Growing up, Prince's records were part of the soundtrack of my childhood. My parents played music for every occasion: classic rock, R&B, and soul while we cleaned the house; cumbias and traditional Mexican folk music during family parties; classical music while I studied. But I always knew it was going to be a good day when my dad switched on his amplifier and filled the house with the sounds of 1980s legends like Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Chaka Khan, and, above all, Prince.

Whether it was the aching vulnerability of “Sometimes It Snows in April,” the emotional complexity of “When Doves Cry” or the exuberant futurism of “1999,” Prince's songs felt like more than music.

It’s been 10 years since Prince left our world. With the anniversary of his passing, I ask myself, what makes Prince’s legacy so uniquely powerful?

The Purple One. The Love Symbol. The Artist Formerly Known as Prince. Even the refusal to be confined to a single name became part of his artistic language. As a Black, androgynous performer from Minneapolis, he occupied a cultural space that mainstream America often pushed to its margins. Rather than diminish himself to fit within those expectations, he expanded the possibilities of what an artist could be. He demanded to be seen, not simply as a musician, but as an artist whose voice extended through every medium available to him.

Prince defied artistic boundaries through masterful storytelling, skillful musicianship, powerful self-expression, and longstanding mentorship that has influenced generations of fans even after his time with us on Earth.

In his recordings and live performances, Prince’s extraordinary vocal range of nearly 5 octaves, makes way for audiences to connect to a sensual falsetto persona. With his high-pitched voice and rich attitude, Prince defied gender expectations of the late 20th century, where queerness and any embodiment outside of the traditional male archetype was vilified. There was simply nothing more attractive than hearing his whining moans in songs like “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” where Prince covers three octaves in one song.

And who could forget Prince’s vision for a sickening costume? Rather than copying a single source, he blended historical esthetics with futuristic flash, shown in his pompadour hairstyles, frilly neckties in the 1980s, to his timeless ‘fro and third-eye sunglasses in the 2010s.

That multidisciplinary spirit is what continues to resonate today. On the 10th anniversary year of Prince’s passing, The Ford, in partnership with Fusicology, is producing Nothing Compares 2 Prince, a concert tribute performed by his friends and former colleagues as a means to describe his legacy.

Moodymann Plays Prince With DJ Rashida, André Cymone and DJ Chrome Queen

On August 14, 2026, I had the honor of photographing DJ Rashida, MoodyMann, André Cymone and DJ Chrome Queen who hosted a tribute to Prince at the Regent Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. What began as documentation of Prince’s impact on the music world became something much more special. I stepped into a different dimension.

For six hours, generations of Prince fans of all ages danced the night away bathed in purple light. As I approached the doors to the mainstage, I was greeted by a 20 foot Prince symbol that let me know I had arrived at the Purple Promised Land. DJ Chrome Queen started the show by playing “Controversy” and the energy of the dance hall came alive. Movement filled the crowd as André Cymone laid down live rhythms with his live bassline performance. Daru Jones kept the venue’s beat steady all night with his drum kit.

When MoodyMann came out, he spent time talking to the crowd and showcased rare Prince records. He discussed records that were mixed differently from their originals, and invited the audience to pick their favorites.. The crowd came alive with these calls and responses.

DJ Rashida, who worked with Prince directly, spun his records. The crowd connected with Rashida instantly, as if her DJ flow was mixed just for them to enjoy. The lines between performer and audience dissipated. At this moment, we were all a community celebrating Prince’s life, music, and legacy.

DJ Rashida and Fusicology Honor Prince’s Impact and Mentorship at The Ford

I was later able to connect with DJ Rashida at a community DJ workshop for young students in South Los Angeles. DJ Rashida worked closely with Prince and his band on several tours and shows up until his passing in 2016, “If you worked with him, you were mentored by him,” reflects DJ Rashida, “There were so many times where he put the spotlight on me in my career.”

As our conversation flowed, DJ Rashida reflected on the importance of the upcoming Nothing Compares 2 Prince concert at The Ford. “Asya approached me with [Nothing Compares 2 Prince] and I knew that it had to be Bilal to honor [Prince] vocally. He’s the guy.” Rashida shares, “Prince had a DJ, but he always, always had a band to play. So what you’re going to get in this show is a loud performance, and a community of artists and friends that were mentored by him coming together to honor his music and legacy.”

When speaking with Nothing Compares 2 Prince co-producer and owner of Fusicology, Asya Shein-Alexander, I asked her about Prince’s impact on the world. “I think a lot of people don’t realize how much music and artistry Prince put out,” she explains..“From the live shows to the concerts, stadiums, to the albums. He made his own movies. He did everything.”

“Knowing how much he gave back to the community, I'm hoping people can look at him after [Nothing Compares 2 Prince] as less of a symbol or an artist, but also as a humanitarian. He was a deeply spiritual person,” she says.

“I hope that people know that his music will live forever and can see the correlation between the artists that are coming up and that will come after,” shares Shein-Alexander.

As we continue to listen to Prince’s records and enjoy the artwork he left with us, perhaps that is what makes a true pop icon: not simply creating unforgettable work, but creating a legacy that continues to move through others long after the performance of life has ended.