Tyka Nelson, the talented sister of music legend Prince, has died.
According to Deadline, Tyka, a significant figure in the music scene and closely related to Prince, has passed away at the age of 64.
Born on May 18, 1960, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tyka Nelson was the daughter of pianist John L. Nelson and jazz singer Mattie Shaw Nelson. Her family background was rich in musical talent, setting the stage for her and her brother's future careers.
As fate would have it, she emerged as a talented artist in her own right, with a recording career spanning several decades.
Her musical journey produced several albums, with the first released in 1988. Over the ensuing years, Tyka Nelson contributed to the music industry through sporadic performances, notably one in Minneapolis in 2008 and another in Australia in 2018. Despite decreasing musical activity in her later years, her influence continued to resonate with her audience.
Her most recent ambitions veered towards authorship, with efforts into memoir writing that were underway at the time of her passing. Nelson had stepped away from her music career, focusing instead on what one might assume to be a reflection of her life’s experiences and her time in the music industry.
Following the death of her brother, Prince, in 2016, Tyka Nelson found herself facing significant legal and familial responsibilities. She, along with five of Prince's half-siblings, was named a legal heir to his estate.
The estate, valued at over $150 million, underwent a complex division, with some shares going to Tyka's half-siblings and others to entities such as Primary Wave.
These developments occurred during a period when Nelson was in declining health, although specific details were not disclosed. Eventually, the public learned of Tyka Nelson's death through an announcement by her son, President Nelson, to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
"In my mother’s last months, she soldiered on, committed to her memoir, which will sadly remain unfinished," President Nelson said. "She was an extraordinary woman, whose life was as vivid and passionate as the music she made."
The family remains a cornerstone of Tyka Nelson's life, surviving through her two sons, President and Sir, as well as her siblings, Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson, and Omarr Baker. Moreover, the organizers had to convert a scheduled appearance earlier this year at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis into a tribute in her honor because she was unable to attend due to illness.
Ultimately, Tyka Nelson wove her musical legacy through personal trials, artistic expression, and a deep familial bond. Her departure marks the end of a personal era of artistic creativity tied closely to one of music’s most revered figures.
Her life and work continue to inspire many who look up to the Nelson family as emblematic of profound musical achievement and personal resilience.
