The musical genius died earlier today in his home at the age of 57. He was hospitalized last week after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing.
As a recording artist, Prince was legendary for his prolific and perfectionist nature which allowed him to release a steady slew of material as he experimented in the studio; as a result, unreleased b-sides and bootlegs have become highly sought-after collectibles for die-hard fans, and his infamous “vault” of recordings has become the stuff of legend. Yet he was also truly transcendent as a performer, regularly stretching his shows beyond the three-hour mark and showcasing his stunning guitar work, which became an underrated part of his legacy, often overshadowed by his iconic singing voice and abilities as a songwriter and bandleader.
Over his 35-plus-year career, he released 39 solo studio albums and never stopped releasing new material; since September 2014, he put out four new full-length records with his latest band, 3rd Eye Girl, continuously experimenting with psychedelic rock and intergalactic funk. His later years were also notable for his cameos and guests spots, popping up on songs with Janelle Monae and Gwen Stefani, handing out honors at awards shows where he often outshone the honoree, performing one of the greatest Super Bowl Halftime Shows of all time in 2007, and even appearing on an episode of Fox sitcom New Girl in 2014.
He would no doubt be missed.