It is with heavy hearts that we, the family of Prince (born Prince Rogers Nelson), announce his passing at the age of 57 on April 21, 2016. Prince was a musical genius and a singularly innovative artist. Throughout his exemplary life he remained fiercely independent, fearlessly pursuing and often distancing himself from the mainstream for his entire career. Prince’s career spanned four decades as he released 39 studio albums, including groundbreaking albums Dirty Mind, 1999, Sign o' the Times and Purple Rain, which sold over 21 million copies in the United States alone. He sold over 100 million records worldwide, been a judge on American Idol, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Prince was a wildly prolific musician, known to record entire albums in one take in the studio, and touring relentlessly. He was unafraid to speak his mind and fight against oppressive systems, writing and releasing records like “Baltimore," which he dedicated to the people of the city, and "Sign O’ the Times," a commentary on the world’s state of affairs. Prince has left a legacy behind that will continue to live in his music, his memory and in the hears of millions of fans around the world. He will be forever missed, but never forgotten.