Prince’s Protege Vanity Dies at 57

Los Angeles, Feb 16 (IANS) Vanity, the lead singer of girl group Vanity 6 and former protege of musician Prince, has died from kidney failure and an abdominal illness. She was 57.

The 1980s singer, nee Denise Katrina Matthews, died in a hospital in Fremont, California, on Monday.

She started her career as a teenage model and actress. She was soon discovered by Prince and recruited to be part of a girl group.

Vanity and her band members -- Susan Moonsie and Brenda Bennett -- rose to fame after they released their dance hit "Nasty girl", which was written and produced by the "Purple rain" singer.

On Monday, Vanity was mourned by music greats, including MC Hammer, reports usmagazine.com.

"Today my friend & Sister Denise Katrina Matthews p/k/a #Vanity passed away. She absolutely loved GOD unto salvation. Rest in his Glory," he tweeted.

"Saturday #Vanity left the church after giving a beautiful testimony of appreciation for her Pastors & Thanks to her savior Jesus, I was there," the legendary hip-hop artist continued.

"I was looking for her Sunday and the announcement came that she fell ill during the night, she ended up on life support She loved the Lord."

Though she was sober in the last decades of her life, Vanity battled kidney failure and an abdominal illness.