Emmanuel Duncan recaps the Prince Celebration 2026 Block Party and Sing Along, which brought fans, neighbors and music lovers together in downtown Minneapolis for a free celebration of one of the most iconic artists the world has ever known.
Prince
Posted inNational
Jellybean Johnson, Minneapolis Sound Pioneer and Beloved Mentor, Dies at 69
Jellybean Johnson, a founding architect of the Minneapolis Sound and beloved member of The Time, has died at age 69. His legacy spans iconic hits, groundbreaking guitar and drum work, production credits across pop and R and B, and decades of mentorship that shaped Minnesota’s music community.
Posted inObituaries
Remembering Pepé Willie
The Minneapolis Music community has lost a legend. Linster Herbert Willie, Jr., affectionately known to the world as Pepé, passed away Sunday, June 1, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis after a brief illness. He was 76.
Posted inEvents
Celebrate the music of Prince with Chase & Ovation at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Chase & Ovation, the world’s premier Prince tribute band, will be performing a three-night run of their high-energy celebration of the Purple One’s legacy at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres on April 10-12, 2025.
Posted inEvents
Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ Returns to Theaters for One-Night-Only Dolby Cinema Experience
Warner Bros. Discovery and Dolby have re-released Prince’s 1984 rock musical “Purple Rain” exclusively in Dolby Cinemas, promising an unparalleled visual and auditory experience with Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
Posted inMusic
Dante Coleman’s journey from Minneapolis to national touring DJ
Dante Coleman, also known as Dante’s Enferno, is a Minneapolis-based DJ who has carved out his own lane by adapting to any room and reading his audience’s vibe to create unforgettable sets.
Posted inTelevision
Sly Lives: The Burden of Black Genius and Questlove’s Tribute to a Legend
A new documentary about Sly Stone, a musical genius who revolutionized the soundscape of the 60s and 70s, offers an in-depth look at his life and legacy, exploring his struggles with mental health, addiction, and the challenges that ultimately led him to step away from the public eye.
Posted inEvents
Experience the Sonic Brilliance of Chief Adjuah at the Dakota
Chief Adjuah, a two-time Edison Award winner and six-time Grammy nominee, will be performing his genre-defying “Stretch Music” at the Dakota on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Posted inLocal & State
In memoriam – Among those we lost in 2024
Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson, American singer and sister of Prince Tyka Evene Nelson, pioneering physician and devoted family matriarch Susan Ellis Crutchfield, tireless champion of racial equity and social justice Christopher Ellis Crutchfield, and Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchel have all tragically passed away.
Posted inLocal & State
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Welcomes David Hunter II as New Executive Director
David Hunter II has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, a cornerstone of North Minneapolis, and is excited to return to his childhood home and continue the legacy of empowerment and education.
Posted inMusic
Win Tickets to “A Christmas Celebration with The Steeles”
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder is giving away two pairs of tickets to A Christmas Celebration with The Steeles, a magical holiday event featuring the world-renowned Steele family, at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis.
Posted inLocal & State
Tyka Nelson’s Cause of Death Revealed: Prince’s Sister Leaves Behind a Legacy of Music and Family
Tyka Nelson, the younger sister of music legend Prince, passed away at the age of 64 due to cardiac arrest caused by congestive heart failure and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, after suffering from the condition for at least four months.
Posted inArts + Culture
The mic is yours at Uptown’s SNAPPED
SNAPPED is a new open-mic sensation in Uptown Minneapolis, founded by Emmy award-winning composer Ryan Bynum and nationally renowned drummer Brandon Johnson.
Posted inNews
Gov. Walz rocks DNC with rousing acceptance speech
Gov. Tim Walz delivered a spirited address to accept the vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
Posted inArts + Culture
New book explores the life, music of local legend Cornbread Harris
Andrea Swensson’s new book, ‘Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs, and Salvation of Cornbread Harris,’ tells the story of 97-year-old living legend James Samuel Harris, Jr.
Posted inArts + Culture
Celebration 2024 honored Prince’s legacy with unreleased songs, live performances, and interviews
Celebration 2024, the sixth annual event honoring the life, music, and legacy of Prince, featured a Paisley Park listening session, a screening of the Purple Rain Tour and more.
Posted inArts + Culture
The sound craved by Prince: The Flyt Tyme horns
The Flyt Tyme Horns, a band that competed with Grand Central and other local bands for musical supremacy in Minneapolis.
Supported
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Fentanyl-related deaths up 400% since Prince’s death
Prince’s death from fentanyl poisoning has led to a public forum and panel discussion to address the opioid crisis, with panelists discussing the dangers of fentanyl.
Posted inArts + Culture
André Cymone to rekindle timeless funk in new music
André Cymone’s new album is a testament to his love for funk and his desire to bring it back to its roots.
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Paisley Park celebrates 40th anniversary of ‘Purple Rain’ with tours and exclusive events
Paisley Park is hosting Celebration 2024 from June 20-24, featuring tours, never-before-seen concert footage, panel discussions.