2016 was a fiasco, we lost last year celebrities like Maurice White, Phife Dawg, David Bowie, George Martin, Glenn Frey, Alan Rickman, George Michael and so many others. We were devastated recently by Prince's death that shook us as much as in January with David Bowie's death.
Prince helped to form a new uncompromising, different and new vision through his music, much more than a cultural icon. His songs went beyond criticism which for sure gave him the title of one of the greatest singers of all time with one of the most outstanding and original voices, the owner of a contagious energy, and is important to mention that he was one great musician ahead of his time.
Prince has his place and importance in the music World, simple as that, even after death his place or importance will not be denied. Some musicians from Singapore, who always believed in the importance of Prince in their lives. Here you can read their tribute.
TIM DE COTTA (TAJ, L.A.B.)
His roots came from funk and soul and these rhythms blended with his spirit that was free and wild was the reason why the masses revere his songs. Many artists of this new generation bring with them the best traits of musical genre adopted by Prince and bring to the masses through custom traces of them. Prince's music was so peculiar and incomparable, and yet it was real and overwhelming that surely will be eternalized in the music we hear today and the songs you hear in the future. Its different and controversial personality changed and touched many lives, and even after his death remains to do it. Prince is a legend.
DEAN CHEW (Darker Than Wax)
An age of instant gratification and creativity becomes something entirely scarce Prince was the representative of a group of artists who no longer see as often. It's a shock.
VANESSA FERNANDEZ (Vandetta)
Hear that Prince, a legend of music passed away, definitely is a hard way to start the day. Know that someone who inspired millions of people through his music is a gift that brought joy to the masses, and now he is gone.
MOHAMED HANIS B ISHAK (Spacedays, pictured centre)
Back in Secondary Scholl, I've listened to Purple Rain and 1999, and honestly, my love for Prince came to grow pretty late on, because of all his song the only one that had my total appreciation at that time was "when Doves Cry".
But, Prince's fierce and exploration of love at the most, got me only in NS when my appreciation for him became intense because, from the moment I was feeling distant and isolated, his songs hit me during the nights I spent listening to him. Not only that, his funky songs got me.
It was a heavy hit knowing about his dead last night, and it was even heavier after Bowie's death. Prince was always ahead of his time, his thoughts, intelligence and strong personality. A genius. His music will always follow me as a friend and counselor.
DRU CHEN
Through Prince and also David Bowie, I could explore so many senses and self-expression around the music, and not only that but also sexuality, spirituality, astistry and my own sense of funk. My violin teacher along with him influenced my life directly and show me how to feel good about myself being uncompromising and different. I had the oportunity to meet and to work with Maya & Nandy McCleanand Dr Fink, his former band mates, and it was evident to see how Prince's influence affect them.
Prince is in my way to express myself and every note I play or even in my falsetto, as well as the deep rhythm of funk in my songs. Prince's death made me see life in a different way because it is more delicate than it seems. Do your best regardless of what you do is essential while you can do it.