NEW YORK (AP) – Prince's only compatriot, Minneapolis musician Tika Nelson, died Monday at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale, Minn., his son President Nelson confirmed to The Associated Press. She was 64 years old.
The cause of death was not immediately known, and President Nelson said it would not be known for “a few days.”
Born in 1960, two years after Prince, to jazz musician John L. Nelson and Matty Della Shaw, Nelson is a singer-songwriter who has released four albums throughout his career, beginning with 1988's Royal Blue. released two albums. This album became her biggest hit, with “Marc Anthony's Tune” staying on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for 11 weeks and peaking at No. 33, and “LOVE”. It stayed on the chart for 7 weeks and reached number 1. 52.
At the time, she told the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “This album is basically about a romantic relationship between a man and a woman. I can't find him, so I'm royal blue,” she said.
It is an alternative color to purple chosen by her brother. Regarding their relationship, she said: “The funniest thing is when people say, 'What's it like to be Prince's sister?'” They don't actually understand what they're saying. I have been Prince's sister ever since I came to Earth. ”
The Associated Press described her album Royal Blue as “mostly adult contemporary or easy listening” and “a far cry from Prince or the so-called Minneapolis Sound.” Her sound is mature and romantic, targeting people between the ages of 25 and 45. ”
This was followed by 1992's “Yellow Moon, Red Sky,” 2008's “A Brand New Me,” and finally 2011's “Hustlers.”
Nelson is survived by two sons, President and Lord, and five grandchildren.
President Nelson said in a statement: “Born in 1960, the daughter of Mattie Nelson and John Nelson, she is best known as Prince's sister and will continue to keep Prince's legacy alive through fan engagement at fan and industry events. I worked hard for it,” he said. “The service will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you look out for each other.”
According to the Star Tribune, Nelson was retiring and was scheduled to perform a farewell concert at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis in June. Due to illness, she did not appear on stage. A few days before the concert, she said she had a mixtape in the works and a memoir in the works.
Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at his home in Minneapolis in 2016. He was 57 years old. He had no will and six siblings, Tika Nelson and five half-siblings, Sharon Nelson, Norin Nelson, John R. Nelson, Omar Baker, and Alfred Jackson, had equal rights to the property. inherited.
The youngest member, Tyka Nelson, Baker, and Jackson sold their shares to a music publishing company called Primary Wave Music, LLC, which subsequently transferred their interests to its affiliate, Prince OAT Holdings LLC. Mr. Jackson has since died.
Representatives for Paisley Park, Prince's private estate, museum, studio and concert venue in Chanhassen, Minnesota, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
