Tyka Nelson Explained

Tyka Nelson
Birth Date:18 May 1960
Birth Name:Tyka Evene Nelson
Birth Place:Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Death Place:Robbinsdale, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation:Singer
Years Active:1980–2024
Notable Works:Marc Anthony's Tune
Royal Blue
Spouse:Maurice Phillips
Children:6
Parents:Mattie Della Shaw (mother)John L. Nelson (father)
Relatives:Prince (brother)

Tyka Evene Nelson (May 18, 1960 – November 4, 2024) was an American singer. She was the daughter of jazz musician John L. Nelson (1916–2001) and jazz singer Mattie Della Shaw (1933–2002), and the sister of Prince (1958–2016). In addition, she had seven half-siblings. She was Prince's only full sibling.[1] [2] [3]

Career

She released four albums between 1988 and 2011, and reached No. 33 on the Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July 1988 with "Marc Anthony's Tune",[4] produced by Larry Graham.[5] She wrote the song because she had a crush on the singer.

Later life

She accepted Prince's American Music Award for Top Soundtrack following his death in 2016.[6] [7] Her last public performance was in Australia in 2018, though she tried to make another performance in June 2024. In July 2021, she agreed to sell 90% of the shares she had in Prince's estate, with her half-brother Omar Bakker and late half brother Alfred Jackson's interest selling 100% of their shares.[8] [9] In June 2024, she retired from music after falling ill and failing to make a planned concert performance. At the time of her retirement, she stated that she was working on a memoir.

Personal life and death

Nelson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 18, 1960.[10] She was married to Maurice Phillips, and had six children.[11] At the time of her death in November 2024, it was revealed that aside from three half siblings, her two sons Sir and President and five of her grandchildren were Nelson's only known survivors. Nelson and President co-designed Prince's urn.[12]

Her half brother Lorna Nelson died in 2006.[13] Another half brother Alfred Jackson died in August 2019.[14] Her eldest half brother John R. Nelson died on September 3, 2021.[15]

Nelson died at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, on November 4, 2024, at the age of 64.[16] [17] [18] She had reportedly been ill since June 2024.

Discography

Albums

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Prince's Sister Says Late Singer Had No Known Will. Ryan. Nakashima. Steve. Karnowski. Associated Press. April 26, 2016. November 5, 2024.
  2. News: Prince's sister Tyka Nelson dies at 64. Joe. Bream. Star Tribune. November 4, 2024. November 5, 2024.
  3. News: Prince's Sister Tyka Nelson Dies at 64, Cousin Confirms. Jack. Irvin. People. November 5, 2024. November 5, 2024.
  4. Tyka Nelson . Billboard . March 9, 2017.
  5. Web site: Tyka Nelson – Royal Blue (CD, Album) . Discogs.com . 1988 . March 9, 2017.
  6. News: Prince's Sister Tyka Nelson Breaks Down Honoring Late Icon at AMAs: 'He Had the Courage to Be Different'. Jeff. Nelson. USA Today. November 20, 2016. November 5, 2024.
  7. News: Tyka Nelson, sister of late music icon Prince, dies at 64. Brendan. Morrow. USA Today. November 5, 2024. November 5, 2024.
  8. News: Tyka Nelson, songwriter and singer who was Prince's only full sibling, dies at 64. Nardine. Nelson. Los Angeles Times. November 5, 2024. November 5, 2024.
  9. News: Big music firm controls half of Prince's estate as case winds down. Mike. Hughlett. Jon. Bream. Star Tribune. July 25, 2021. November 5, 2024.
  10. Web site: Affidavit of Heirship of Tyka Nelson and Response of Special Administrator . Minnesota Judicial Branch . March 9, 2017.
  11. Web site: 5 Things to Know About Prince's Sister, Tyka Nelson . People.com. Karen. Mizoguchi. April 25, 2016. October 1, 2017.
  12. News: First Photos of Prince's Final Resting Place: Singer's Urn Modeled After Paisley Park. Jordan. Runtagh. People. October 15, 2016. November 5, 2024.
  13. News: Funeral for Prince's half-brother, Duane Nelson, is Saturday. Star Tribune. May 3, 2013. November 5, 2024.
  14. News: Prince's half-brother and heir Alfred Jackson dies at 66. Bryan. Alexander. USA Today. August 29, 2019. November 5, 2024.
  15. News: Prince's brother, one of his remaining family heirs, dies. Katy. Read. Star Tribune. September 4, 2021. November 5, 2024.
  16. Web site: Prince's family confirms death of his sister. Emily. Baude. November 5, 2024. KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.
  17. News: Minneapolis musician Tyka Nelson, Prince's sister and only full sibling, dies at 64. Maria. Sherman. Associated Press. November 5, 2024. November 5, 2024.
  18. News: Prince's sister Tyka Nelson dead at 64. ABC Audio. WDNY. November 5, 2024. November 5, 2024.
  19. Web site: Tyka Nelson – Yellow Moon, Red Sky . Discogs.com . June 6, 2024.
  20. News: Prince's sister Tyka Nelson steps out of her brother's shadow . . January 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081219010857/http://www.citypages.com/2008-12-10/music/prince-s-sister-tyka-nelson-steps-out-of-her-brother-s-shadow/ . December 19, 2008 . dead.
  21. News: They had that pact and they kept it," publicist tells PEOPLE Magazine of Prince and the singer's sister Tyka . . April 26, 2016.
  22. News: Tyka Nelson Official Website – Grammy Award Consideration . November 7, 2024.
  23. Web site: Tyka Nelson – 'A Brand New Me' Full Album . YouTube.com . April 7, 2024.
  24. Web site: Hustler by Tyka Nelson . Apple Music . October 8, 2011 . Apple Inc.. April 23, 2017.

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