The New York Times described him as "a man bursting with music — a wildly prolific songwriter, a virtuoso on guitars, keyboards and drums and a master architect of funk, rock, R&B and pop, even as his music defied genres." Prince always defied any kind of labels. He made it a point to shatter stereotypes on race and sexuality throughout his career. In addition to his unparalleled musical talent, he was also a dynamic performer, dancer, producer, actor and style icon. He was still a teenager when he was signed to Warner Bros. Records, in an unusual deal that included full creative control. He played virtually every instrument on his early recordings. With the 1984 film and album “Purple Rain,” he told a fictionalized version of his own story. In those days, a film about a young musician--let alone an African American one-- was a hard sell. The low budget film was a surprise blockbuster. The music also won him an Academy Award and the album sold more than 13 million copies in the United States alone. Cause Magazine
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