Prince Rogers Nelson, known to the world simply as Prince, was a musical genius whose influence transcended generations. Known for his extraordinary talent, Prince played 27 different instruments on his debut album, “For You,” which he released at the young age of 20. His musical prowess and innovative approach made him a trailblazer in the music industry, a space where he was always 30 steps ahead of the curve.

On the fateful morning of April 21, 2016, Prince was found unresponsive in his Paisley Park home in Minnesota. Despite attempts at CPR, he was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m. The world was stunned by the news, losing not just a prolific artist but a cherished figure who had a profound love for Minnesota and its people. This sudden loss created a void in the music industry that has yet to be filled.

Prince’s legacy is marked by his fierce independence and his battles against the traditional music industry. He was outspoken about his disdain for the big record labels, which he believed exploited artists. In an interview, he highlighted the disparity in profits, pointing out that even if an artist sold millions of records, the financial rewards they received were minimal compared to the earnings of the record companies. This inequity led him to write “slave” on his cheek as a form of protest and eventually change his name to an unpronounceable symbol, distancing himself from the control of these labels.

His disputes with Warner Brothers Records were particularly notable. Prince fought for ownership of his music and the frequency of his recordings, a battle that culminated in him taking the drastic step of dropping his name. Despite the creative freedom Warner Brothers allowed him, the conflict over ownership and rights was a constant thorn in his side.

In the digital age, Prince’s struggle continued as the rise of the internet and music downloading further complicated the industry’s landscape. He lamented that artists no longer made the money they used to, as free downloads devalued their work. This change hit hard for those like Prince, who thrived during the golden age of album sales through physical copies. He criticized the compulsory license law that allowed record companies to cover artists’ songs without permission, a practice he felt undermined the originality and ownership of the artists.

Prince’s outspokenness extended to his views on the internet as well. He believed that the ease of accessing music for free led to a lack of appreciation for the art, and he was vocal about the financial injustices faced by artists in this new era. Despite these challenges, Prince remained committed to his craft, continuously reinventing himself and his music. His dedication to his art and his fans was unwavering, as he sought to deliver the purest form of his music to the world.

Cat Williams, a close friend and fan of Prince, remembered him as a high thinker and a guiding force. Prince’s ability to master multiple instruments and focus intently on each one was a testament to his multifaceted talent. He inspired Williams and many others by showing that it was possible to embrace one’s unique identity and succeed against all odds.

Prince’s influence extended beyond his music. He taught lessons of reinvention, self-esteem, and the importance of striving to become a better version of oneself. His legacy lives on, not just in his vast discography, but in the inspiration he provided to countless artists and fans around the world. As we remember Prince, we celebrate a man who was more than a musician; he was a symbol of creativity, independence, and resilience in the face of an ever-changing industry.