and Pearl also appeared in the music videos for 'Cream', 'Strollin'', 'Gett Off', and the title track, and also participated in Prince's Diamonds and Pearls Tour. Diamonds and Pearls contains a hybrid of music styles, from the funk of 'Daddy Pop', 'Jughead', and first single 'Gett Off', to some of the more mainstream pop/rock songs Prince had recorded in some time, such as 'Cream', 'Money Don't Matter 2 Night' and the title song. 'Willing and Able' was used in a video montage during the closing credits of CBS' coverage of Super Bowl XXVI.

In Their Own Story

The lights dimmed in the grand hall as the bass line kicked in, a deep, rolling thunder that vibrated through the floorboards. The New Power Generation stepped into view, a kaleidoscope of sequins and synchronized movement, their energy electric against the backdrop of a city skyline. As the first chorus swelled, it wasn't just music; it was a declaration of joy, a moment where the boundary between performer and audience dissolved into a shared rhythm of diamonds and pearls.

Reader's Guide

Diamonds and Pearls was released in the United States on October 1, 1991, and internationally two days later. It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, number two on the UK Albums Chart, and number one on the Billboard Top R&B Albums and Australia's ARIA Albums Chart. It also peaked in the top 10 across several charts in Europe and New Zealand. The album gathered two top 5 singles: the title track, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and his career-final Hot 100 number-one single, 'Cream'. 'Gett Off' and 'Money Don't Matter 2 Night' both hit the top 40 on the Hot 100, peaking at 21 and 23, respectively. Diamonds and Pearls was reissued in remastered, deluxe and super deluxe versions on October 27, 2023. The super deluxe version contains a 2023 remaster of the album, 15 remastered versions of all the singles mixes and edits, 33 previously unreleased studio recordings, an unreleased live concert album of the official dress rehearsal of the Diamonds and Pearls Tour recorded at Glam Slam on January 11, 1992. The final disc, a Blu-ray, includes the Glam Slam performance; footage from a Special Olympics concert recorded on July 20, 1991, and the soundcheck the day before; and a restored version of the Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection. A limited edition 7" vinyl set of the singles from Diamonds and Pearls included the new single 'Alice Through the Looking Glass.'

Did You Know?

• The album's holographic cover featured dancers Lori Werner (as 'Diamond') and Robia LaMorte (as 'Pearl').
• The track 'Willing and Able' was used in a video montage during the closing credits of CBS' coverage of Super Bowl XXVI.
• The super deluxe reissue includes a Blu-ray with footage from a Special Olympics concert recorded on July 20, 1991.