The pop star's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, told the news service that Prince was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis.

"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57," publicist Yvette Noel-Schure said in a statement. "There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time."

The Carver County's Sheriff's Office said the musician was "found dead at Paisley Park Studios."

"We are investigating the circumstances of his death," the sheriff's office said.

Prince was an innovative and influential singer and songwriter whose music combined jazz, funk and disco. His hit songs also included Raspberry Beret and Little Red Corvette.

He first found fame in the late 1970s, and over the next three decades became known as one of the most inventive and eccentric forces in American pop music.

Prince, an intensely private person, sold more than 100 million records during his career, won seven Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He won an Oscar for best original sound score for Purple Rain, the 1984 movie whose music was based on his album of the same name. Prince also starred in the movie.

In 2007, he played the Super Bowl in one of the most celebrated such performances.

Last week, the singer was briefly hospitalised with the flu after his plane made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois, TMZ reported.

A representative told the celebrity news outlet that the singer had performed in Atlanta even though he was not feeling well and felt worse after boarding the plane for a flight back to Minnesota.

Prince's most recent album, HITnRUN: Phase Two was released in December 2015, and the artist had been on tour in the United States as recently as last week.

In 1993, Prince legally changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol, but later changed it back again.

He was born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis on June 7, 1958, and is said to have written his first song at the age of seven. As well as singing and writing, he played multiple instruments, including guitar, keyboards and drums.

His music was marked by sexually charged lyrics and explosive live performances, while his private life was marked by a string of romances linking him with the likes of Madonna and Kim Basinger and Carmen Electra.

Prince was married twice: to his backup singer, Mayte Garcia, in 1996 and then to Manuela Testolini in 2001. Both marriages ended in divorce.

Deputies first arrived at his Paisley Park compound at 9.43am local time, responding to reports of a medical situation, Carver County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud told CBS Minnesota.

The music legend held a party at Paisley Park on Saturday. He posted a photo early Sunday morning showing a scene from the compound in Chanhassen, southwest of Minneapolis.

Appearing for less than five minutes at that party, Prince played Chopsticks on a purple Yamaha piano and showed off a new purple guitar, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

"I have to leave it in the case or I'll be tempted to play it," Prince said of the guitar. "I can't play the guitar at all these days, so I can keep my mind on this (piano) and get better."

Regarding his health scare, the Star Tribune reported, Prince said: "Wait a few days before you waste any prayers."

Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman - former members of Prince's band, the Revolution - said in a statement that they were "completely shocked and devestated (sic) by the sudden loss of our brother, artist and friend, Prince. ... We offer our love, support, and condolences to our extended family, friends and all fans of our sweet Prince."

Soon after news emerged of his death, fans gathered to mourn and leave flowers outside Prince's Paisley Park compound as well as the storied First Avenue music venue where he filmed "Purple Rain."

Fans stood outside the nightclub, touching a golden star etched with the late musician's name.

Twitter lit up with reaction from dismayed friends and fans. "Prince" was the top-trending term on the social media network in the United States on Thursday afternoon local time with more than 840,000 mentions.

"And just like that ... the world lost a lot of magic  Rest in peace Prince! Thanks for giving us so much," tweeted pop star Katy Perry.

Retired basketball star Shaquille O'Neal wrote: "R.I.P PRINCE, another icon gone too soon."