RIP

Prince's legion of fans recreated the closing scene of "Purple Rain" ... on a much bigger scale, and it was pretty awesome to see from above.

Mourners gathered in downtown Minneapolis Thursday night, and a reporter had the perfect birdseye view when the crowd of several hundred people sang along to Prince's signature anthem.

Prince was all over NYC ... with Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and the whole cast of "Hamilton" saluting the singer.

Alicia's one of the few artists Prince allowed to cover his music. On her debut album she recorded a new version of "How Come You Don't Call Me" -- and during a private show Thursday night she played the song and thanked Prince for teaching her "how to be bold and brazen."

He got more props on Broadway ... Hudson and the cast of "The Color Purple" closed with a "Purple Rain" sing-along -- and the "Hamilton" crew stepped outta the 18th century for "Let's Go Crazy."

Charlie Murphy is reflecting on his most famous basketball opponent ... opening up about how Prince didn't just change music -- he changed the world.

Of course, Charlie's "Chappelle's Show" sketch about his pick-up game with Prince is legendary ... but Murphy says it shouldn't have been a shock that His Purpleness was such an incredible athlete.

"If you seen his last show, how could you not watch his show and go, 'That dude is an athlete!'"

Prince clearly made an impact on Murphy -- and he joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show on FS1 to tell us what the singer meant to him. It's pretty good stuff.

Ray Romano thought Doris Roberts was awesome in many ways ... that's what he told our photog Thursday as he left The Redbury in Hollywood.

Ray was clearly joking about the kissing thing, but maybe not the other qualities that made Doris special.

A vibrant rainbow graced the skies above Prince's home Thursday ... hours after he died.

Mourners were paying their respects outside Paisley Park when the rain stopped, the skies opened and the rainbow appeared.

It's interesting ... hours after Nancy Reagan died in March, a rainbow appeared over the home she shared with President Reagan.

A panicked man called 911 from Paisley Park after finding Prince unconscious, and blurted out ... "people are just distraught" here.

We've obtained the transcript of the 911 call which police say was made by an unidentified male who immediately said, "Um, we're at Prince's house." Seconds later the man stammered before saying, "So, yeah, um, the person is dead here."

For some reason the caller did not know the address at Paisley Park, and had to call someone else in to the room to provide that info.

When the dispatcher asked, "Are you with the person who's ... " -- the caller interrupted, "Yes, it's Prince."

Paramedics arrived and quickly reported back to dispatch, "You can cancel anybody going to Audubon, confirmed DOA."

Prince's longtime friend and collaborator Sheila E. wants answers -- and she's jetting to Minnesota right now to get them.

We just got Sheila as she was boarding a flight at LAX, and she was visibly shaken about the news of Prince's death. She gave us a message for the millions of fans mourning around the world.

Prince hit up a local pharmacy hours before he died -- the 4th time he visited this week -- indicating his health was far worse than the simple flu.

TMZ obtained this photo of Prince leaving a Walgreens near his home in Minnesota Wednesday night at around 7 PM.

Our sources tell us Prince had frequented the Walgreens for years -- but last night, people at the store were concerned because he looked much more frail and nervous than usual.

As we previously reported, Prince's team told the media he was suffering from the flu. It seemed odd, because his private jet had to make an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois last Friday, just 48 minutes from his home.

Prince was hospitalized ... but was discharged after only a few hours. Our sources in Moline told us at the time they felt Prince left the hospital way too soon because he was "not doing well" and needed further medical care.

On Saturday, the day after he was released from the hospital, Prince took the stage at a dance party near his home and curiously said, "Wait a few days before you waste any prayers."

Prince's shocking death prompted even President Obama to shout-out the musical genius who "did it all."

The Prez said, "Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll."

Obama's a HUGE fan and even got Prince to play a top secret show at the White House last summer for 500 people. An Obama staffer called the event a "private party for friends and family."

