As the doves cry, purple rain envelops the internet. Prince, you'll be missed

"Dearly beloved..We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life..." - Lets go Crazy, Purple Rain (1984)

It looks like 2016 has overstayed its welcome. It has only been four months to be sure, but haven't you had enough already? Processing the loss of David Bowie and Alan Rickman was proving difficult enough, but to add Prince to the list of legends we'll never see or hear again makes one want to just skip the rest of 2016. 

For Prince wasn't just a singer. He was a musical prodigy from a broken home who dressed like a prince and performed like a demi-god. 

He worked himself and his fans up to a chaotic frenzy in his live concerts only to effortlessly transcend into sublime tranquility. He didn't merely talk about acceptance - of people, colour, diversity, sexuality - he practised it. 

Let the doves loose, the Prince has left the building. 

Rest in Purple, Prince.