The Artist Formerly Known as Prince
The Artist Formerly Known as Prince: a musical icon who changed his name to a symbol and later returned to his original name.
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, dancer, actor, and filmmaker. Often credited as one of the greatest musicians of his generation, he pioneered the Minneapolis sound and was influential in the evolution of various other genres. With estimated sales exceeding 100 million records, Prince is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
- Subject
- Prince Rogers Nelson
- Era window
- 1993 – 2000 (name reverted to 'Prince')
- Primary location
- Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota
- Label context
- Warner Bros. Records (disputed); NPG Records (independent)
- Signature albums of the period
- The Gold Experience, Emancipation, Crystal Ball
- Status
- Deceased — April 21, 2016
Lore & Background
In 1993, in the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros., Prince changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol, known to fans as the 'Love Symbol'. Prince was often referred to as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince (TAFKAP), or simply the Artist. After signing a contract with Arista Records in 1999, Prince reverted to his original name in 2000 and continued releasing albums.
In Their Own Story
The studio lights at Paisley Park hummed their low amber glow past three in the morning. He sat behind a wall of keyboards, the symbol embroidered on his chest catching the light like a small, defiant star. The Warner Bros. rep had called again—third time this week. He let it ring. On the tape rolling, a new track was building: a bass line that groaned like a freight train, a vocal loop that spiraled upward into something almost liturgical. He didn't need a name on the box. He didn't need a name on the contract. He needed the next eight bars to feel like the truth he'd been chasing since he was sixteen and sneaking into Minneapolis clubs. He pressed record, closed his eyes, and let the symbol do the talking for him.
Reader's Guide
Prince released 39 albums during his life, while still having a vast array of unreleased material. His awards include the Grammy President's Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2024, and twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.
Did You Know?
- Prince was named after his father's stage name, Prince Rogers.
- He wrote his first song, 'Funk Machine', at age seven.
- Prince was trained in classical ballet at the Minnesota Dance Theatre.
- He died at his Paisley Park home in Chanhassen, Minnesota, from an accidental overdose of counterfeit hydrocodone/paracetamol pills laced with fentanyl.
More in Eras & Legacy
Elsewhere in the Prince Musician universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record