Prince doesn't release music.
Prince Rogers Nelson ( June 7 , 1958 -- April 21 , 2016 ) was an American singer-songwriter , actor , multi-instrumentalist , philanthropist , dancer and record producer . He won seven Grammy Awards , an American Music Award , a Golden Globe Award , and an Academy Award for the film Purple Rain . After releasing the albums Around the World in a Day ( 1985 ) and Parade ( 1986 ) , The Revolution disbanded , and Prince released the double album Sign o ' the Times ( 1987 ) as a solo artist .