American musician Prince Nelson Rogers dies at 57.

Prince, the musician who helped define the latter half of the 20th century with his eclectic blend of funk and transgressive sexuality, died  Thursday at Paisley Park, his Minnesota property. He was 57.

Prince was hospitalized on April 15, reportedly suffering from the flu. He performed a concert at Paisley Park the next day and informed listeners to “wait a few days before you waste any prayers.”

News of his death was first reported by TMZ. It has since been confirmed by the Associated Press, via his publicist.

Born Prince Rogers Nelson, the artist (formerly and currently) known as Prince began his music career in the mid seventies in Minneapolis by playing guitar on an album for his cousin’s husband’s band, 94 East. He was signed to a management contract at the age of 17. His first album, For You, was released in 1978. He composed, wrote and played every instrument on every song but “Soft and Wet.”

His 1979 album Prince went platinum and achieved a No. 22 status on the Billboard Hot 200.