"Purple Rain" is the sixth studio album by American rock musician Prince, released on June 25, 1984, via Warner Bros. Records. Serving as the soundtrack to the film of the same name, this album marked a pivotal moment in Prince's career with its rich, multi-layered sound that featured a mix of guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, and drum machines.
 
Renowned for its grand, psychedelic production and its pop-centric approach, Purple Rain also hints at the experimental directions Prince would explore in later work. The album's lead single, "When Doves Cry," was controversial for its explicit content, while "Darling Nikki" was a focal point in the debate that led to the creation of Parental Advisory stickers.
 
The album was a commercial triumph, becoming Prince’s first to top the Billboard 200 chart, where it remained at number one for 24 consecutive weeks and accumulated a total of 167 weeks on the chart. With over 25 million copies sold worldwide, Purple Rain stands as one of the best-selling albums ever and was certified 13× Platinum by the RIAA in May 1996. Its singles, particularly "When Doves Cry" and "Let’s Go Crazy," achieved major success, with "When Doves Cry" and "Let’s Go Crazy" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Critics have praised Purple Rain for its bold experimentation and genre-blending sound. The album is frequently ranked among the greatest records of all time, holding the number 8 spot on Rolling Stone’s 2020 “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list and was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame induction and inclusion in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical significance.