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Prince's fans mourn the death of a pop culture icon

Fans from every background grieved on every platform.

Heather Dockray

on April 21, 2016

Prince's fans mourn the death of a pop culture icon

INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Prince performs live at the Fabulous Forum on February 19, 1985 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

It's challenging to know what to do when a cultural icon you love dies -- and sometimes the best place to find solace is Twitter.

After learning of Prince's death early this afternoon, fans expressed their grief and confusion all over the web.

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Near the Paisley Park Estate, where Prince died, cars lined up for miles.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Here's direct video of the scene:

A massive line of cars lining up to turn by Paisley Park. #ripprince pic.twitter.com/rVPMnQmxCT
— Morgan Wolfe (@Morgan_Wolfe_) April 21, 2016

At First Avenue in Minneapolis, where Prince debuted "Purple Rain," fans laid flowers and celebrated his legacy.

Owner of @FirstAvenue says passing of Prince is shocking. Her dad knew him from Purple Rain days... when she met him it was "life changing"
— Leah Beno (@LeahBenoFox9) April 21, 2016

On Twitter, fans of every age and background came together to express their love, all in 140 characters.

Today it rains purple. R.I.P Prince
— Oliver Sykes (@oloberrrsyko) April 21, 2016

And 'legend' gets thrown round way too much these days but prince really was one. Fuck. Gutted
— Rob Damiani (@RobDamiani) April 21, 2016

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RIP Prince. I've never known all the words to your songs but damn do they make me feel good.
— Miles Teller (@Miles_Teller) April 21, 2016

The king they called Prince. Rest in power pic.twitter.com/eXN1tYBBXu
— Rejjie Snow (@rejjiesnow) April 21, 2016

"Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
to get through this thing called life"

- Prince
— Lynda with a y (@lynkcheck) April 21, 2016

Prince was nothing like you, but he seemed to celebrate you, whoever you were, whatever you did or did not represent. What a gift.
— Matt Zoller Seitz (@mattzollerseitz) April 21, 2016

Put Prince on all the dollar bills.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) April 21, 2016

I can't believe I live in world without Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, Phife, Heavy D, and Natalie Cole. What is this?
— J. Green (@GadaboutGreen) April 21, 2016

I'm just going to stop reading the news and make up my own. Prince and I are heading off now on a picnic with Vicky, Ronnie and Dave. :(
— Sarah McIntyre (@jabberworks) April 21, 2016

Michael gave us more in 50, Whitney gave us more in 48, and Prince gave us more in 57 years than some people could give in 1,000 years.
— Vincent (@VtheEsquire) April 21, 2016

I saw Prince perform in Baltimore last year. I'll never forget it. pic.twitter.com/rrKrejuE4w
— deray mckesson (@deray) April 21, 2016

Someone on the radio just described Prince as a "singer". That's like calling Michelangelo a painter and decorator.
— Dan (@SuffolkDan) April 21, 2016

In 2016, music has lost Prince, David Bowie, George Martin, Glenn Frey, and Merle Haggard, among others. Tough year to love great things.
— Dan Murrell (@MurrellDan) April 21, 2016

Put on a dance show for my Dad and his gf when I was 12. To Darling Nikki. Nothing could be more inappropriate. I love you #Prince
— Elizabeth Reaser (@reasereaser) April 21, 2016

And on Instagram, fans let Prince's own words do the grieving.

Repost of @vquotes__ RIP Prince 🙏

A photo posted by PicLab™ Sayings (@bestsayingss) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:09am PDT

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Topics Music Celebrities

Heather Dockray

Heather was the Web Trends reporter at Mashable NYC. Prior to joining Mashable, Heather wrote regularly for UPROXX and GOOD Magazine, was published in The Daily Dot and VICE, and had her work featured in Entertainment Weekly, Jezebel, Mic, and Gawker. She loves small terrible dogs and responsible driving. Follow her on Twitter @wear_a_helmet.