The prolific artist, whose real name was Prince Rogers Nelson, was found dead on Thursday, April 21 at his Paisley Park estate and studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota – just days after performing before thousands of fans at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on April 14.
“It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57,” the star’s rep said in a statement to NBC News.
“There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time.”
TMZ are reporting the award-winning musician was treated for a drug overdose six days before his death.
Over the weekend, Prince’s private plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois, where he was rushed to hospital complaining of flu-like symptoms.
However insiders speaking to TMZ alleged something more sinister was at play and he was in fact being treated for an overdose. Sources tell the site once he arrived at hospital, he was given a “save shot” to help fight an opiate overdose.
According to the shock report, Prince left the hospital just three hours later as there were no private rooms available.
“[Prince] was not doing well,” a source observed to TMZ of his deteriorating health following his short hospital stay.
The star’s rep is yet to address these latest claims.
“I loved this Man. Too soon. Can’t comprehend it but it’s unfortunately true. Heaven is yours. RIP,” Hip-hop recording artist, M.C. Hammer said of the musical icon.
Details of the cause of death are yet to be confirmed, but reports claim that the star was found unresponsive in the elevator of his mansion.
Paramedics arrived on the scene but couldn’t revive him. He was pronounced dead at 10:07am.
In a call to 911, a person can be heard saying: “Male down, not breathing.”
Earlier in the week, Prince had told fans that he was doing fine: “Wait a few days before you waste any prayers,” he said.
Tributes are already flowing for the revered Purple Rain hitmaker, with Madonna leading the charge.
“He changed the world!! A true visionary. What a loss. I’m devastated,” Madonna penned via Instagram, alongside a photo with Prince.
“He changed the world!!” Madonna, 57, penned.
Prince’s ex-wife, Mayte Garcia has also spoken out to People Magazine following the tragic news.
“I can’t even think of the words of what I’m feeling. This man was my everything, we had a family. I am beyond deeply saddened and devastated,” the former-belly dancer mused.
“I loved him then, I love him now and will love him eternally. He’s with our son now.”
Marcia was, of course, referring to the pair’s late son, Prince’s only child, Boy Gregory.
The dancer, then-22, fell pregnant shortly after their marriage on Valentine’s Day in 1996, but Boy tragically died just a week after birth due to Pfeiffer syndrome, a rare defect of the skull.
That loss, followed closely by a miscarriage not long afterwards, tore the famed couple apart.
“I believe a child dying between a couple either makes you stronger or it doesn’t. For me, it was very, very hard to move forward and for us as a couple I think it probably broke us,” Mayte said of their relationship in June 2015.
President Barack Obama too shared his thoughts in a statement on Facebook. “Today, the world lost a creative icon. Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince,” he said.
Adding: “Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.”
A look back at Prince’s life. Post continues after the video…
Also paying his respects to the legend, Justin Timberlake took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to his idol, who he says influenced every single one of his hit tracks.
“It was Raspberry Beret. I was 4 years old. Yes, 4. I remember that I instantly loved it,” he said of the first time he heard the artist’s music.
“I’m still in shock as I write this and I feel this overwhelming grief. But, we should all turn away from that and HONOR this musician that changed all of our lives, our perspectives, our feeling, our whole being.”
“It would be silly to say that he has inspired our music… It’s beyond that. He’s somewhere within every song I’ve ever written. I am sad, but I will smile when I think of every second that I had the fortune of being in his company. We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die. Prince, NOTHING COMPARES…”
Prince won seven Grammy Awards throughout his career.
The singer was born in 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
His father was a pianist in a local jazz band which sparked an interest in music from a young age, even writing his first song at age seven.
The star released his debut album For You in 1978, but it was his 1979 album Prince that shot to incredible heights, going platinum due to the success of the singles Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? and I Wanna Be Your Lover.
In his incredible career, Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.
He won a total of seven, well-deserved Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award for for best original song score in the film, Purple Rain.
A the music loses the legend that is Prince, our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
Prince pictured at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015.
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