Tyka Nelson, Beloved Sister of Prince, Passes Away at 64
Minneapolis musician Tyka Nelson, who was the only full sibling of the legendary Prince, sadly passed away on Monday at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. She was 64 years old. At this time, the cause of her death has not been disclosed, and her son, President Nelson, mentioned that the family does not anticipate knowing the details for a couple of days.
Born in 1960 to the talented jazz musician John L. Nelson and Mattie Della Shaw, Tyka entered the world just two years after her brother Prince. Throughout her life, she was a dedicated singer-songwriter, releasing a total of four albums. Her musical journey began with the release of Royal Blue in 1988, which featured her most prominent hits such as ‘Marc Anthony’s Tune’. This track achieved a remarkable 11-week run on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at an impressive No. 33. Another popular single from the same album, ‘L.O.V.E.’, also made waves, spending seven weeks on the chart and reaching No. 52.
Following her debut album, Tyka continued to create music with the release of Yellow Moon, Red Sky in 1992, A Brand New Me in 2008, and her final album, Hustler, in 2011. Reflecting on her unique relationship with her brother, she often remarked, “The funniest thing is people say, ‘How does it feel to be Prince’s sister?’ They don’t actually realize what they’re saying. I’ve been Prince’s sister ever since I got here on Earth.”
Tyka is survived by her two sons, President and Sir, along with five cherished grandchildren. In a heartfelt statement, President Nelson shared, “Born in 1960, the daughter of Mattie and John Nelson, she was best known as Prince’s sister and worked tirelessly to keep his legacy alive by engaging with his fans at various events.” He also mentioned that the family has decided to hold private services and requested, “In lieu of flowers, please take care of one another.”
According to reports from the Star Tribune, Tyka Nelson was slated to retire and had planned a farewell concert at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis this upcoming June. Unfortunately, she was unable to take the stage due to health issues. Just days before the concert, she expressed her excitement about an upcoming mixtape and shared that she was in the process of writing a memoir.
Prince, who tragically passed away from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016 at his home in Minneapolis, was just 57 years old at the time of his death. He left behind no will, which led to his six siblings inheriting equal shares of his estate.
