Tyka Nelson-Cedar Herald Index

Tyka Evene Nelson (born May 18, 1960) is an American singer. She is the daughter of jazz musician John L. Nelson (1916–2001) and Mattie Della Shaw (1933–2002). She is the younger sister of Prince (1958–2016).

Nelson has released four albums. She reached No. 33 on the Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July 1988 with "Marc Anthony's Tune". It was produced by Larry Graham. Nelson is married to Maurice Phillips. She has six children.

Tyka Nelson

She accepted Prince's American Music Award for Top Soundtrack after his death in 2016.

Tyka Nelson

Early life

Tyka Evene Nelson was born on May 18, 1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the daughter of Mattie Della Nelson (née Shaw; 1933–2002) and John Lewis Nelson (1916–2001). Her parents were both African-American,. Her family ancestry is centered in Louisiana. All four of her grandparents arefrom that state. Her father was a jazz pianist and songwriter. Her mother was a jazz singer. Her brothe was Prince Rogers. Both children had an interest in music. This was encouraged by their father. According to a 2008 interview with City Pages, she began writing songs when she was 10 and “hasn’t collaborated” with her brother since they were young.

Tyka Nelson

Tyka studied and graduated at of Minneapolis’ North High

Career

in 1978, After graduating from North High of Minneapolis, Tyka went to California to begin her musical career. She released her first studio album Royal Blue in 1988. She signed with the record lable Cooltempo. Her song “Marc Anthony's Tune” reached No. 33 on the Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July.