CAVERY COUNTY, Minn. -- Prince Rogers Nelson, the artist known as Prince, who pioneered "the Minneapolis sound" and took on the music industry in his fight for creative freedom, has died, according to a family member reached by CNN.
He was 57.
The family member asked not to be identified.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Prince performs during the "Pepsi Halftime Show" at Super Bowl XLI between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Last week, Prince was released from the hospital after his plane made an emergency landing in Illinois early Friday, TMZ reported.
Prince had been battling the flu for several weeks, even cancelling two shows in Atlanta last week, his rep told the site. Those shows were pushed to Thursday, and, although still not feeling well, he performed anyway for a packed Fox Theatre crowd.
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 16: Prince performs as Samsung Galaxy presents Prince and A Tribe Called Quest at SXSW on March 16, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Samsung)
After boarding his private plane to fly home, the pop singer’s condition worsened, and the pilot made an unscheduled stop around 1 a.m. at Quad City International Airport in Moline.
After receiving treatment, Prince was back on the plane three hours later.
MIAMI - FEBRUARY 01: Musician Prince performs during the Super Bowl XLI Half-Time Press Conference at the Miami Convention Center on February 1, 2007 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Prince has won seven Grammy Awards, and has earned 30 nominations.
Five of his singles have topped the charts and 14 other songs hit the Top 10. He won an Oscar for the original song score to the classic film "Purple Rain."
The singer's predilection for lavishly kinky story-songs earned him the nickname, His Royal Badness. He is also known as the "Purple One" because of his colorful fashions.
This is developing story.
CNN Wire contributed to this report.
