Musical icon Prince has passed away aged just 57. The news first broke on TMZ that a body was found at his Paisley Park studio this morning in Minnesota (local time), with the Associated Press claiming that it had been confirmed as the singer by a publicist.

It’s believed that Prince, real name Prince Rogers Nelson, had been ill with flu – The Telegraph report that he was rushed to hospital over the weekend after his private jet made an emergency landing Friday. He had, however, performed a sold out show in Atlanta on Thursday, and seemed to be in good health.

The Minneapolis musician shot to fame in the late 70s with his sexually charged mix of funk, soul and pop. The Purple Rain film and soundtrack made him a megastar in 1984 (the album remains one of the biggest-selling of all time to this day) and his subsequent run of albums during the 80s – including Sign Of The Times, Parade and Paisley Park – cemented his legend as one of pop’s most brilliant songwriters.

Head here to read the dA-Zed guide to Prince