Tyka Nelsonthe Minneapolis singer and younger sister of music legend Prince, has died. She was 64 years old.
Nelson was considered the “Purple Rain” singer-songwriter’s only full brother. His son, President Nelson, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that his mother died on Monday but has not released any details. A representative for Prince’s estate did not immediately respond Tuesday to The Times’ request for comment; however, the estate confirmed the death at Variety. A cause has not been released.
“Tyka Evene Nelson 1960-2024,” it read on Monday job on his Facebook page. “It’s time 4, a new direction / It’s time 4 jazz 2 die / 4th day of November / We need a purple high”
His cousin Charles “Chazz” Smith also confirmed his death, writing on Facebook: “Our family is very saddened to share the news of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson, who passed away this morning.”
The music writer and performer released four albums between 1988 and 2011, according to the Star Tribune. She was due to retire after a farewell concert last June, but withdrew due to illness, the newspaper said.
“I really wasn’t a singer. I am a writer. I happen to be able to sing. I love singing,” she told the outlet at the time, adding that she was working on a memoir.
His brother Prince, a master of music that merges genres, died in 2016 After accidental fentanyl overdose. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame died at age 57 without a will, leading to one of largest and most complicated probate legal procedure in Minnesota history, as well as the infighting among its six siblings during the long legal battle on his multi-million dollar estate.
Tyka Nelson was identified early on as the “When Doves Cry” singer’s only sibling, sharing musicians John L. Nelson and Mattie Della Shaw as parents. Less than a month after her older brother’s death, she told the Carver County, Minnesota, district court that she believed Prince died without a spousesurviving children or parents and she did not know “of the existence of a will”.
The complicated case was ruler in August 2022, when a Minnesota judge approved an agreement to divide the estate between Prince Legacy LLC and Prince Oat Holdings LLC, companies created to represent the various siblings and heirs. Prince Legacy previously represented the interests of Prince’s half-siblings Sharon Nelson, John R. Nelson and Norrine Nelson. Meanwhile, Prince Oat Holdings was owned by music publishing company Primary Wave Music, which acquired the rights to Prince’s extensive song catalog when three heirs (Tyka Nelson, Omarr Baker and Alfred Jackson) sold their shares to him in August 2021.
In January, Prince Legacy executives filed a new lawsuit, alleging that four members of Prince’s family — half-sisters Sharon Nelson and Norrine Nelson, Prince’s niece Breanna Nelson and his nephew Allen Nelson — attempted to inappropriately oust the director of the company. Forbes reported.
Tyka Nelson is survived by her sons President and Sir, as well as her half-siblings Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson and Omarr Baker. His half-brother Alfred Jackson died in 2019, and John R. Nelson died in 2021.
