Jimmy Jam Reflects on Prince 10 Years After His Death

Ten years after Prince’s death in 2016, Grammy-winning producer Jimmy Jam is reflecting on the music icon’s enduring influence, calling him a “wunderkind” whose work ethic and talent shaped his own career.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the Hollywood premiere of the biopic Michael, Jimmy Jam shared that Prince remains a constant presence in his thoughts. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him or think about what he would do in a certain situation,” he said.

Childhood Memories of a Musical Prodigy

Jimmy Jam and Prince first crossed paths as teenagers in Minneapolis, where their shared passion for music became the foundation of a lifelong connection. Recalling their early days, Jimmy Jam described a moment in junior high when their school formed a band for a play. Both raised their hands to join—Jimmy Jam choosing drums and Prince opting for guitar, a decision that left Jimmy Jam skeptical at the time.

That skepticism quickly turned to awe. While in the bathroom, Jimmy Jam overheard someone playing the drums with extraordinary skill. “I’m thinking it’s [the] drum teacher,” he recalled. “It’s Prince on the drums.” The revelation left him stunned. “So literally at 13 years old, I’m watching this wunderkind. It’s just like nothing I’d ever seen before.”

Prince’s versatility left a lasting impression. “He could play every instrument and do everything,” Jimmy Jam noted, emphasizing the prodigy’s relentless dedication to his craft.

The Time: A Musical Education Under Prince

As Prince’s career took off, he assembled The Time, a funk band that included Jimmy Jam, Morris Day, Jesse Johnson, Terry Lewis, Monte Moir, and Jellybean Johnson. The group served as Prince’s opening act in the early 1980s, providing Jimmy Jam with an unparalleled education in music and professionalism.

“When we got a chance to get signed as The Time, which Prince made happen, and go and tour with him, it was every musical education that we needed, but really, it was about the work ethic,” Jimmy Jam said. “Nobody outworked Prince. He’d rehearse us for 12 hours. He’d rehearse his band for 6 hours. He’d go to the studio all night. And something about that work ethic was amazing.”

A Firing That Launched Legendary Careers

In 1983, Prince fired Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from The Time after they missed a show while producing music for other artists. Though the dismissal was a turning point, Jimmy Jam now views it as a pivotal moment in his career.

“Prince was the one who fired us from The Time, but as my partner says, ‘He freed us,’”

Jimmy Jam

“He was the person that gave us our opportunity twice,” Jimmy Jam reflected. “He gave us our opportunity by bringing us into the fold, and he gave us our opportunity by letting us fly and separating us from the fold. And so I thank him to this day.”

The split allowed Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to establish themselves as one of the most successful production duos in music history, crafting hits for artists like Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Boyz II Men. Yet, despite their professional separation, Jimmy Jam’s admiration for Prince has never waned.

A decade after his passing, Prince’s legacy continues to resonate—not just through his music, but through the artists he inspired. For Jimmy Jam, that influence remains as vivid as ever.