Tyka Nelson, Independent Musician and Sister of Prince, Passes at 64

Emerging from beneath her brother's formidable legacy, she created a career of her own, releasing four studio albums and achieving two R&B chart successes, before channeling her efforts into preserving her brother's legacy.

Tyka Nelson, once dubbed “the most famous unknown singer,” charted her own path in the music industry parallel to her iconic brother, Prince. She had a four-album career and later dedicated her efforts to honoring Prince's memory following his passing in 2016. She died on Monday in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, at the age of 64.

Her passing was confirmed by her son, President Nelson, who shared the news but did not specify the cause of death.

Born Tyka Evene Nelson on May 18, 1960, in Minneapolis, she was the only full sibling of Prince, the legendary musician. Their father, John L. Nelson, was a factory worker and performed as a jazz pianist under the stage name Prince Rogers, while their mother, Mattie (Shaw) Nelson, sang jazz.

Breaking into the Music Scene

By the time Tyka embarked on her own musical journey, Prince had already spent a decade reshaping pop music with his eclectic mix of funk, rock, and R&B. Her first album, 'Royal Blue,' released in 1988, offered an introspective collection of adult contemporary songs centered on themes of love and relationships. The Minneapolis Star Tribune drew parallels between her work and that of Anita Baker, Sade, and Laura Nyro.

Despite her unique sound, comparisons to her brother were inescapable. During a 2018 interview with Australian TV, Tyka shared her thoughts: 'I prayed one day, asking, “Please, God, why can’t I …” People often said I sounded like him, but it was never intentional.' She continued with a smile, 'If you're going to compare me to someone, it might as well be the best, right?'