How does one even begin to articulate the tragedy of losing a legendary artist and performer like Prince? It often helps to turn to other public speakers for comfort and guidance, which social media makes all the more easy in this day and age. In the wake of this news, celebrity tweets mourning Prince's passing are one of the first ways that we honor and process such a loss. Of the many tributes that are rolling out, Neil deGrasse Tyson's message is succinct and possibly the most poignant.
The legend was found Thursday at his home in Minnesota. The following is an official statement from Prince's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure.
It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57. There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time.
All we can do for now is mourn, even if it's still in shock. The astrophysicist, who often takes to Twitter for science lessons and jokes about movies but has expressed his musical tastes before, has a particularly poetic message that references one of Prince's most recognizable songs from Purple Rain. It's also an incredibly powerful image; the Twitter equivalent of a moment of reflective silence, in my opinion.
Prince had a lengthy and fruitful career, but this still feels like he left us too soon. It's only April, and with this added to David Bowie and Alan Rickman's passing, 2016 has been too brutal.
