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Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake & More React to Prince’s Death

Prince was found dead earlier today (April 21) at age 57 in his Minnesota home and studio, his publicist confirmed to the Associated Press.

Prince
Prince performs live at the Fabulous Forum on Feb. 19, 1985 in Inglewood, Calif. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Prince was found dead earlier today (April 21) at age 57 in his Minnesota home and studio, his publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. Prince was hospitalized April 15 for the flu after an emergency plane landing, a rep explained to TMZ. Prince had canceled two shows on April 7, presumably because of his health, but attempted to fly to Atlanta to perform.

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                   Prince Dies at 57: Iconic Musical Genius Found Dead in Paisley Park 

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In the wake of his sudden passing, fellow musicians and celebritis have taken to Twitter to express their grief over the passing of a legend. 

 

an artist who showed true creative freedom and challenged all barriers. there are a million things to say. rip, beautiful.

A photo posted by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on

 

He Changed The World!! A True Visionary. What a loss. I’m Devastated.– This is Not A Love Song.

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on

“Prince was a modern genius. I had the great honor of working on his behalf when he decided to release ‘Musicology’. There are countless days and nights spent with him discussing music, the industry and life in general. I had the opportunity to tour the US with him in 2004/2005 and 20 nights at the ’02 Arena in London. Everyone was at their best working with him. He loved music and he loved God. The doves are crying…There are few people that leave a permanent mark in culture or life. I will never forget the day I met him after coming up a secret elevator after hours at 9pm at Sony Music. He played me ‘Call My Name’. I promised him a Grammy that night. He won it. I can remember so many of his words and moments. He made everything count and matter. He was truly intentional with everything he did and said. Rest in peace my teacher…”  – Lisa Ellis, former executive vp of Sony Music

 

Sad Day. Great Man. #speechless

A photo posted by Jidenna (@jidenna) on

“I never spoke with Prince. He always struck me as a private guy. Maybe he was shy around strangers. We never had much actual interaction – a couple nods in passing, but no real words were exchanged.

The Twin Cities of the 1980s was a very special time for all of us local musicians. There were the North Minneapolis R&B artists, the South Minneapolis guitar rock bands, and in the center of it all was First Avenue/7th Street Entry.

I’ve seen Prince perform sold out shows with The Revolution at First Ave, he and a rhythm section jamming as a guitar/bass/drums three piece in the Entry for 30 people, and was selfishly frustrated when he took over “the main room” for 25 days of filming Purple Rain.

I had the pleasure of spending seven days recording the basic tracks for my first solo album at Paisley Park in December 1988. It was the most professional studio I had ever seen at that point in my life. On the seventh day, I moved from the B room to Studio A, which was Prince’s primary room. I remember seeing Sheila E’s percussion in one of the isolation booths. The large control room was decorated with several of Prince’s scarves. It certainly felt like Prince’s home.

Prince was an artist through and through – always pushing himself to new levels, often creating controversy through his actions and words, and ultimately creating a lifetime of wonderful memories for the world with his incredible volumes of published (and unheard) works.

I heard the news while driving from Tomah WI to Minneapolis. I immediately flipped on The Current 89.3 FM to make sure what I was hearing was true. Sure enough, there was a live report from outside Paisley Park confirming the sad news of Prince’s passing.

I’m two blocks from First Avenue as I write these words. Friday and Saturday nights, I will walk that same stage we all know from the movie. The exterior walls of First Avenue are covered with stars to honor the musicians who made an impact on music fans in Minnesota.

Make no mistake: Prince was the brightest star in these Northern skies. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow musicians. Prince’s music will give consolation and comfort to the collective grief. Godspeed.” – Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü

“I am deeply saddened by Prince’s untimely passing. Not only was he a dear friend to me, but an inspiration. His talent, artistry and influence are unparalleled and there will never be another like Prince! The world has suffered a great loss! May he rest in everlasting peace.” – Patti LaBelle

“Renegade. He knew all the rules and broke them like a child at play. A true master, he stands alone in time with the rest of the greats. I’m not sure what to say, they don’t make them like that anymore.” – Bilal

“I’M NOT EVEN GONNA SAY REST IN PEACE BECAUSE IT’S BIGGER THAN DEATH. I NEVER MET THE MAN (I WAS TOO NERVOUS THE ONE TIME I SAW HIM) AND I NEVER SAW HIM PLAY LIVE, REGRETTABLY. I ONLY KNOW THE LEGENDS I’VE HEARD FROM FOLKS AND WHAT I’VE HEARD AND SEEN FROM HIS DEEP CATALOG OF PROPELLANT, FEARLESS, VIRTUOSIC WORK. MY ASSESSMENT IS THAT HE LEARNED EARLY ON HOW LITTLE VALUE TO ASSIGN TO SOMEONE ELSE’S OPINION OF YOU.. AN INFECTIOUS SENTIMENT THAT SEEMED SOAKED INTO HIS CLOTHES, HIS HAIR, HIS WALK, HIS GUITAR AND HIS PRIMAL SCREAM. HE WROTE MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME, ‘WHEN YOU WERE MINE’. IT’S A SIMPLE SONG WITH A SIMPLE MELODY THAT MAKES YOU WISH YOU THOUGHT OF IT FIRST, EVEN THOUGH YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE – A FLIRTATIOUS BRAND OF GENIUS THAT FEELS APPROACHABLE.  HE WAS A STRAIGHT BLACK MAN WHO PLAYED HIS FIRST TELEVISED SET IN BIKINI BOTTOMS AND KNEE HIGH HEELED BOOTS, EPIC. HE MADE ME FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH HOW I IDENTIFY SEXUALLY SIMPLY BY HIS DISPLAY OF FREEDOM FROM AND IRREVERENCE FOR OBVIOUSLY ARCHAIC IDEAS LIKE GENDER CONFORMITY ETC. HE MOVED ME TO BE MORE DARING AND INTUITIVE WITH MY OWN WORK BY HIS DEMONSTRATION – HIS DENIAL OF THE PREVAILING MODEL…HIS FIGHT FOR HIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – ‘SLAVE’ WRITTEN ACROSS THE FOREHEAD, NAME CHANGED TO A SYMBOL… AN ALL OUT REBELLION AGAINST EXPLOITATION. A VANGUARD AND GENIUS BY EVERY METRIC I KNOW OF WHO AFFECTED MANY IN A WAY THAT WILL OUTRUN OBLIVION FOR A LONG WHILE. I’M PROUD TO BE A PRINCE FAN(STAN) FOR LIFE.” – Frank Ocean 

A legend lost way too soon. #RIPPrince

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“I am so saddened to hear of Prince’s passing. Prince was a revolutionary artist, a wonderful musician and composer. He was an original lyricist and a startling guitar player. His talent was limitless. He was one of the most unique and exciting artists of the last 30 years.” – Mick Jagger

“I will miss a good friend who was so talented. He was such a great performer / guitar player. Sleep well Prince.” – Ronnie Wood

“The world has lost a great person. Not just the world of music but the world of man. It is a personal time of sadness for he was a close and dear friend. We stand with his family and fans alike in mourning this loss. ” – George Clinton

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