Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are paying their respects to music royalty.
Hours after E! News confirmed that pop legend Prince was found dead in in his Minnesota home, the President of the United States issued a statement Thursday. "Today, the world lost a creative icon. Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent," Barack, 54, said of Prince, 57. "As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer. 'A strong spirit transcends rules,' Prince once said—and nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band, and all who loved him."
(Whether Prince felt the same about Barack is unclear. In a 2009 interview with The Los Angeles Times, the singer-songwriter said, "I don't vote. I didn't vote for Barack, either; I've never voted. Jehovah's Witnesses haven't voted for their whole inception.")
Minneapolis mayor Betsey Hodges also paid her respects to The Artist, whose music career spanned several decades. "For the residents of Minneapolis, the loss of Prince is too large to describe. His music brought untold joy to people all over the world. But in Minneapolis, it is different. It is harder here," she said in a statement. "Prince was a child of our city and his love of his hometown permeated many of his songs. Our pride in his accomplishments permeates our love of Minneapolis. From his youth in the Minneapolis Public Schools, to his graduation from Central High School, to his breakthrough performance at the Capri on Broadway Avenue, to his world wide success, he was one of us. He gave us more opportunities to hear his music than anyone else. What a blessing. Only now may we realize how lucky we were."
"His first album, For You (1978), showed his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, but we had no idea then that he would be such an incredibly prolific composer, usually putting out a new album every year as well as generously sharing his gifts and writing songs for others. In doing so, he lifted up other artists including The Time, Sheila E, The Family, Madhouse, Jill Jones and many others. Together they created 'The Minneapolis Sound' that changed the course of music in the 1980s," Hodges said. "For many of us, we grew up with his music and it became an essential part of our youth and our growth. I will never ever forget the electricity I felt the first time I listened to the Purple Rain soundtrack—and many times since."
Echoing what many celebrities have said on Twitter, Hodges said, "Prince was unapologetically different and he made it okay for his fans to be different and to celebrate their individuality. His social conscience challenged us to look deeper than the skin color of our neighbors. 'Baltimore' challenges us today as much as 'Sign o' the Times' did in 1987. His voice was vital and will be missed."
"Prince never left us and we never left him. We kept listening: Diamonds and Pearls, The Gold Experience, 3121, Art Official Age, so many more. How could one person produce so much beauty? To know that his latest, HITnRUN Phase Two, a great album, may be his last new work reminds us of the many more years he should have had with us."
"Prince never left us and we never left him. In the days ahead, we will mourn Prince and will publicly honor his contributions. In the meantime, we have his music," Hodges concluded. "And that will be with us forever."
Watch E! News tonight at 7 and 11 for a closer look at Prince's legacy.