Prince (March 21, 1986) Soul Cities: Minneapolis Dominates Billboard – Star and Tribune Brief

A snapshot of the Minneapolis Sound at its mid-’80s peak, as one-quarter of Billboard’s Black-music Top 20 is tied to Twin Cities artists including Prince, Jam & Lewis, and others.

SOURCE DETAILS 

Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune

Date: March 21, 1986 Country: United States

Section / Pages: Entertainment News Brief

THE STORY This brief highlights the remarkable dominance of Minneapolis artists on Billboard’s Black-music charts. One in four songs in the Top 20 is connected to the Twin Cities, with Jam & Lewis holding the No. 1 and No. 2 spots (“What Have You Done for Me Lately” by Janet Jackson and “Saturday Love” by Cherrelle & Alexander O’Neal). Prince and The Revolution chart at No. 5 with “Kiss,” while Meli’sa Morgan’s version of Prince’s “Do Me Baby” sits at No. 16. The Jets and Force M.D.’s add to the local presence. A companion note announces a local music seminar featuring figures connected to Prince’s circle.

CONTEXT & NOTES By March 1986, the Minneapolis Sound — driven by Prince’s success and the production powerhouse of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis — had become a national force in R&B and pop. This brief captures the moment when the city’s music scene moved from regional curiosity to chart-dominating phenomenon, inspiring local musicians and demonstrating the commercial impact of Prince’s influence.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Event: Chart dominance update + local music seminar announcement Era: 1986 – Peak Minneapolis Sound period Tone: Celebratory and community-focused Photography: Text-only brief Audience: Local music fans and industry observers

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS A single-column entertainment brief titled “Soul cities” detailing Minneapolis’ chart success, followed by a short note on a local music seminar. Classic mid-1980s newspaper layout with straightforward reporting on the national impact of the Twin Cities scene.

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