Who is Prince American Singer?
Prince was a great American singer, songwriter, record producer and filmmaker. He has sold millions of albums all around the world. He was one of the bestselling music artists of all times.
Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson on 7th June, 1958. His father, John Nelson was a musician with the stage name of Prince Rogers. His mother, Mattie Shaw, was a Jazz singer. Prince started playing the piano at the age of seven. He even learned to play the guitar and drums by himself.
Warner Bros
During 1978, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records. His debut album For You’ was released in 1978. The following year, his self-titled album was released. The hit singles from this album are “I Wanaa Be Your Lover” and ‘Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad” His 1981 album was ‘Controversy’. Prince gained international recognition with his 1982 album titled ‘1999’. Its songs ‘Little Red Corvette’ and Delirious’ became Top 10 hits.
Prince released his 1984 album, ‘Purple Rain’ with his band Revolution. It was also the soundtrack for a movie with the same name. It won the Academy Award in the Category of ‘Best Original Song Score’. The title track of this album was number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Moreover its songs, “When Doves Cry’ and “Let’s Go Crazy”, reached number one. Princes around the World in a Day’ was released in 1985. It contained the songs ‘Raspberry Beret’ and ‘Pop Life”, which featured in top 10 lists. His 1986 single “Kiss” became the number one pop/R&B song.
During Period 1987- 1989
The album ‘Parade’ was the soundtrack to his film Under the Cherry Moon, in which he acted and directed. The title track of his 1987 album ‘Sign’ ‘O’ the times’ reached number three on pop charts and number one on R&B charts. In 1989, Prince gave the soundtrack for the movie Batman. The Song ‘Partyman’ was in the top 5 R&B hits, while ‘Batdance’ was number one on the top 100 charts.
During 1990s- 2000
Prince launched his backing band, the New Power Generation, in the 1990s. They gave the soundtrack to the movie Graffiti Bridge. The song ‘Thieves in the Temple” was placed in the top 10 tracks. The 1991 album,’ Diamonds and Pearls’ ranked number three on the Billboard 200 chart and was a major success.
Prince singed a $100 million record deal with Warner Bros. in 1992. It was considered ‘The largest recordings and music publishing contract in history’ at the time. Prince released ‘Love Symbol Album’ in 1992 with the name to a symbol that was a mixture of the male and female symbols. This symbol was also referred to as the love symbol. He used this name until the year 2000.
Prince’s 1995 album ‘The Gold Experience’ contained the Top 5 song ‘The Most Beautiful Girl in the World’. In 1996, his album ‘Emancipation’ was certified platinum. Other albums by Prince include, ‘Crystal Ball’, Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic.
Achievements of Prince
Prince performed with Beyoncé Knowles at the Grammy Awards, in 2004, after years of relative absence from the spotlight. He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the year.
In 2004, his album ‘Musicology’ was also released. It won a Grammy Award. In 2006, he released the album ‘3121’. He also wrote and sang ‘Song of the Heart’ for the animated movie Happy Feet that year. It won him a Golden Globe in the category of ‘Best Original Song’.
Prince was awarded the Academy Award for ‘Purple Rain’ in the category of ‘Best original score in 1985. He has won eight Grammy Awards including’ Best Traditional R&B performance’ for ‘Musicology’. His album ‘Sign ‘O’ the Times’ was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017.
Personal Life of Prince and Passing Away
Prince married Mayte Garcia in 1996. Their child was born with genetic complications and lived for a week. They got a divorce in 2000. Prince married Manuela Testolini in 2001, they too separated in 2006.
On April 21, 2016, Prince was found dead in his home at Paisley Park. He was 57 years old. In October, Princes, home art Paisley Park was officially converted into a museum. His first posthumous song was “Moonbeam Levels’. The development of a documentary based on his life began soon after. It is titled Prince: R U Listening.