Prince

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Prince (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, and actor. A prominent figure in popular music, he was known for his eclectic work across multiple genres, flamboyant stage presence, extravagant fashion sense and use of makeup, and wide vocal range. Prince was also a pioneer in the Minneapolis sound, a hybrid mixture of funk, rock, pop, R&B, and new wave that has influenced many other musicians.

Early Life

Prince Rogers Nelson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of jazz singer Mattie Della (née Shaw) and pianist and songwriter John Lewis Nelson. His music career began when he signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19.

Career

Prince released his first album, For You, in 1978, followed by Prince in 1979, which contained the hit singles "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover". His 1980 album, Dirty Mind, featured his Minneapolis sound and contained sexually explicit material, leading to it being labeled "controversial" by the mainstream press.

In 1984, Prince starred in the film Purple Rain, which was developed to showcase his talents. The film was accompanied by the album of the same name, which sold over 13 million copies in the US and spent 24 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums in music history, and the title track, "Purple Rain", became one of Prince's signature songs.

Throughout his career, Prince released 39 albums under his own name and numerous others where he had significant involvement. He was known for his prolific output, releasing hundreds of songs both under his own name and pseudonyms, as well as writing and producing songs for other artists. Prince's innovative music integrated a wide variety of styles, including funk, rock, R&B, new wave, soul, psychedelia, and pop.

Death

Prince died of an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57.

Legacy

Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He won eight Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Purple Rain. In 2004, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Prince's impact on music, fashion, and culture is profound, and his work continues to influence numerous artists across different genres. His estate manages his vast musical archives and continues to release previously unpublished material.