Prince dead: Purple Rain, Kiss, When Doves Cry and other classics from music legend

Music legend Prince has died, his publicist has confirmed. According to TMZ, paramedics were called to the 57-year-old pop star's home at Paisley Park in Minneapolis on Thursday morning. His passing come days after he was briefly hospitalised for what was said to be a bad case of the flu.

The eccentric singer-songwriter catapulted to fame in 1970s and went on to enjoy huge success with albums including Prince (1979), Dirty Mind (1980) and Controversy (1981). Purple Rain, the soundtrack album to the 1984 film of the same name, remains his best-selling album.

In 2015, after almost four decades in the industry, the pop legend removed his entire discography from all streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music and Rdio, except Jay Z's Tidal. Although he offered no explanation for his decision to restrict access to his songs, he later claimed that his collaboration with the rapper gave him the freedom to collaborate with other artists on songs which might appear on other platforms.

"Once we have our own resources, we can provide what we need for ourselves," he said. "Jay Z spent $100m of his own money to build his own service. We have to show support for artists who are trying to own things for themselves."

IBTimes UK looks back at the singer's greatest songs.

Sign 'O' the Times (1987)

Most Beautiful Girl in the World (1995)

"When Doves Cry" (1984)

"Rasberry Beret" (1985)

"Kiss" (1986)

"1999" (1982)

"Purple Rain" (1984)