Justin Timberlake’s beautiful dedication to Prince

Last night I sat on the couch stunned by the news that the one and only Prince, Symbol, his Royal Purpleness, had gone to the stars.

Having only recently lost the talent and gift that was David Bowie, this seemed like a piss take.

The first time I really connected with Prince was at the Shark Tank - unlikely I know.

It was the early 90s, and after the game while our folks had the post-match braai, my mate Kara and I climbed into the car with Purple Rain and sat glued song after song.

I was so taken by what I heard and followed his career with such keen interest thereafter. I loved his style, his persona, and of course his musicology.

Read Justin Timberlake’s very emotional message to the music legend Prince:

Read the full text here:

"It was Raspberry Beret. I was 4 years old. Yes, 4. I remember that I instantly loved it. 'Mommy, who is that singing?' Seems weird but it's true. 

More than a 'once in a lifetime' artist... Just a ONCE IN FOREVER ARTIST. I'm still in shock as I write this and I feel this overwhelming grief. But, we should all turn away from that and HONOR this musician that changed all of our lives, our perspectives, our feeling, our whole being. From another planet? Probably. Royalty, for sure. Us worthy..? Laughable.

They say don't meet your idols... That they let you down. But, some of my greatest, funniest (yes, he was hilarious), and most prolific encounters and conversations about music came from the moments that I spent with him. It would be silly to say that he has inspired our music... It's beyond that. 

He's somewhere within every song I've ever written. 

I am sad, but I will smile when I think of every second that I had the fortune of being in his company. We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die. 

Prince, NOTHING COMPARES...

#RIPPrince"