July 26, (THEWILL) – Irish singer, Sinead O’Connor, known for topping the charts around the world with the 1990 song ‘Nothing Compares 2 U,’ has died at the age of 56.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
Very brash and outspoken, with shaved head, pained expression, and shapeless wardrobe, a direct challenge to popular culture’s long-prevailing notions of femininity and sexuality, Sinead changed the image of women in music in the early 1990s.
She crashed onto the global music scene at the beginning of the decade with her mesmerizing version of the song originally written by Prince, facing directly into the camera for the music video that has subsequently been viewed almost 400 million times on YouTube.
Also known for her outspoken views on religion, sex, feminism and war, Sinead will be remembered in some quarters for ripping up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a television appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live.’
Sinead converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat, but continued to perform under the name Sinead O’Connor.
