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Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson, known by his mononym Prince, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor, and has been a major figure in popular music for over three decades. Prince is renowned as an innovator and is widely known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, and wide vocal range. He is widely regarded as the pioneer of Minneapolis sound. His music combines rock, R&B, soul, funk, hip hop, disco, psychedelia, jazz, and pop.

Prince was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and developed an interest in music at an early age, writing his first song at age seven. After recording songs with his cousin's band 94 East, 19-year-old Prince recorded several unsuccessful demo tapes before releasing his debut album For You in 1978, under the guidance of manager Owen Husney. His 1979 album Prince went platinum due to the success of the singles "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover". His next three records—Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982)—continued his success, showcasing Prince's trademark of prominently sexual lyrics and incorporation of elements of funk, dance, and rock music. In 1984, he began referring to his backup band as The Revolution and released Purple Rain, which served as the soundtrack to his film debut of the same name. A prolific songwriter, Prince in the 1980s wrote songs for and produced work by many other acts, often under pseudonyms.

After releasing the albums Around the World in a Day (1985) and Parade (1986), The Revolution disbanded and Prince released the critically acclaimed double album Sign "O" the Times (1987) as a solo artist. He released three more solo albums before debuting The New Power Generation band in 1991. He changed his stage name in 1993 to an unpronounceable symbol, also known as the "Love Symbol". He then began releasing new albums at a faster pace to remove himself from contractual obligations to Warner Bros.; he released five records between 1994 and 1996 before signing with Arista Records in 1998. In 2000, he began referring to himself as "Prince" again. He has released 15 albums since then, including his latest, HITnRUN Phase One, which was first released exclusively on the Tidal streaming service on September 7, 2015 before being released on CD on September 15, 2015 by NPG Records.

Prince has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year of his eligibility.

A Sonic Compass: A Journey Through Prince's N·E·W·S

by Giulia Bianchi
November 2, 2023

It is indisputable that musician, composer, singer, actor, and producer Prince Rogers Nelson has been one of the most prolific and committed musical artists of all time. With an enduring career spanning over five decades, the virtuoso mastered a plethora of instruments, perpetually exploring and trailblazing new creative horizons. His music is steeped in a timeless fusion of musical genres which is the trademark of his unique and abiding spirit. 2003: The Year of Instrumental Releases A curious ...

Radio & Podcasts

Purple Jazz: A Tribute to Prince, Part 2

by Ludovico Granvassu
June 27, 2023

This week we look into both the jazz side of Prince, including the unexpressed potentials of his collaboration with Miles Davis, and covers of his music by notable jazz players, from Nina Simone to Joshua Redman. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Nina Simone “Sign 'O' the Times (Outtake)" A Single Woman (Expanded Version) (Rhino/Elektra) 0:16 Host talks 5:50 Malcolm Braff “Sexy M.F." Inside (Enja) 7:00 Host ...

Radio & Podcasts

Purple Jazz: A Tribute to Prince, Part 1

by Ludovico Granvassu
June 20, 2023

Prince who would have turned 65 this year. He may have left us over seven years ago, but the influence of his music continues unequalled, including on the world of jazz, with which he's often flirted. Here a selection of some intriguing examples of “purple jazz," including some extended jamming by Prince himself. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)"0:00 Helen Sung “Alphabet Street" Helenistique (Fresh Sound/New Talent) 0:16 ...

Book Review

Prince: Let’s Go Crazy (Prince and the Making of Purple Rain)

by Nenad Georgievski
April 23, 2016

Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain Alan Light 304 pages ISBN: 1476776725 Atria Books 2014 Musician Prince is one of the enduring enigmas of today's pop music. Throughout the years this eclectic, mercurial and prolific genius has dazzled, enraged and confused audiences and music critics alike both with his anarchic approach to music making, writing songs that oozed with sexuality, keeping the temperature rising with explicit shows, which ...

Interview

Kind of Purple: Jazz Musicians On Prince

by Kurt Gottschalk
April 21, 2016

"Do you know who Prince kinda reminds me of, particularly as a pianist? Duke! Yeah, he's the Duke Ellington of the eighties to my way of thinking."--Miles Davis The tops of the pop charts isn't where we often expect to find genius. Brilliant performers sometimes, expert attention grabbers maybe more often, but it's not generally where ground is broken. Prince may not have topped the singles charts in some time, but then the charts aren't what ...

Live Review

Prince at Mohegan Sun Arena

by Scott H. Thompson
January 4, 2014

Prince Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, CT December 29, 2013 I don't know where he finds 'em... but Prince has put together an incredible 20-piece band fronted by the female power trio of 3rd Eye Girl. He tore the roof off of Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena during a 3-night run December 27-29, 2013. At the end of the jam, there were about 12 horn players onstage with a rhythm section, backup singers and ...

