Prince found dead in studio at 57
Legendary pop star Prince has been found dead at his studio in Minnesota, days after his private jet was forced to make an emergency landing due to the singer’s ill health.
Minnesota police sparked speculation about the Purple Rain artist’s passing, tweeting that it was investigating a death at his Paisley Park estate.
The sheriff’s office later confirmed his death, saying the superstar was found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen.
First responders attempted to revive the artist through CPR, but he was pronounced dead at 10:07 am local time.
Official release on Prince death from Carver County. They tried to revive him with CPR. Pronounced dead 10:07 am pic.twitter.com/n3Tz49lyHQ
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) April 21, 2016
Police are investigating the circumstance surrounding his death, but foul play is not suspected.
Prince Rogers Nelson (57) found dead at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, MN. We are investigating the circumstances of his death. 802jk
— Carver County S.O. (@CarverSheriff) April 21, 2016
BREAKING: Publicist: Pop music superstar Prince has died at his home in suburban Minneapolis.
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 21, 2016
Hearing terrible news from a very inside source that Prince has passed.
— Zach Myers (@ZMyersOfficial) April 21, 2016
Prince rep: “It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died...”
— Access Hollywood (@accesshollywood) April 21, 2016
The 57 year old was hospitalized with flu in Illinois last Friday, after his plane made an unscheduled landing at Quad City International Airport. Prince had canceled two shows on April 7 in Atlanta prior to his treatment in Illinois.
Tributes have been pouring in across Twitter for the singer-songwriter - real name Prince Rogers Nelson - from well-known artists and musicians shocked at the sudden news.
Omg..... RIP Prince.... 😨😔😢
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) April 21, 2016
I'm Crushed!! UK news reporting Prince Is Dead?! For Real?! Massive Loss for us all! What a Genius! Speechless.
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 21, 2016
And just like that...the world lost a lot of magic ✨ Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much...
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) April 21, 2016
Oh my god I can’t believe that Prince has died…he was a great great talent…RIP
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) April 21, 2016
This is so heartbreaking💔 I had this Prince pic drawn on my wall years ago because his music inspired so many R.I.P😥 pic.twitter.com/60msa6hm3I
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) April 21, 2016
Prince was a genius, and one of the greatest guitar players to ever walk the planet. RIP pic.twitter.com/bdbaB0zbAw
— Matt Mira (@MattMira) April 21, 2016
I LOVED him, the world LOVED him. Now he's at peace with his Father. Rest in power, @prince, my brother. pic.twitter.com/ZN6cc3WWuF
— Chaka Khan (@ChakaKhan) April 21, 2016
Prince has reportedly died at 57 https://t.co/Z0RRHU0Ne3pic.twitter.com/6JB0cUcTtM
— billboard (@billboard) April 21, 2016
R.I.P PRINCE, another icon gone to soon
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 21, 2016
Prince was the first music me and Chad bonded over back in 1986. Thank you for your music, sir.
— Nick Hexum (@NickHexum) April 21, 2016
Today is the worst day ever. Prince R.I.P I am crying!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) April 21, 2016
What a sad day for music & style & culture & creativity. No words for this... RIP to an absolute legend.#Prince 😇🎸 pic.twitter.com/Ha3IVTOakJ
— Journeys (@journeys) April 21, 2016
Prince was brilliant and larger than life. What a sad day.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 21, 2016
PRINCE, sad to say, has passed on!!! He was a Giant. My deep condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) April 21, 2016
Shocked & heartbroken to hear news of death of dear friend, #Prince.Pray for his family&thank God for his legacy. pic.twitter.com/M5qCx9iXkj
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) April 21, 2016
Meanwhile, legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol held a moment's silence out of respect for the artist.
Lawmakers pause for moment of silence upon hearing of death of Prince #mnleg@tpt#tptAlmanac#Princepic.twitter.com/juoCPF5S9z
— Mary Lahammer (@mlahammer) April 21, 2016
What a day. Prince's legendary music will live on, but today is a huge loss for Minnesota. He was one of a kind.
— Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) April 21, 2016
100 million records
Born in the city of Minneapolis to musician parents in 1958, Prince would go on to become one of the biggest artists in the world, selling more than 100 million records globally.
His first album “For You” was released in 1978. Just three years later, the 21-year-old was being compared to musical greats like Elvis Presley, with the New York Times hailing him as one of the most controversial but exceptional artists to hit the music scene.
“... [Prince] is the most controversial contemporary rock star precisely because he challenges sexual and racial stereotypes,” the newspaper pronounced.
“And his music confounds racial categories by combining elements of white pop and rock with black dance rhythms.”
Minneapolis station https://t.co/HW0LedaI2D (@TheCurrent) is now streaming a deep Prince playlist, and therefore all your emotions.
— Russ Fischer (@russfischer) April 21, 2016
A hugely prolific artist, the 57-year-old was performing right up until his death.
Throughout his career, he produced an astonishing 37 studio albums, including the eponymously named Prince, 1999, Purple Rain, Sign O The Times, and Batman.
https://t.co/KM1aONgz6Dpic.twitter.com/EweYseXDex
— Prince (@prince) April 18, 2016
Known for his flamboyant style, the artist famously changed his name to “The Love Symbol” in a 1993 contract dispute with his record label Warner, and even took to writing the world “slave” on his face.
This resulted in the media moniker “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince”, although he later resumed his original title.