Legendary, ground-breaking pop star Prince has died aged just 57.
The news broke on TMZ today at close to 6pm UK time and has since been reported on a variety of media outlets.
Associated Press confirmed the news via Twitter, with a news story following that included publicist Yvette Noel-Schure stating that the music icon was found dead at his home on Thursday in Chanhassen, Minneapolis.
BREAKING: Publicist: Pop music superstar Prince has died at his home in suburban Minneapolis.
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 21, 2016
Perhaps more than any other of the '80s titans of pop, more even than Madonna, Prince demonstrated the ability to combine a cutting edge with commercial success. He shifted tens of millions of albums but was consistently revered by critics.
His run of albums from 1984’s Purple Rain to 1988’s Lovesexy – including 1987’s astonishing Sign o’ the Times – was an incredible creative triumph from one of the 20th century’s truly great artists.
Prince spent much of his career signed to Warner Music, who famously gave him plenty of time and space to develop his sound and build his career.
Relations with the label eventually, famously, soured, as Prince railed against what he considered the general injustices of the music industry.
He remained prolific, however, and released his 39th studio album, Hit n Run Phase Two exclusively on Tidal late last year.
Music Week will bring you more tributes to Prince as they appear over the coming hours and days.
