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Prince’s younger sister Tyka Nelson died astatine the property of 64, his property confirmed to E! News.
By Rachel McRady Nov 05, 2024 4:56 PMTags
In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2024
Prince’s household is mourning a large loss.
The precocious singer’s sister Tyka Nelson, who was a instrumentalist successful her ain right, died Nov. 4, a rep for the Prince property confirmed to E! News. She was 64.
“We are incredibly saddened to perceive astir the passing of Tyka Nelson," Primary Wave shared successful a connection connected Nov. 5, offering condolences to her sons President Nelson and Sir Nelson. "She was good known arsenic a talented vocalist and songwriter and Prince’s sister, supporting him and moving to support his bequest live for years. Our thoughts are with President, Sir and her full household during this hard time.”
Tyka's lad President first confirmed the quality to The Minnesota Star Tribune. The outlet noted that beyond sharing the quality of Tyka’s death, President declined to connection much details.
Tyka was calved to jazz musician John L. Nelson and singer Mattie Della Shaw in 1960. She spent the bulk of her beingness successful Minneapolis, Minnesota, not acold from wherever Prince's Paisley Park property and depository is located.
While the philharmonic occurrence of her older brother Prince (born Prince Rogers Nelson) loomed large, she was besides a palmy musician, releasing four albums passim her life. Most notably, she recovered occurrence with her 1988 way “Marc Anthony’s Tune.” However, successful caller years, she stepped backmost from performing, with her past concert taking place successful 2018 successful Australia.
“She had her ain mind,” her sister Sharon Nelson, told the Tribune. “She’s successful a amended place.”
Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
In her acceptance speech, Tyka praised her precocious brother’s publication to music.
“Prince defied the odds, a Black teen from Minneapolis with a extremity to electrify the world,” she recalled. “He had the courageousness to beryllium different. With his imaginativeness and God-given talent, helium is inactive 1 of the world’s astir respected and loved artists.”
Tyka is besides survived her sister Norrine Nelson and brother Omarr Baker.
Over the years, she shared penetration into her enslaved with her member Prince. Following the “Purple Rain” singer’s death in 2016 astatine 57, Tyka famously accepted his American Music Award trophy for Favorite Soundtrack, calling him “our fantastic friend, teacher and brother.
Tyka got emotional during her acceptance, declaring, “Until we spot you again, this is for you.”
She besides shared penetration into what Prince hoped his bequest would be. “But what helium told maine was that helium wanted to beryllium known arsenic the world’s astir prolific songwriter,” she noted. “And with 984 titles to his credit, and counting, helium has done conscionable that. In the words of Prince, ‘With love, honor, and respect for each surviving happening successful the universe, separation ceases and we each go 1 being singing 1 song.’”
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