In the early 1980s, Prince continued to rewrite the rulebook of the music industry with his innovative approach to music and performance. In 1980, he released the album “Dirty Mind,” which shocked audiences with its explicit lyrics and provocative themes. Despite initial controversy, the album was critically acclaimed and showcased Prince’s versatility as an artist.

The following year, Prince solidified his status as a global superstar with the release of “Controversy.” The album’s title track became a hit, addressing themes of race, sexuality, and spirituality. Prince’s androgynous style and boundary-pushing music videos captivated audiences and earned him a dedicated fan base.

In 1984, Prince reached the pinnacle of his career with the release of “Purple Rain,” both the album and the accompanying film. The album, featuring iconic tracks like “When Doves Cry” and the title track “Purple Rain,” topped the charts worldwide and earned Prince multiple Grammy Awards. The film, which showcased Prince’s electrifying performances and acting talent, solidified his status as a cultural icon.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Prince continued to release innovative albums and experiment with various musical genres, from funk and rock to pop and R&B. His prolific output and boundary-pushing creativity cemented his legacy as one of the greatest musicians of all time.

In addition to his musical contributions, Prince was also known for his activism and philanthropy. He supported various social causes, including LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and music education. His philanthropic efforts touched the lives of many and inspired future generations of artists and activists.

Tragically, Prince passed away on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence artists across the globe. His impact on music and popular culture is immeasurable, and his music will forever live on in the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.

According to Prince’s former manager Bob, Prince made an unusual demand for his management: to secure a deal for him to star in a major motion picture. Despite Prince’s limited exposure at the time, mainly comprising pop and R&B hits, music videos, and occasional TV performances, this bold move led to the creation of the hit film “Purple Rain” in 1984. Loosely autobiographical, the film starred Prince and was accompanied by the eponymous studio album serving as its soundtrack. “Purple Rain” became a massive success, selling over 13 million copies in the US and spending an impressive 24 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The film earned Prince an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and grossed over $68 million in the US.

Songs from the film such as “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” reached number one on pop charts globally, while the title track hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984. Prince achieved a remarkable feat, holding the number one album, single, and film simultaneously in the US, a first for any artist. “Purple Rain” holds a revered position, ranking eighth in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and making Time magazine’s All-Time 100 Albums list. The album also earned Prince two Grammy Awards at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1993.

Facing conflicts with Warner Bros. over the release of his extensive music catalog, Prince adopted the love symbol as his stage name, leading to his infamous monikers “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” or simply “The Artist.” Frustrated with Warner Bros.’ restrictions on his creative freedom and what he perceived as insufficient marketing for the Love Symbol album, Prince began releasing albums in quick succession to fulfill his contractual obligations. He also started appearing with the word “slave” written on his face as a protest.

This tumultuous period saw the official release of “The Black Album” seven years after its initial recording. Eventually, Warner Bros. yielded to Prince’s demands, releasing an album of new material titled “Come” in 1994. Rolling into 1996, “Chaos and Disorder” marked Prince’s last album of fresh material for Warner Bros., but unfortunately, it didn’t achieve commercial success.

Fast forward to May 16, 2000, Prince decided to ditch the love symbol as his name, mainly because his publishing contract with Warner Chappell had run its course. During a press conference, he made it clear that the name Prince had become associated with undesirable relationships, and now freed from those entanglements, he was ready to embrace his real name once again. However, the love symbol didn’t vanish completely; Prince still used it as a logo, adorned his album artwork with it, and shredded on a love symbol-shaped guitar.

Following “Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic,” Prince took a turn in his music distribution strategy. Instead of the traditional route, he dropped new tunes primarily through his internet subscription service, NPG Online Ltd., later rebranded as NPG Music Club.

Jumping to February 8, 2004, Prince shared the Grammy stage with Beyoncé, opening the show with a jaw-dropping medley featuring “Purple Rain,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Baby I’m a Star,” and Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love.” The accolades kept rolling in as Prince snagged a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the next month, with Alicia Keys, Big Boi, and Andre 3000 of OutKast presenting him with the well-deserved award.

On February 4, 2007, Prince took center stage at the Super Bowl XLI halftime show in Miami, Florida, performing on a colossal stage shaped like his iconic symbol. This gig reached a whopping 140 million television viewers, marking his largest audience ever.

Moving forward, Prince released his second-to-last album, “Hit n Run Phase One,” on September 7, 2015, initially on Tidal before a wider release on CD and download. “Hit n Run Phase Two” continued the journey and hit Tidal for streaming and download on December 12, 2015.

In February 2016, Prince kicked off the Piano and a Microphone Tour, a stripped-down showcase featuring just him and a custom piano. The tour made its way through the United States but faced an abrupt halt due to illness in April 2016.

Prince’s health struggles led him to consult with medical professionals, including Twin Cities Family Medicine specialist Michael T. Schulenberg. Despite postponing shows and battling influenza, Prince pushed through to perform his supposed final show on April 14, 2016, only to become unresponsive on a flight back to the Twin Cities the next morning. After an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois, Prince left against medical advice, seeking help. Tragically, it was too late. At 57, Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park and pronounced dead on April 21, 2016. The autopsy revealed an accidental overdose of fentanyl, and the music world mourned the loss of this iconic artist.

In 2016, Prince was posthumously inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. His legacy endures, with Prince being hailed as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. Rolling Stone placed him at number 27 on the list of 100 greatest artists, and he claimed the number 16 spot on the 2023 list of the 200 greatest singers of all time. As a performer, his flamboyant style and showmanship left an indelible mark, and his influence echoes in the work of artists like Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and many more. Prince’s achievements are truly remarkable, and one can’t help but wonder what more he could have accomplished if his life hadn’t been tragically cut short. As Prince often spoke about issues within the music industry and the struggles he faced, some entertain the idea that higher powers might have played a role in his demise, leading to conspiracy theories surrounding his death, including involvement from secret societies like the Illuminati.