Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson)

1958-2016 · Contribution: 1978-2016

Musician

Pioneered the genre-blending “Minneapolis sound” fusing funk, rock, R&B, and new wave, and in 1984 became the first artist to simultaneously hold the number-one film, album, and single in the United States with Purple Rain, a feat that also earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score

Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech: collage image
Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech

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Quick facts

Born
1958
Active since
1978
Category
Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech
Best known for
"Purple Rain"The "Minneapolis sound"Self-played multi-instrumentalist

Impact on the world

Prince fused genres and mastered every instrument himself, building a career on total artistic control rare among pop superstars. He also famously battled his label for ownership of his work.

An alternative history

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Sources

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