Like so much of Prince's life -- the White House show was totally private. No video's ever surfaced, which is a damn shame. He reportedly jammed with Stevie Wonder during the gig.

He performed his final concert in Atlanta one week ago.

Magic Johnson says he's crushed by the death of his "good friend" Prince -- saying the legend is one of 2 musicians he actually followed around the world to see in concert.

"I am so devastated by the passing of my good friend Prince," Johnson tweeted.

"This is so tragic. First MJ and now Prince! Two icons gone too soon!"

"Prince and Michael were the only artists I actually followed around the world to see their stellar performances live."

Several huge sports figures are also mourning the death of the music legend, including:

Sugar Ray Leonard -- I met Prince and had brief discussions with him and he was without question, a Special individual! RIP."

Mark Cuban -- Im in shock #Prince

Deion Sanders -- #RIPPrince. When we lose 1 our TRUE entertainers & pioneers it makes u rethink your life & stop taking people & things for granted. #TRUTH

3:43 PM PT -- The medical examiners office has received Prince's body and will perform an autopsy Friday.

12:25 PM PT -- The Sheriff's department says Prince was found in an elevator at Paisley Park. They performed CPR, but were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 10:07 AM Central Time.

11:27 AM PST -- The Carver County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ they are now investigating the circumstances of Prince's death. At this time, there are no signs of foul play.

The artist known as Prince has died ... TMZ has learned. He was 57.

Prince's body was discovered at his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota early Thursday morning.

Multiple sources connected to the singer confirmed he had passed. We've obtained the emergency dispatch call for a "male down, not breathing."

The singer -- full name Prince Rogers Nelson -- had a medical emergency on April 15th that forced his private jet to make an emergency landing in Illinois. But he appeared at a concert the next day to assure his fans he was okay. His people told TMZ he was battling the flu.

At the show, Prince prophetically told the crowd, "Wait a few days before you waste any prayers."

There are no signs Chyna intended to die, based on what police found inside her apartment -- and she'd been deceased for at least a day ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us there was no suicide note left in her Redondo Beach, CA home. We're also told it appears the WWE legend had passed away a "day or two" prior to Wednesday evening ... when a friend found her body. The last known contact she had with anyone happened on Sunday evening.

As we first reported ... there were no illegal drugs, but officers did find legal prescription bottles. Our sources described the number of bottles as 3 or 4 ... "nothing out of the ordinary." Also, the bottles were not emptied.

We're told several neighbors told investigators they suspected "overdose" as the cause of death since she'd seemed "under the influence" lately.

Hulk Hogan is mourning the death of his former co-worker Chyna ... saying he's "devastated" over her death.

WWE legend Chyna -- real name Joanie Laurer -- has died ... and officials are investigating as a possible overdose, TMZ Sports has learned.

We've learned she was in her apartment in Redondo Beach, CA ... south of L.A. -- and police got the call around 7:30 PM. Our law enforcement sources say she had not been seen or heard from for a few days. A friend went to check on her yesterday and found her unresponsive in the bedroom of her home and made the call to police.

Officers were on the scene late Wednesday investigating the death as a possible overdose -- due mainly to her history with drugs. Prescription bottles were found in the home, but there were no illegal drugs ... according to our sources.

Cops say there are no signs of foul play.

Chyna was 46 years old.

A statement was posted to Chyna's official Twitter account confirming the death ... saying, "It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero."

"She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her."

Laurer's manager first confirmed the death to ProWrestlingSheet.com.

She posted a video to her YouTube page earlier this week -- she looked like she was struggling.

Chyna was a game changer during her stint with the WWE -- famously teaming up with Triple H to become one of the original members of D-Generation X. She was also the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble.

Chyna went on to pose for Playboy before transitioning to reality TV. She appeared on "The Surreal Life" in 2005.

Later, Chyna got into porn ... releasing 6 films from 2004 to 2013.

She later went to Japan to teach English.

Chyna struggled with addiction for years -- and appeared on 'Celebrity Rehab' back in 2008.