Transformative athletes. Right now every third string running back in the NFL is stronger and faster than Jim Brown, but in is time Jim Brown was untouchable...so untouchable that the whole league had to step its game up. High school players can replicate Jordan's dunks now...but at the time Jordan dunking was amazing. People consider him the GOAT for his intangibles and his impact on the game.

Prince basically change popular music as we know it. I was in elementary school pre-Prince and pre-Hip-hop, so I remember how homogenous music was. Even the greats like Stevie or MJ were just exceptional versions of standard R&B and dance music. Prince and rap music hit about the same time and both took Black popular music in several different directions.

Prince's influence was undeniable. He changed the game. So yes part of it is nostaglia, but mostly it's respecting how important is talent was.