U.S. pop superstar Prince was found dead on Thursday in his recording studio in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, said his publicist.

Prince performs at the Miami Arena August 15, 1997. [Photo: Imagine China]

"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary iconic performer, Prince, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57," said Prince's publicist Yvette Noel-Schure in a statement.

No details as to the cause of his death was available at the moment, said Noel-Schure.

According to early local media reports, Prince was hospitalized in Illinois on April 15 on his way back from a concert in Atlanta, Georgia.

Born in 1958 in Minnesota, Prince Rogers Nelso, known by his mononym Prince, was a singer, songwriter, multiple instrumentalist and actor, and was acclaimed as a major figure in U.S. popular music for over three decades.

Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.