The Minneapolis rapper and longtime Prince acquaintance who became one of the first hip-hop artists signed to Paisley Park Records, bringing rap into the Prince universe in the early 1990s OVERVIEW David “TC” Ellis (born in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area) is a rapper, singer, and educator. He is best known for his 1991 album True Confessions, the first rap-focused release on Prince’s Paisley Park Records. TC had known Prince since their teenage years in Minneapolis. EARLY LIFE

The legendary gospel and soul icon who formed a deep, late-career creative partnership with Prince, resulting in some of the most powerful and spiritually rich music of both artists’ careers. OVERVIEW Mavis Staples (born July 10, 1939) is an American rhythm & blues and gospel singer. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the legendary family group The Staple Singers. In her later years, she became one of Prince’s most cherished collaborators. PRINCE CONNECTION Prince was a l

The unmistakable, high-energy lead vocalist of Missing Persons and one of the most striking figures of the early 1980s new wave scene. Later signed to Prince’s Paisley Park Records OVERVIEW Dale Frances Bozzio (née Consalvi, born March 2, 1955) is an American singer known for her bold fashion, distinctive high-pitched vocal style, and charismatic stage presence. She rose to fame as co-founder and frontwoman of Missing Persons, blending new wave, rock, and pop. EARLY LIFE & MU

The gifted singer with a powerful, multi-octave voice who collaborated closely with Prince in the late 1980s and early 1990s, most notably on the Batman soundtrack and her own Paisley Park-associated recordings. Elisa Fiorillo (born September 28, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, and voice actress. She first gained attention in the late 1980s with her dance-pop and R&B style, blending soulful vocals with pop accessibility. PRINCE CONNECTION Prince was impressed by Elis

Prince’s groundbreaking backing band that helped define the Minneapolis Sound and elevated his music to global superstardom, officially taking shape with the 1999 album. OVERVIEW The Revolution was Prince’s primary live and studio band from 1980 to 1986. Known for their tight musicianship, diverse influences (funk, rock, pop, R&B, new wave), and flamboyant style, they were central to Prince’s most commercially and artistically successful period. FORMATION & LINEUPS Early / 19

The Grammy-winning Scottish singer who transformed from wholesome pop darling to sultry dance artist through her bold collaborations with Prince in the mid-to-late 1980s. OVERVIEW Sheena Shirley Easton (née Orr, born April 27, 1959) is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the early 1980s with massive hits like “Morning Train (9 to 5)” and the James Bond theme “For Your Eyes Only,” before evolving her image with Prince’s help into a more

The global pop icon whose orbit briefly intersected with Prince’s in the late 1980s and early 1990s, resulting in one of the most talked-about (and controversial) collaborations of both artists’ careers. OVERVIEW Madonna Louise Ciccone (born August 16, 1958) is one of the best-selling and most influential recording artists of all time. Known for constant reinvention, provocative imagery, and boundary-pushing pop, she dominated the charts throughout the 1980s and 1990s. EARLY

The virtuosic Canadian bassist who became one of Prince’s most important musical collaborators and a core member of his bands from 1996 until his passing, known for her melodic, funky, and technically brilliant playing. Rhonda Smith (born 1970) is a Canadian bassist, singer, and songwriter. She is widely respected as one of the finest bassists in modern funk, jazz, and rock music, celebrated for her expressive tone, groove, and improvisational skills. PRINCE CONNECTION Prince

The dynamic, soulful vocalist with a powerhouse voice who became one of Prince’s most prominent featured singers in the New Power Generation during his final years. Liv Warfield (born May 10, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, and performer from California. Known for her rich, gritty, and emotionally charged vocal style, she brought a bold, contemporary edge to Prince’s later live shows and recordings PRINCE CONNECTION Prince discovered Liv in 2012 and quickly integrate

Minneapolis funk-rock band and the very first act signed to Prince’s Paisley Park Records label, mentored and supported by Prince and produced by his bassist BrownMark. Mazarati was an R&B/funk band formed in Minneapolis in the early-to-mid 1980s. They blended funk, rock, and soul with a high-energy Minneapolis Sound style. Their self-titled debut album remains their most notable release and a key early example of the expanded Paisley Park family. EARLY LIFE & MUSICAL BEGINNI