Celebrating Black History: Prince – Minnesota Music Legend
Remembering Prince, the Minnesota music legend who shaped the sound of the 80s and left an unforgettable mark on the world.
Chanhassen, Minnesota – Prince was a musical genius from Minnesota who left a mark on the world with his incredible talents. He was not just a singer, but also a songwriter, musician, and so much more. Over his nearly 40-year career, he sold over 100 million albums and won seven Grammys and an Oscar. He was the genius behind the “Minneapolis Sound,” a mix of different music styles that made the 1980s unforgettable.
Born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Prince was a self-taught musician. He learned to play the piano, guitar, bass, drums, and other instruments all by himself. Growing up in Minnesota, he was influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and soul music. Local musicians and neighbors introduced him to rock music, which played a big role in his unique sound.
Prince’s journey to fame began when he signed a major recording contract with Warner Brothers at just nineteen. His first albums, “For You” (1978) and “Prince” (1979), did well on the R&B charts. His early music showed off his talent and his unique style of doing everything himself – producing, arranging, composing, and performing.
In the early 1980s, Prince’s career took off with albums like “Dirty Mind” (1980), “Controversy” (1981), and “1999” (1982). These albums were key in defining the Minneapolis Sound. His music videos with his band, The Revolution, were a hit on MTV and set trends in fashion, dance, and music.
Despite not having a number-one hit, Prince had big dreams. He pitched the idea of a major movie to his label. They were hesitant at first, but eventually supported him. He spent a lot of 1983 and early 1984 working on the movie and soundtrack for “Purple Rain.” The film and soundtrack were huge hits, making Prince a cultural icon.
In the late 1980s, Prince continued to experiment with music and worked both solo and with other artists. He disbanded The Revolution and went back to his roots with the album “Sign o’ the Times.” He also had a number-one soundtrack for the movie “Batman.”
In the 1990s, Prince formed a new band, The New Power Generation. He started incorporating hip-hop and rap into his music. He fought against the music industry’s contracts by changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol and often appeared with the word “slave” on his face.
In the early 2000s, Prince focused more on the business side of music. He found innovative ways to distribute his albums and stayed successful with his tours. He was an early supporter of streaming music but had concerns about piracy. Eventually, he embraced technology and released albums online.
Prince continued to collaborate with artists and performed worldwide tours. He also held intimate performances at his Paisley Park compound in Chanhassen.
In high school, I actually worked as a session vocalist at Paisley Park and it was always so thrilling to be a part of the music scene at this incredible studio. Read more about my own journey here.
Tragically, Prince passed away at Paisley Park on April 21, 2016, from an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl. He was just fifty-seven years old.
