Prince (musician)
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Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, dancer, and actor. Often credited as an influence on music and one of the greatest musicians of his era, he pioneered the Minneapolis sound and was influential in the evolution of various other genres of music. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 18, releasing his first album, For You, two years later. He went on to achieve critical success with his albums Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). In 1984, Prince became the first singer to simultaneously have a number-one film, album and single in the US, with the film Purple Rain, its soundtrack, and "When Doves Cry", which was the biggest hit single of the year. The album, recorded with his new backing band the Revolution, spent six consecutive months atop the United States Billboard 200 chart and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. After disbanding the Revolution, Prince released his first double LP in 1987, titled Sign o' the Times, widely lauded by critics as the greatest work of his career and one of the greatest records in music history. In 1993, in the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros., Prince changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol , known to fans as the "Love Symbol". After signing a contract with Arista Records in 1998, Prince reverted to his original name in 2000 and continued releasing albums, including the double Grammy Award winning Musicology (2004). He was a prolific musician who released 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased material. On April 21, 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died after accidentally overdosing on counterfeit hydrocodone/paracetamol pills laced with fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Prince has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards include the Grammy President's Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2024, and twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.