Prince recently sat for an extremely rare interview with his hometown paper, The Minnesota Star Tribune. The extensive 2-hour chat followed back to back shows from the mononymous mega-star. He focused specifically on his legacy and his interest in looking toward the future during the discussion; he is particularly concerned with mentoring his group, 3rdEyeGirl. The group has been playing with him since joining New Power Generation in 2010 and features drummer Hannah Ford-Welton, guitarist Donna Grantis and bassist Ida Nielsen. They continue a trend of cultivating new talent, that has remained a hallmark of Prince's monumental career. Giving a curt bit of insight on his trajectory at this point in his musical evolution, Prince offered:
“I don’t have time for old people,” he insisted. “I want to work with young people.”
Continuing, he deferred to 3rdEyeGirl:
“I have my legacy,” he said. “It’s time for their legacy. They’re a Minneapolis band, too.”
Prince reportedly dodged questions on current events in favor of discussing mentor Larry Graham and delving into his latest ventures, which include a video for his recent single "FixUrLifeUp" and enough music for 3rdEyeGirl to release a full LP. The group has already dropped three singles, including two produced by Prince. Their project is slated to arrive via Kobalt Music Group later this year.
His dedication to forward movement is apparent not only as he plays cheering section for his purple protégés, but also evident in the changes he has made to his touring outfit; the entourage and production budgets for his shows have decreased as Prince's ticket prices have increased - a change he defends as one that allows him to pay his band more than he ever has, ultimately securing the future of the funk to come. Whether fans agree or disagree with the price point, Prince remains a household name for a reason. His rock solid legacy ensures that venues will continue to sell out. His attention to detail as the architect of an air-tight live show and timeless sound guarantees that his disciples will be tearing the house down for decades to come.
>>>Read the full piece on Prince via The Minnesota Star Tribune
