David "Z" Rivkin, a Grammy-winning producer and engineer who helped define the Minneapolis Sound and worked with Prince in his earliest studio sessions, has died at 78. His brother, Bobby Z — drummer for Prince and the Revolution — confirmed the death to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Rolling Stone reported that Rivkin died on a Sunday at a hospital in Burbank, California, from complications of an infection.

Rivkin's career spanned more than five decades and crossed genres that most producers never touch in combination: funk, R&B, blues, pop and new wave. He produced Lipps Inc.'s "Funkytown," a 1980 single that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. He worked with Etta James — winning two Grammy awards for that production work — and earned a Grammy nomination for record of the year for Fine Young Cannibals' 1988 single "She Drives Me Crazy." His credit list also includes the Jets, Buddy Guy and Jody Watley. Billboard and Rolling Stone confirmed those credits.

The connection to Prince was where Rivkin's influence ran deepest. Owen Husney, Prince's first manager and a Sixties-era bandmate of Rivkin's, introduced an 18-year-old Prince to Rivkin in 1976 at Sound 80 studios in Minneapolis. While listening to Prince's demo tape, Rivkin hummed a horn line. Prince's response, as reported by Rolling Stone: "David is the only one I want working with me." After the demo sessions, Prince signed with Warner Bros. and continued to work with Rivkin on multiple projects.

The Minneapolis Sound — a blend of funk, synth-pop and rock that put the city on the musical map in the late Seventies and early Eighties — was a term Rivkin addressed directly. In a mid-Eighties interview with the Star Tribune, he called it "the sound of ignorance," explaining that it was made up in an isolated atmosphere rather than borrowed from Los Angeles or New York. Rolling Stone cited the remark.

Husney described Rivkin as "the secret ingredient on many, many musical projects" — a producer who stayed quiet about his own contributions. That reticence fit a career spent largely behind the board, shaping records rather than promoting himself.

Stereogum, which published its own obituary on 3 August 2026, identified Rivkin as the Minneapolis musician and producer best known for his work with Prince. The outlet confirmed his death at 78.

Rivkin is survived by his brother Bobby Z and other family members. No memorial arrangements have been publicly announced.