Miyah Powe
Senior, Bullis High School, Potomac, MD
Spring 2016
This Spring was raining purple as cities across the United States and around the world mourned the death of music legend Prince on April 21.. He was found in an elevator at his Paisley Park home. Prince’s death was later determined to be caused by an accidental opioid overdose. He was 57. Fans flocked to his Paisley Park home and studios in Minnesota after hearing of his passing.
Radio stations played marathon sessions of his songs, and public and privately owned buildings, sports stadiums, and national monuments lit up purple, the night of his death in tribute from the Superdome stadium in New Orleans to Niagara Falls to the Eiffel Tower in France to the cover of the New Yorker magazine tributes were dedicated to Prince.
Prince Rogers Nelson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1958. He was known for his eclectic musical style, vibrant personality, and colorful stage presence. He seemed to seamlessly integrate elements of blues, R&B, gospel, jazz, hip hop, and rock.
Sheila E, a longtime friend of Prince is one of many celebrities that have spoken out since Prince’s death to express what Prince meant to them.
Prince’s impact on the music industry, however goes beyond the actual music itself. The self-
taught musician was one the first artists of the modern era to pioneer the idea of musicians
controlling their musicmaking process and production of their music. He encouraged other artists to take the reigns of their own image and identity.
Though Prince had been active in the industry since 1976, his legacy and influence has had significant impact on younger contemporary musicians.
The 30 year-old artist Miguel has been compared to Prince by numerous fans and critics alike. His third album Wildheart is said to contain all of the characteristics of a typical Prince song.
Other artists whose sound has been compared are Justin Timberlake, Frank Ocean, The Weekend, Janelle Monae Bruno Mars, and Alicia Keys.