Obama hails Prince as 'creative icon'

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama mourned Prince as one of the most gifted artists of his time after the pop legend's sudden death Thursday.

"Today the world lost a creative icon," Obama said in a statement, adding: "Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent."

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"As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer," he said.

Obama last year invited Prince, along with Stevie Wonder, to perform a concert for friends at the White House, which generated a level of controversy as the event was listed as private.

Prince was famously reclusive but has occasionally taken up politics, last year writing the song "Baltimore" in support of African-American victims of perceived police brutality.