Prince

An American singer-songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist, and actor who produced 22 RIAA-platinum albums throughout his 40-year career, Prince is known for a variety of achievements – including his role as “The Kid” in the iconic film/album/8 ½ minute ballad “Purple Rain,” writing the acclaimed anthem “Kiss,” rivalling Michael Jackson at his peak, being the inspiration for censorship laws, or being the artist recognized by an unpronounceable symbol in the 1990s. Despite many knowing of him, not all fully appreciate the impact of Prince's legacy.

Using several aliases in his life, Prince Rogers Nelson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 7, 1958, sharing his father's (John L. Nelson) stage name as his own given one. As a child, Prince suffered from severe epileptic seizures but had composed his first of many works by age seven, fueled by a passion for music, aside from his love for basketball. His turbulent childhood, filled with alcoholism and abuse, led him to seek refuge in neighbor André Cymone’s home as a teen. Together, they competed in local band contests, which introduced Prince to Morris Day and music collaborations with his cousin's band, 94 East. His talent drew the attention of record labels, and he eventually signed with Warner Bros. Records with full creative control. At 19, he released his debut album, For You (1978), playing all 19 instruments on the album himself.

Influenced by Miles Davis, Rick James, and James Brown, Prince aimed to create a music dynasty. Following the success of subsequent albums – the platinum-selling Prince (1979), the sexually-charged Dirty Mind (1980), and politically-driven Controversy (1981) – he negotiated for the opportunity to establish his own label and manage his own artists. Prince's signature blend of sexual/religious themes within pop-and-dance, funk-rock sound attracted a following, but his opening performances for Rick James and The Rolling Stones were poorly received. Facing financial difficulties, he pursued mainstream success. Tapping into the era's drug-induced doomsday fears, 1982’s 1999 achieved widespread appeal, featuring on MTV and charts worldwide.

Soon after, Prince and Warner Bros. worked on a blockbuster film/album project, which finalized in 1984 after extensive cast changes and rewrites. His touring band became The Revolution just in time for the release of Purple Rain, also starring Morris Day and Apollonia Kotero. This album, certified 13x Platinum, produced Prince’s first two #1 singles, “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy.” This success propelled Prince to “mega-superstar” status, alongside Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, and Whitney Houston.

Prince's popularity was reinforced with albums like Around the World in a Day (1985), Sign O' The Times (1987), Diamond & Pearls (1991), Symbol (1992), and the infamous bootlegged The Black Album (1987/1994), which he withdrew at the last moment for the more ‘holistic’ Lovesexy (1987). More soundtracks followed with Parade (1986), Batman (1989), Graffiti Bridge (1990), and Girl 6. He managed several associated acts, and produced, composed, and/or promoted for them (Sheila E., Carmen Electra, The Family, Sheena Easton, Madhouse, and Vanity 6, among others).

The 1990s marked a new era—Prince formed The New Power Generation (NPG), initially a band, later a record label, and eventually an avenue for non-Warner Bros. releases. His frustration with the recording industry's constraints peaked in the mid-90s, alongside pop star George Michael. Prince even appeared with ‘SL4VE’ inscribed on his face. In an effort to escape contractual obligations and restrictions, he adopted the infamous unpronounceable symbol as his identity, allowing himself to be referred to as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince from 1993-2001.

This transformation led to a decline in popularity, but Prince was unfazed. He released previously-blocked compilations and 'dropped' recordings until his contract was fulfilled in 1996. With the release of Emancipation in November of that year, Prince became entirely independent, ending his martyrdom and becoming a pioneer for indie musicians, all before turning 40. He embraced a more serious religious life away from the public, while still making significant impacts on the music industry through the new millennium. He established Paisley Park Records, a recording studio/label/residential complex, and pioneered online music distribution with toll-free numbers and members-only sites. As technology advanced, however, he declared the internet 'over,' removing his entire catalog and presence online. He used his influence to encourage artist independence and champion philanthropic causes (notably hack-a-thons, veganism, and the Black Lives Matter movement in later life) and engaged with conspiracy theories and skepticism toward the American government.

In the 2000s, Prince re-emerged in the mainstream, returning to his original name, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recording the Grammy-winning Musicology (2004), and headlining a rain-soaked Super Bowl performance—a peak in his many legendary shows. He returned to Warner Bros. in 2014 with Art Official Age, alongside yet another band, 3rdeyegirl.

On April 21, 2016, five months after his 39th studio album HitNRun Phase Two was released, Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park and pronounced dead at the age of 57. His autopsy confirmed he died from an accidental fentanyl (painkiller) overdose. After a legal contestation, his estate—including the majority of his recordings—was assigned to his half-sister Tyka.

Prince's metaphorical and explicitly unreserved music—marked by performances in scanty outfits, high-heel kicks, and those famous ‘chap-less’ pants—rendered him incomparable in music history. Regarded as one of the greatest live performers, he also played a role in advancing many artists' careers, with his music covered to chart success by numerous artists (Common, Chaka Khan, LeToya Jackson, Sinéad O'Connor, TLC, Toni Braxton, and others). Even at his career's zenith and beyond, Prince composed, produced, and wrote most of his recorded music. Besides thousands of released or performed songs, he kept several unreleased pieces secretly vaulted at the Paisley Park complex, giving name to the 1999 compilation The Vault…Old Friends 4 Sale, later opened for archival in coordination with Paisley Park staff, the Prince estate, and Warner Bros.

President Barack Obama’s statement reflecting Prince’s death encapsulates his career: “Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent,” he affirmed. “As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all.”