The doves are now crying with the death of a purple icon.
The news of Prince’s death has crippled the globe, and waves of sympathy have flooded everyone’s feeds. 2016, can you please stop already! This monumental tragedy has die hard fans and younger generations grieving – even NASA posted about it – while remembering his Super Bowl performance in the pouring rain, sold out stadium shows, video game, movie appearances, classic albums and more.
Everybody knows and loves Prince. The compassion and empathy has been overwhelming, and we’ve complied a little list of people praising his purple majesty. President Obama let the people know that “today, the world lost a creative icon. Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lmq6RDn5O8
However it was Frank Ocean’s tribute that’s probably one of the most touching pieces of writing yet, as he grappled with gender, sexuality, identity and stereotypes in his most recent post. “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 catalogue 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 favourite 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,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NN3gsSf-Ys
With Disclosure announcing that the one person they ever wanted to work with is now lost, to Stevie Knicks from Fleetwood Mac saying “my friend is gone…This is what it sounds like, when doves cry. He was my dove.” Unknown Mortal Orchestra hit us with all in the pop culture feels, declaring that “Kanye congratulates himself for making it OK to wear tighter jeans. Prince had them in LACE.” Indeed, his fashion influence can be seen in the likes of Andre 3000, Lady GaGa, Pharrell, Janelle Monae and even Young Thug, blurring gender and embracing individuality.
Lenny Kravitz described him as “my musical brother… My friend… The one who showed me the possibilities within myself, changed everything, and kept his integrity until the end, is gone. I am heartbroken”. The Weeknd said “I can’t believe what’s happening right now. I just woke up but it feels like I’m dreaming.” Other support from Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, Alabama Shakes, Ariana Grande, HAIM, Miguel, Madonna, Chaka Khan and Missy Elliot is indicative of an artist who changed the world and how we view it.
Prince, we hope you’re laughing in the purple rain, riding in that little red corvette. R.I.P.
