Quick Facts
| Canonical Name | Prince |
| Born | June 7, 1958 |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States |
| Country | United States |
| Occupations | guitarist, composer, actor, film actor, singer, film director, singer-songwriter, screenwriter, record producer, film score composer, film producer, multi-instrumentalist, dancer |
| Instruments | guitar, acoustic bass, percussion instrument, Linn LM-1, piano, voice, musical keyboard, bass guitar, drum machine |
| Gender | male |
| Genres | pop rock, synth funk, contemporary R&B, funk, pop soul, dance-pop, Minneapolis sound, funk rock, soul, rock music, jazz, contemporary r&b, neo-psychedelia, pop, psychedelic soul, r&b, rock |
| Associated Acts | Prince and the Revolution, The NPG Orchestra |
| Active Years | Active since 1978 |
| Website | prince.com |
Identity and Aliases
Biography
Prince was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist whose career ran from 1978 to 2016. Born in Minneapolis, he became closely associated with Prince and the Revolution, while also working with The NPG Orchestra and a number of other group settings over the course of his career.
His music blended funk, synth funk, contemporary R&B, pop rock, soul, rock music, and jazz, with a sound often linked to Minneapolis sound. Alongside vocals, guitar, piano, bass guitar, percussion, and keyboards, Prince was also associated with drum machine work and the Linn LM-1, underscoring his hands-on approach in the studio and on stage.
Prince’s career also extended into film and other creative work, including acting, directing, screenwriting, producing, and film score composition. He died in 2016 at the age of 57.
Career Timeline
Musical Roles
Prince worked as a singer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, percussionist, and multi-instrumentalist, with voice and keyboard work central to his catalog. His credits also include record production and composition, reflecting a career shaped by both performance and studio control.
Bands and Projects
Releases and Appearances
MusicBrainz lists several release entries connected to Prince. These entries may include solo releases, guest appearances, live recordings, and catalogued metadata records.
MusicBrainz-listed Releases and Appearances
Recorded Performances & Appearances
MusicBrainz-listed recording entries connected to Prince include:
Musical Style and Instruments
Prince’s music drew from funk, synth funk, pop rock, contemporary R&B, soul, rock, jazz, and neo-psychedelia. His sound is also tied to Minneapolis sound, with a style that moved fluidly between groove-heavy rhythm work, pop songwriting, and electric guitar-driven arrangements.
Genres
Instruments
Collaborations and Guest Relationships
External Identifiers & Authority Control
Prince’s official website is prince.com. His wider profile is also linked with identifiers and listings across MusicBrainz, Discogs, Spotify, IMDb, VIAF, ISNI, the Library of Congress, and the GND.
Semantic Graph Data (Knowledge Graph)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Prince best known with?
A: He was best known for his work with Prince and the Revolution. He was also associated with The NPG Orchestra.
Q: Where was Prince born?
A: Prince was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
Q: What kind of music did Prince make?
A: His work spans funk, synth funk, contemporary R&B, pop rock, soul, rock, and jazz. He is also associated with Minneapolis sound.
Q: What instruments did Prince play?
A: Prince was associated with guitar, acoustic bass, percussion, piano, voice, musical keyboard, bass guitar, drum machine, and the Linn LM-1. He was widely known as a multi-instrumentalist.
Q: What were Prince’s years of activity?
A: His work period ran from 1978 to 2016.
Q: What was Prince’s full name?
A: Prince Rogers Nelson is one of the name variants associated with him. He was also known by many aliases, including the Artist Formerly Known as Prince and the Love Symbol.
Q: Did Prince work outside music?
A: Yes. He was also active as a film actor, film director, screenwriter, record producer, film score composer, film producer, dancer, and actor.
Q: What website is linked to Prince?
A: His official website is prince.com.