Tyka Nelson

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]

Tyka Nelson
Born	Tyka Evene Nelson (1960-05-18)May 18, 1960 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	November 4, 2024(2024-11-04) (aged 64) Robbinsdale, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1980–2024
Notable work	Marc Anthony's Tune Royal Blue
Spouse	Maurice Phillips
Children	6
Parent	Mattie Della Shaw (mother) John L. Nelson (father)
Relatives	Prince (brother)

Career

She released four albums between 1988 and 2011,^[2] and reached No. 33 on the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July 1988 with "Marc Anthony's Tune",^[4] produced by Larry Graham.^[5]

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.^[2] 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.^[2] At the time of her retirement, she stated that she was working on a memoir.^[2]

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, she was survived by her two sons Sir and President and five of her grandchildren.^[2][7][12] Nelson and President co-designed Prince's urn.^[13]

Her half sister Lorna Nelson died in 2006.^[14] Another half brother Alfred Jackson died in August 2019.^[15] Her eldest half brother John R. Nelson died on September 3, 2021.^[16]

Nelson died at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, on November 4, 2024, at the age of 64.^[17][18][19] She had reportedly been ill since June 2024.^[2]

Discography

Albums

• Royal Blue (Cooltempo, 1988)^[5]
• Yellow Moon, Red Sky (CMC International Records, 1992)^[20]
• A Brand New Me (2008) – Grammy Award Consideration^{[21][22][23][24]}
• Hustler (2011)^[25]