Tyka Nelson, 1960 – 2024

Singer and songwriter Tyka Nelson, 64, died on Nov. 4, after a brief illness. Nelson was the sister of Prince, who, she said, encouraged her to start singing as well. “I hadn’t wanted to before,” she told an interviewer, “because I wanted a separate identity; I knew he could make music but didn’t know if I could.” Nelson—who had a pleasant, light voice—recorded four albums, her biggest hit being “Marc Anthony’s Tune” in 1988. She retired from performing in 2018. “I’m getting older,’ Nelson said recently. “I really wasn’t a singer. I’m a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing.”