Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson, was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose genre-defying sound blended funk, rock, pop, and R&B. Known for hits like "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry," Prince's groundbreaking albums and electrifying performances cemented his legacy in music history.
In 1993 he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol (a blend of the male and female symbols) as a protest against his Warner Bros. contract—prompting the media label "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince"