The Family is a funk and soul band that was created by Prince in the mid-1980s, as an outlet for his prolific songwriting. The group is notable for its original members, which included St. Paul Peterson and Susannah Melvoin, and their unique blend of jazz, pop, and soul influences. The Family's most influential work, a self-titled album released in 1985, introduced the original version of "Nothing Compares 2 U", later made famous by Sinead O'Connor. This band is significant for its role in expanding Prince's musical universe and for introducing a distinctive fusion of styles.