Who Prince Is to Someone Who Has No Idea Who He Is

I was dreaming when I wrote this — forgive me if it goes astray.

Prince has died, and I feel as though I join the rest of the world in feeling an overwhelming sense of numbness. Another one of our best has left us. In the face of a society that often forces people to identify with a certain “black-or-white” standard, Prince existed only in the grey area. One could argue, perhaps, that His Royal Badness passed away because this world — and its worship of the average — aged him too quickly.

Where my mother and father were members of the generation fortunate enough to listen to Prince’s originals for the first time upon their release, I was one who listened to his hits by extension. I often received constant reminders from my parents that all of my favorite artists — regardless of how original I thought they were — borrowed most of themselves from him.

Yet, now that I am old enough to more fully understand not only who, but also what Prince was, I realize that could not be any more true. His incredible contributions to society make my love and appreciation for him so much more. However, this is not about me.

Prince is the King because he told the truth when most were afraid to. Prince is all of us.

What do we think about when we think about Prince? Everything we wanted to be and could yet become. The man is described as a musical genius and social innovator by journalists, fans and close friends alike. Yet, where Prince gave us so much, he left us with even more to imagine. His true genius lied in his ability to keep everyone wondering: what, exactly, was this man who had an affinity for both the eccentric and erotic….going to do next?

It is more than unfortunate that Prince’s next move is not towards another album or world tour, but to the sky instead. His legacy, however, is not dead. It is now involved in a more direct process of evolution. Though Prince’s music will not be ‘new’ anymore, it will be available to a whole new generation of people like me who do not know him yet wish to. With this come second, third and fourth generations of Beautiful Ones who will lift his name in ways much different from their parents and grandparents.

Like Beethoven, The Beatles and, yes, Michael Jackson, Prince’s music will live on forever because of the power it possesses in the lessons it teaches. Plus, it’s just really good.

When we lose someone like Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson or Prince our world truly stops, as any hope of the continuation of ‘real’ music feels lost. Our pillars of music and culture have surrendered to time. And, selfishly, we want them back. If I could tell Prince one thing today, however, it would be this: Thank you.

Like our dreams and cherished loved ones, we must hold fast to the greats who used their talents to made our freedom possible. Prince is so important because he, unlike virtually any other artist of his lifetime, set the standard independent of anything but his own inspiration.

Rest in peace to you, Prince. The world will not allow the legacy of a true legend to die.