Prince was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John L. Nelson and Mattie D. Shaw. He had one older sister, Tika Nelson, and a half-brother, Omarr Baker, from his father's side. His family background included a mix of African American and Native American heritage. Prince had a close relationship with his family throughout his life. He often credited his parents for his musical talent, as his father was a jazz musician. After his rise to fame, he remained connected to his family, supporting them and involving them in his creative projects.