American singer and icon Prince Rogers Nelson has passed on.

International reports confirmed that the 57-year-old singer passed away at his Paisley Park residence on Thursday.

Social media exploded with international and local celebrities expressing their grief at the passing of a legendary icon like Prince.

The artist is known to have given the world hits like Diamonds & Pearls, Purple Rain, and Doves Cry.

The pain of such a great loss in the music community was felt in South Africa too as radio personalities and the likes expressed their grief at this sudden loss of yet another musical icon.

Poppy Ntshongwane was one of the few radio personalities who tweeted her sadness as soon as she heard that Prince had passed on.

Going to pump 'when doves cry' all the way home. What a jam. Thank You, Prince. 🙌 #RIPPrince

— Poppy Ntshongwana (@PoppyIsMyName) April 21, 2016

Denise Zimba

Denise Zimba also wrote a touching message about Prince and how the SA industry can learn a lot from artists like him.

 

Thank You! For being true to your craft. I will forever be inspired. You were your authentic self in the international industry and stuck it out no matter what anyone said. A lesson that the SA industry and the people running it still need to understand... To do for the people, coz it's the people who need it the most. ❤️ You were always a King to me, and always will be. #embracetruetalent #givecreditwherecreditisdue

A photo posted by Denise Zimba (@missdenisezimba) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:33am PDT

Thandiswa Mazwai 

Thandiswa Mazwai was also greatly moved by the loss of a musician whom she respected dearly.

 

Sometimes it's snows in April😢 I am gutted! #ripprince

A photo posted by Gunzah Blaze (@thandiswamazwai) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

Nandi Mngoma 

Nandi Mngoma also shared a beautiful caption of words once sung by Prince.

 

"But life is just a party, and parties weren't meant to last." - Prince #RIPLegend 🙏

A photo posted by nandi mngoma (@nandimngoma) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:43am PDT

The cause of Prince's death is yet to be confirmed, although international reports mentioned that last week the icon was sick with flu, but had recovered just in time for his live shows.