CHANHASSEN, MINN. -- The late pop superstar Prince is being honoured in Minnesota as the state renames a seven-mile stretch of highway after him, one that runs past his Paisley Park home and recording studio.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz used purple ink on Tuesday to sign the bill dedicating the roadway formerly known as Minnesota Highway 5. Now, the path through in the Minneapolis suburbs of Chanhassen and Eden Prairie will be called the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway.

Purple road signs will soon go up along the highway declaring the new name, paid for by Prince鈥檚 friends and fans.

The governor described Prince as a 鈥済lobal icon鈥 and 鈥渃reative genius.鈥 Waltz and other lawmakers toured the cavernous rooms at Paisley Park which showcase sleek guitars and a purple piano from the artist鈥檚 career. The sights and sounds of Prince performing under shimmering lights add to the atmosphere.

After the tour, the governor said this was the 鈥渃oolest bill signing鈥 he鈥檚 ever done.

鈥淟ike so many Minnesotans, I鈥檓 just proud that Prince called Minnesota home,鈥 Walz said, adding that the highway dedication is just 鈥渁 small recognition鈥 of the singer, songwriter, arranger and instrumentalist.

Waltz said Prince is part of the state's 鈥渟hared cultural identity, that really does transcend generations.鈥

Paisley Park, where Prince lived and recorded, draws visitors from around the world to suburban Chanhassen. It's also where Prince died on April 21, 2016, of an accidental fentanyl overdose at age 57. The 65,000-square-foot complex is now a museum run by his estate as well as an event venue and recording studio.

Prince broke through in the late 1970s and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. His music 鈥 which includes hits like 鈥淧urple Rain,鈥 鈥淟et鈥檚 Go Crazy,鈥 鈥淲hen Doves Cry鈥 and 鈥1999鈥 鈥 has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Prince鈥檚 cousin, Charles Smith, called the highway dedication 鈥渁 beautiful thing.鈥

The symbolic gesture's official status makes it different from other tributes, Smith said. 鈥淭he governor signed it and put his dot on it. It鈥檚 heavy. It鈥檚 real powerful.鈥

The Minnesota Senate approved the legislation 55-5 on Thursday and sent it to the governor's desk. The bill passed the House unanimously last month on the seventh anniversary of Prince鈥檚 death.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan showed her long-time appreciation for Prince by wearing purple pants and matching earrings with a photo of the singer from his 鈥淧urple Rain鈥 performance at the Super Bowl.

鈥淗e encouraged everybody to be themselves, to love each other, to be supportive and to have fun, right?鈥 Flanagan said. 鈥淗e was an icon.鈥

Flanagan said she hopes people will drive on the seven-mile stretch, turn on their favourite Prince song 鈥 possibly 鈥淟ittle Red Corvette鈥 鈥 and remember the musician as they pass his home.