RIP - PRINCE | The Iconic Musical Legend

Prince died earlier today (April 21) at age 57 at his Paisley Park home and studio, his publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. TMZ first reported the news.

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Prince was hospitalized last week after his plane for was forced to make an emergency landing in Moline, Ill. Released a few hours later, a rep told TMZ that he had been battling a bad case of the flu.

"Today, the world lost a creative icon," U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement.

"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.

"'A strong spirit transcends rules,' Prince once said — and nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative."

Fans of Prince gathered Thursday afternoon outside the downtown Minneapolis nightclub where much of the movie Purple Rain was filmed.

About 50 to 60 people were standing on the sidewalk outside First Avenue to mourn the death of the musician, who died hours earlier. Prince received an Academy Award in 1985 for his music from Purple Rain, the movie in which he starred as a young musician.

During his marriage to Torontonian Manuela Testolini, he briefly lived in the city and occasionally popped up around town, the avid basketball fan seen at Raptors games or picking up a DJ'ing gig in a local nightclub. The couple divorced in 2006. (He was previously married to backup dancer Mayte Garcia.)

The above video is Prince performing in Toronto. The legend who was the only man who could rival Michael Jackson in the 1980's will surely be missed.

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