Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson died at 64 on Monday, November 4. This comes months after she had to cancel her final show due to sickness. The reason for death has yet to be revealed. From 1988 until 2011, the music writer and singer published four albums. She was supposed to retire after a final show in June, but she backed out due to sickness. Nelson’s last public performance took place in Australia in 2018.
Tyka Nelson’s Early Life
Tyka Nelson was born on May 18, 1960, in a family of musicians. Her dad, John L Nelson, was a jazz musician. Also, her mother, Mattie Della Shaw, was a jazz singer. The legendary singer, who had seven half-siblings, released four albums and claimed the 33rd spot on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July 1988 with ‘Marc Anthony’s Tune.’
Nelson later married Maurice Phillips and had six children. Nelson’s son, President Nelson, announced her death but did not provide any other details. Her cousin, Charles ‘Chazz’ Smith, also announced her death on his Facebook page. Nelson started her musical career early. Surprisingly, she wrote songs by the age of 10 and eventually mastered instruments such as the piano, guitar, bass, and clarinet.
Tyka Nelson had planned to organize a farewell concert at Dakota in June, during which she was hoping to perform a few of her songs. Unfortunately, she became unwell just before the event, which took place in her absence. Tyka Nelson had a successful music career, releasing four famous albums between 1988 and 2011.
Tyka’s Role in Releasing Prince’s Music
Tyka’s brother, Prince, a genre-fusing maestro of music, died in 2016 after an accidental fentanyl overdose. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at the age of 57 without a will, leading to one of Minnesota’s most lengthy and complex family court trials in history. His six brothers were at odds with one another during the protracted court battle for his multimillion-dollar inheritance. Ms. Nelson ultimately sold 98 percent of her stock to the music management business Primary Wave, but she kept her influence.
Tyka Nelson also helped to push through multiple posthumous releases from her explosively productive brother’s extensive backlog. It included boxed sets and “Welcome 2 America,” the so-called lost album he made in 2010. Besides her artistic abilities, Nelson suffered from personal issues, including substance misuse. With the help of her brother Prince, she sought recovery in the early 2000s and successfully resumed her singing career.
Summing Up
Tyka Nelson’s death is a major loss. Her life was full of music, skill, and dedication. She began her career as a young composer and eventually became a solo performer. Despite suffering personal challenges, she remained strong and continued to make music, often with help from her family. Tyka Nelson also worked hard to preserve and promote her brother Prince’s musical legacy. Her legacy will be carried on via her songs and memories.