Recording

Saxophonist Aaron Liddard (Prince, Amy Winehouse & Maceo Parker) releases 'Nylon Man' on October 7, 2022

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
August 9, 2022

October 7, 2022 Release Date: Nylon Man Nylon Man is the new album by saxophonist-keyboardist-arranger-composer Aaron Liddard, released on 7th October on the British independent label Havis House. Featuring a plethora of guest contributions from the likes of Carleen Anderson, Omar Puente and Miss Baby Sol, Nylon Man is 12 tracks of jazz by a UK-based artist, influenced by music of Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean and Africa. In his prolific and wide-ranging career, saxophonist-keyboardist-arranger-composer Aaron Liddard has ...
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Recording

Hear Adam McIntyre's Tribute To Prince, Miles Davis; Thirteen-Minute "Voodoo" Taken From Atlanta Guitarist's Third Album Recorded During Pandemic

Source: Fanatic Promotion
September 4, 2020

Blues guitarist Adam McIntyre first started jumping on stages at just fourteen-years-old and is now best known as the front man for Atlanta-based rockers The Pinx. During the pandemic, McIntyre has created a trilogy of solo albums, the third of which, Black Planet, a tribute to Prince and Miles Davis, will be released on Sept. 18th. The thirteen-minute album closer “Voodoo" premieres today. Scroll down to listen. Adam McIntyre discusses his three-album pandemic trilogy: “I slept in the first morning ...
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Music Industry

Lessons From Prince And His Struggles With Digital Music

Source: HypeBot
May 3, 2016

In addition to his legacy as an artist and performer, Prince also had, throughout his career, a complex relationship with the world of digital music distribution, and while he certainly tried many different tactics when it came to making his music available to the public, it's unclear just how successful he was. Guest Post by Zach Graves on Techdirt Undeniably, Prince’s death last week marked the loss of a true musical genius and maverick. In his life, he was known for being ...
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Music Industry

Prince, An Artist Who Controlled Every Aspect Of His Music And Career, LEFT NO WILL

Source: HypeBot
April 28, 2016

Prince famously controlled of every aspect of his music and career. But his legacy may be left to warring relatives and the courts. That's the almost inevitable result of news that broke yesterday: Prince left no will. Prince's sister Tyka Nelson has filed documents in probate court indicating that she believes the singer did not leave a will and requesting that the court appoint a special administrator for the estate. According to The Los Angeles Times, Nelson said her brother left ...
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Trends

Prince Fans Pay Tribute, Buying 1 Million Tracks, 240000 Albums In U.S. On Day Of His Death

Source: HypeBot
April 24, 2016

U.S. fans paid tribute to Prince by purchasing an unprecedented number of his albums and songs on the day of his untimely death. 230,000 albums and 1 million tracks. The breakdown: Prince Album Sales: Total Prince Album Sales from April 15, 2016 through April 20, 2016: 4,263 Total Prince Album Sales on April 21: 231,834 Top 5 Selling Prince Albums on April 21, 2016:TitleAlbum SalesThe Very Best Of Prince94,621Purple Rain55,306The Hits/The B-Sides22,345199911,640Ultimate Prince8,985 Prince Song Sales: Total Prince Song Sales ...
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Music Industry

My Phone Call With Prince

Source: HypeBot
September 2, 2015

A notable figure in the industry for not only his music but also his business smarts, Prince is continuing to stand his ground with a zero tolerance policy where copyright is concerned, as he revealed in a recent phone call with Scott Goodman of YourListen.com. By Scott Goodman of YourListen.com My morning ritual usually begins with coffee, toast, and a ripe banana, but, today was different. Today... I might be talking to a music legend. I threw on my lucky black T-Shirt, ...
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Festival

Festival International de Jazz de Port-au-Prince 2014

Source: Michael Ricci
June 27, 2014

By Shannon J. Effinger Experiencing the rhythms of Haitian music for the first time in college was overwhelming to the senses. It was perhaps my first visceral connection to both jazz and my own Trinidadian heritage. My upbringing deprived me of the latter being culturally assimilated into the American culture. Visiting Haiti for the first time in January brought back those memories and certainly created new ones at this year's International Jazz Festival of Port-au-Prince. This year's line-up included acts ...
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Performance / Tour

Prince: "Welcome 2 Canada" Tour

Source: JamBase
November 2, 2011

CANADIAN TOUR STARTS NOVEMBER 25 IN TORONTO Prince has announced a series of Canadian tour dates dubbed “Welcome 2 Canada." The 11-date trek kicks off with two nights at Air Canada Centre in Toronto on November 25-26, and will hit Halifax, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton and more. The tour ends on December 17 in Victoria, BC. Tickets go on sale starting Friday, November 4 via Ticketmaster. Prince “Welcome 2 Canada" Tour

11/25/11 Fri Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON 11/26/11 Sat Air ...
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Performance / Tour

Prince Schedules Shows In North and South Carolina

Source: JamBase
March 12, 2011

BRING FOOT SPRAY CAUSE IT'S GONNA GET FUNKY Prince has announced he will play six shows in North and South Carolina. The run of shows starts March 21 at the Colonial Center in Columbia, SC, and will hit Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Greenville before wrapping up in Charleston on March 30. Tickets for Raleigh and Charlotte are on sale starting March 14 at 10 AM ET, Greensboro is on sale March 14 at 12 PM ET, and Columbia, Greenville and ...
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Performance / Tour

Prince | Oakland | Review

Source: JamBase
February 24, 2011

By Dennis Cook Prince :: 02.21.11 :: Oracle Arena :: Oakland, CA Prince performs again at Oracle Arena tonight, February 23, and tomorrow, February 24. As the lights dropped, the unmistakable voice of Prince came over the PA: “It's now official. This is the best place in the world to be tonight." While it would take a little while for that pronouncement to prove true, by night's end there was little doubt that the Minneapolis powerhouse could electrify and delight ...
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