Prince‘s surprise and completely devastating passing today sent shockwaves through the world of entertainment and beyond. A figure larger-than-life, Prince inspired people and culture far beyond his proclivities in music.
u could take the phrase “one of the greatest [x] ever” and replace x with anything that had to do with music and that was prince
— andy levy (@andylevy) April 21, 2016
I am so saddened to hear of Prince’s passing. Prince was a revolutionary artist, a wonderful musician and composer. 1/3
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) April 21, 2016
Prince was an original lyricist and a startling guitar player. His talent was limitless. 2/3
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) April 21, 2016
Prince was one of the most unique and exciting artists of the last 30 years. 3/3
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) April 21, 2016
I can’t believe it, I’m in total shock. So many wonderful memories,
I will miss him. #Prince— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) April 21, 2016
RIP to @prince…a true artist in every sense of the word. Gone way too soon.
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) April 21, 2016
I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor. https://t.co/67umQghtbi
— Spike Lee (@SpikeLee) April 21, 2016
I LOVED him, the world LOVED him. Now he’s at peace with his Father. Rest in power, @prince, my brother. pic.twitter.com/ZN6cc3WWuF
— Chaka Khan (@ChakaKhan) April 21, 2016
This is so heartbreaking?? I had this Prince pic drawn on my wall years ago because his music inspired so many R.I.P?? pic.twitter.com/60msa6hm3I
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) April 21, 2016
Prince, NOTHING COMPARES… #RIPPrince… https://t.co/KAserIRfgD pic.twitter.com/6qyF7VqNtV
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) April 21, 2016
Here’s to one of the strongest spirits the world has ever known ?? We will miss you forever, Prince. pic.twitter.com/vEGAd0HLxS
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) April 21, 2016
“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.“
Far out. It’s so sad, isn’t it?