Legendary pop star Prince was found dead on Thursday, April 21 at his home and recording studio in Paisley Park, Minn. He was 57 years old.
Early Thursday morning, police were called to Prince's compound in Chanhassen, Minn., around 9:43 a.m. and confirmed someone died on the grounds. The news was later confirmed to the Associated Press by the pop star's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure. The Carver County Sheriff's Office had confirmed the death of the pop star but did not release any details regarding the nature of how he died.
"BREAKING: Publicist: Pop music superstar Prince has died at his home in suburban Minneapolis," the AP tweeted.
Last week, Prince's private plane made an unscheduled landing so that the musician could be rushed to the hospital. He was reportedly "fine" and just sick with the flu and eventually made it back home to Paisley Park.
Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958, and was the son of a jazz musician. He picked up the piano at the age of 7, started playing the guitar at 13 and the drums one year later. He signed to Warner Bros. Records when he was just a teenager and released his debut album, "For You," in 1978, where he played all the instruments, produced and wrote the entire album.
Prince's iconic career took off due to a successful and polarizing series of albums starting with his 1979 self-titled album, which was followed by "1999," "Purple Rain," "Around The World In A Day," "Sign O The Times" and "Batman." Over his vast career, the musician released 39 studio albums.
"Purple Rain," which was released in 1984, was Prince's first No. 1 album and was also the title of a rock musical film. The singer won an Oscar for the movie's original score, won seven Grammy Awards throughout his career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Numb. Stunned. This can't be real.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) April 21, 2016
RIP to @prince…a true artist in every sense of the word. Gone way too soon. — Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) April 21, 2016
Omg..... RIP Prince.... — Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) April 21, 2016
Prince was brilliant and larger than life. What a sad day. — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 21, 2016
Once, Prince yelled from the stage that I could dance. He was likely yelling to the girl behind me, but it's still my happiest moment. RIP. — olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) April 21, 2016
I'm Crushed!! UK news reporting Prince Is Dead?! For Real?! Massive Loss for us all! What a Genius! Speechless. — Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 21, 2016
So sad to hear about the loss of Prince today. #RIP #legend #purplerain pic.twitter.com/GwbL8R975M — Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) April 21, 2016
One of my biggest inspirations. A true icon. You will be missed. Sad sad news today... #RIPPrince
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) April 21, 2016
Dang it... Truly hate hearing we lost Prince. Sad day.. — Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) April 21, 2016
Unbelievable just heard about PRINCE. Strength and light to his family/loved ones. One of my favs and a true pioneering artist. RIP brotha.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 21, 2016