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Prince Dead: President Barack Obama Mourns Musician Who 'Did It All'

"Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.”
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By 

Senior Editor, HuffPost UK

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Matt Sayles/AP

US President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Prince, hailing an "electrifying performer" who "did it all".

The musical icon's publicist confirmed the singer had passed away after his body was found at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota, early on Thursday morning.

Among the many tributes was as an impassioned ode from President Obama, who said the "world lost a creative icon".

He said in a statement: "Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent.

“As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.”

 

The President also remembered Prince by quoting the musician.

“‘A strong spirit transcends rules,’ Prince once said — and nobody’s spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band, and all who loved him.‎”

Last summer, the Obamas hosted a private concert at the White House for friends and family that included performances by Prince and Stevie Wonder.

Before You Go

Prince Style
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Introducing the world to his beautifully coiffured mane on the cover of his eponymous 1979 album (credit:Warner Bros.)
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Showing some leg during the Dirty Mind Tour on 22 March 1981. (credit:Ebet Roberts via Getty Images)
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(credit:Ebet Roberts via Getty Images)
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Deconstructing a tuxedo on 22 December 1981. (credit:Ebet Roberts via Getty Images)
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Proving that too much is never enough when it comes to ruffles on stage at Rosemont Horizon in Chicago on December 10 1984 during his Purple Rain tour. (credit:Richard E. Aaron via Getty Images)
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That knowing looking during the Purple Rain Tour on 13 September 1984. (credit:Richard E. Aaron via Getty Images)
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No one can do bold prints quite like Prince. (credit:Ebet Roberts via Getty Images)
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Prince rewrote the accessory rule book whem performing live at the Fabulous Forum on 19 February 1985 in Inglewood, California. (credit:Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)
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Just perfect. Prince and date attending a performance of 'Madame Butterfly' on 21 September 1988 at the Euguene O'Neill Theater in New York. (credit:Ron Galella via Getty Images)
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Leading the high waisted skinnies trend long before it was mainstream. On stage on his Lovesexy tour at Wembley Arena on 3 August 1988 in London. (credit:Peter Still via Getty Images)
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Polka dots fit for dancing on stage with Cat Glover at Feijenoord stadion on 17 August 1988 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (credit:Rob Verhorst via Getty Images)
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Effortless sex appeal at the Kuip in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on 19 July 1990. (credit:Frans Schellekens via Getty Images)
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Forgoing buttons during the Nude Tour in Wembley Arena, London on 1 January 1990. (credit:Mick Hutson via Getty Images)
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Eyeliner perfection performing in Denver on 30 September 1991. (credit:John Leyba via Getty Images)
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Never underdressed with lace gloves circa 1991 in New York City. (credit:L. Busacca via Getty Images)
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Colourblocking at the open air SCG show in Sydney, Australia, on 1 January 1992. (credit:Patrick Riviere via Getty Images)
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And again on stage at Ahoy on 6th July 1992 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (credit:Rob Verhorst via Getty Images)
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BReaking all the rules regarding men's necklines on stage at the Brabathallen in Breda, Holland, on 24 March 1995 during The Ultimate Live Experience Tour. (credit:Paul Bergen via Getty Images)
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Proving there is no limit to the ways chainmail can be worn at Radio City Music Hall on 24 March 1993 in New York. (credit:L. Busacca via Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Musician Prince performs onstage at Radio City Music Hall on March 24, 1993 in New York, New York. (Photo of Prince Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (credit:Al Pereira via Getty Images)
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Rocking a sheer catsuit almost two decades before Kylie Jenner. Performing at the San Jose State Event Center in San Jose, California on 19 April 1997. (credit:Tim Mosenfelder via Getty Images)
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The only man to pull off the curtains trend. On stage in Amsterdam on 1 August 1998 during the Newpower Soul Tour 1998. (credit:Michel Linssen via Getty Images)
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Dancing in heels at The Brit Awards at Earls Court on 15 February 2006 in London, England. (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Sharing his colourblocking secrets with Beyonce at the Grammys in 2004. (credit:Michael Caulfield Archive via Getty Images)
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Proving black doesn't have to be boring as he was inducted into the UK Music Hall Of Fame at Alexandra Palace, London, on 14 Nov 2006. (credit:Brian Rasic via Getty Images)
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Nailing festival chic while headlining the Hop Farm Festival on 3 July 3 2011 in Paddock Wood, United Kingdom. (credit:Neil Lupin via Getty Images)
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