Prince was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, and wide vocal range. Born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he showed an early interest in music and became a multi-instrumentalist by his teenage years. His debut album *For You* was released in 1978, but it was his 1984 album *Purple Rain*, which served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name, that catapulted him to international stardom. The album included hits such as "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy," and won Prince an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. Throughout his career, Prince pushed boundaries by blending genres like funk, rock, R&B, pop, and soul. He became known for producing and playing most or all instruments on his recordings. He was also a fierce advocate for artistic freedom, famously changing his name to a symbol in 1993 during a contract dispute with his record label, Warner Bros. Prince's prolific output included more than 30 studio albums and numerous hit singles. His innovative music and bold persona left an indelible mark on popular culture. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Prince died on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most influential and original artists in music history.