Singer Tyka Nelson, Prince’s only full sibling, dies at 64

Tyka Nelson, singer and Prince’s only full sibling, has passed away at 64.

Tyka Nelson, a Minneapolis-based singer and the only full sibling of music icon Prince, passed away on Monday at the age of 64. Known for her soulful voice and songwriting, Nelson released four albums between 1988 and 2011.

Although she had planned a retirement concert in June, her illness prevented her attendance. Nelson, who described herself as “a writer who happens to sing,” was also working on a memoir. A dedicated supporter of her brother’s legacy, she was frequently involved in Prince-related events, with her last public performance in Australia in 2018.

Nelson’s death leaves behind her two sons, President and Sir, as well as her siblings Sharon, Norrine, and Omarr Baker. She was one of Prince’s six legal heirs following his 2016 death, and she sold her estate interests to Primary Wave Music, which continues to preserve Prince’s legacy. In a statement,

Primary Wave expressed sadness, honoring her contributions to her brother’s legacy and her own career.