I was relaxing at a table in my study hall on Thursday April 21st, 2016 when I first saw the tragic news that the beloved singer Prince had passed away just hours before. Immediately, I was rendered speechless. I couldn’t believe it. Was this really true? Was he actually gone? My grandmother was a fan of Prince, so I grew up surrounded by some of his hits like "Kiss" and "When Doves Cry." Hearing that an icon had passed was heartbreaking, especially in a year in which it seems trailblazers are being taken from us too soon and too young.
Recently, we've seen the deaths of icons such as Glenn Frey (The Eagles), Frank Sinatra Jr., and David Bowie. Going back a few years, the deaths of idols such as Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, and B.B. King have made headlines. Each of these individuals had amazing careers that revolutionized music. Their impacts were not only present during the time of their careers, but are still being felt today and will continue to be felt as music evolves in the future.
It was after having my heart ripped out by this article that I decided to listen to one of my favorite Prince songs, "Sometimes It Snows In April." Jamming to the classic, I decided to check Twitter and Facebook briefly to see what people were saying. Both social media outlets were being flooded with posts dedicated to Prince's passing. It was in this moment that I noticed something that deeply depressed me: it took his passing for people to desire to remember his amazing legacy.
Within only a few hours of his death, Prince was dominating many charts on iTunes. His albums and songs soared to the top, many remaining there at this moment. His music began to play through the radios and earphones of thousands of people across the world, and rightfully so, I may add. Prince's music had a raw emotion and groove to it that had never been seen before. He was an expert at his craft, and each album and song he released proved that no one could do it like Prince could. He deserves every download he receives in the coming weeks and beyond. It is just thrilling that his legacy will live on even after his passing.
Music is an ever-evolving industry. Each year dozens of new singers and bands emerge, and hundreds of songs make their way into our lives. Because of this, it is harder to balance the classics with the up-and-coming hits of today. Yet now, in a time in which legends are being taken from us at a rapid pace, more than ever it is encouraged to take a day to throw back. Listen to the songs that you or even your parents grew up on. Even if it's just for a few songs, stop and remember the legends of yesterday that helped pave the way for today's sound. You never know when they might be gone. Maybe take the next couple of days to get more acquainted the eclectic discography that Prince developed over his career. You never know––you may just find your new favorite song.
My heart goes out to Prince's family in this time of great sadness. I wish them nothing but respect and love. I'll include a link at the bottom to my favorite Prince song, and I encourage you to listen.
RIP Prince 1958-2016
