Celebrate the unbelievably unique life of the man we knew as Prince with these incredible facts on what would be his 63rd birthday: June 7, 2021.
There had never been – and will never be – another soul like Prince. The American singer-songwriter was a thousand things more than this title in his lifetime. As such, Outsider is celebrating his birthday, iconography, and legacy with these phenomenal Prince facts. So Let’s Go Crazy, folks.
Prince was Prince’s True Name
We’ve all heard it a hundred times: He’s “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince,” right?
Prince, however, was Prince. The icon was born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958. During his lifetime, he would become one of the most prolific songwriters, singers, musicians, record producers, actors, and directors born in the 20th century.
His First Record Deal Came at 19
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince’s first record deal came at the age of 19. Signing with Warner Bros. Records while still a teen, he would go one to achieve mass success with Dirty Mind in 1980, followed by 1981’s Controversy, and 1982’s 1999.
For his sixth album, Purple Rain (1984), Prince would enjoy six consecutive months at the top of Billboard’s 200 Chart. The album was a companion piece to his film masterpiece of the same name, and was recorded with his backup band, The Revolution.
For it’s soundtrack, Prince would win the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.
His ‘Logo’ Name Has a Name
Most Prince fans are surprised to find out, however, that this “unpronouncable” name actually has a name. It’s called “Love Symbol #2”. Prince had it copyrighted in 1997, with the whole affair over his name spawning from a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993.
The dispute was finally brought to an end at midnight on December 31, 1999. It was then that Prince announced he was reclaiming his given name, cites Rolling Stone.
From 2000 on, he would begin referring to himself by his birth name once more.
Prince Pioneered an Entire Subgenre of Music
Before the bulk of his prolific career, the icon gained notoriety by pioneering “The Minneapolis Sound” – named for his home state. It’s a fun rock subgenre the icon would perfect in the late 1970s.
“The Minneapolis Sound” would come to define Prince, though many are unaware of its existence. His sound was born from his wide variety of musical passions and influences, including: Funk, R&B, Rock, Latin, New Wave, Soul, Jazz, Synth-Pop, and Classical.
He Remains One of the Most Awarded Musicians of All Time
Combining all these, Prince would make music that sold over 150 million records worldwide. As such, he remains one of the best-selling artists of all time.
His work would win him the Grammy President’s Merit Award, in addition to the American Music Awards for both “Achievement” and “of Merit”. He would also win the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe in addition to his Grammys.
The icon is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (since 2004), in addition to the UK Music Hall of Fame (2006). The year of his death, 2016, would see him inducted into the Music Hall of Fame, too. All beyond well-deserved.
Happy Birthday to the one and only: Prince.
