New Power Generation

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New Power Generation
Origin Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Genres
Years active1990–2013, 2015, 2017
MembersMorris Hayes
Tommy Barbarella
Damon Dickson
Levi Seacer, Jr.
Tony M.
Michael Bland
Kirk Johnson
Sonny T.
Andy Allo
Past membersChance Howard
Liv Warfield
Josh Dunham
John Blackwell
Cora Coleman Dunham
Rosie Gaines
Elisa Fiorillo
Mayte Garcia
Rhonda Smith
Kat Dyson
Mike Scott
Renato Neto
Frederic Yonnet
Shelby J.
Ida Nielsen
Donna Grantis
Cassandra O'Neal
Prince
Andrew Gouche

The New Power Generation, also known as the NPG, was the backing band of musician Prince from 1990 to 2013. They were replaced by 3rdeyegirl as his backing band in 2013. In 2015, the New Power Generation reunited as Prince's backing band for his final studio album before his death, Hit n Run Phase Two . They reunited once again in 2017 for a US and European tour.

Contents

History

The phrase "Welcome to the New Power Generation" was mentioned on the opening track of 1988's Lovesexy . New Power Generation was used for the first time as a band name in the 1990 film Graffiti Bridge , and a song entitled "New Power Generation" appeared on the accompanying soundtrack album. [1]

The New Power Generation debuted live during the Nude Tour in 1990 and on record on the 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls . The band consisted of holdovers from the Nude Tour: Michael Bland (drums), Levi Seacer, Jr. (guitar), Rosie Gaines (keyboards and backing vocals), Tony M. (lead raps and dancing), Kirk Johnson (percussion and dancing), and Damon Dickson (dancing), along with two new members Tommy Barbarella (keyboards) and Sonny T. (bass). Rosie Gaines left the band after the Diamonds and Pearls Tour and was replaced by keyboardist Morris Hayes.

When Prince began his formal dispute with Warner Bros. and changed his stage name to an unpronounceable symbol in 1993, the NPG became a side-project for Prince, allowing him to release music outside of his contract.

The NPG's debut album, Goldnigga , featured Tony M. as lead vocalist/rapper. [1] The album relied heavily on rap, while the music itself was reminiscent of the 1970s funk. Prince participated heavily in writing and performing the music, while Tony wrote and performed raps. Prince provided co-lead vocals on two songs, "Black M.F. in the House" and "Johnny", and the two were often performed by him in his own concerts and after shows.

A reduced NPG returned to the Prince fold when he began performing under the symbolic moniker in early 1994, backing him on The Gold Experience . The rappers and dancers were let go, and Levi Seacer left the band as well. Given an expanded role in the band was dancer Mayte Garcia who provided backing and Spanish vocals. This incarnation released Exodus in 1995. Prince again took a role behind the scenes, adopting the guise of the masked "Tora Tora" and performing lead vocals on several tracks, sometimes with an altered voice. His participation in this version of the NPG was much more apparent. Although several raps were recorded for the album, they were left out of the final release, and the focus was more on funk.

In 1996, longstanding members Michael Bland, Tommy Barbarella, and Sonny T. were fired and a new band was formed for touring. Guitarists Kat Dyson and Mike Scott, along with bassist Rhonda Smith joined Morris Hayes and Kirk Johnson, who re-joined the band to play drums.

In 1998, another NPG album was released titled Newpower Soul (modifying a song title from Exodus). In fact, a spoken outtake from Exodus mentions the upcoming album, indicating its planning stages. Prince features prominently on the cover and liner notes and provides lead vocals on all songs. Unlike the two previous releases, the album relies heavily on drum programming by Kirk Johnson and features input from Larry Graham and Doug E. Fresh.

A fourth album, Peace, due to be released in 2001, never materialized and although a few songs have been made public through limited-release singles at concerts ("Peace" / "2045: Radical Man" and "The Daisy Chain" / "Gamillah") and through Prince's former official website, NPG Music Club. The songs were later included on the Prince albums The Slaughterhouse and The Chocolate Invasion .

The band since has been a "revolving door" of musicians, who usually stay for a couple years before being replaced. It is often nebulous as to who is actually an 'official' member.

In 2010, three former members of the original New Power Generation, drummer Michael Bland, keyboardist Tommy Barbarella and bass player Sonny T., became members of Nick Jonas and the Administration (a side project of Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers). [2]

In 2013, NPG singer Elisa Fiorillo (Dease) formed a duo with Nashville-based guitarist Tyler Reese, called the Dease & Reese Project, and in 2014 released the album Life in 20 (REMU Records). Fiorillo continued to perform with Prince.

The NPG collaborated with Prince once more in 2015 on what would be his last studio album, Hit n Run Phase Two .

After Prince's untimely death in 2016, the band reunited in 2017 and 2019 for a US and European Prince tribute tour. [3] [4]

Discography

This is the discography of the New Power Generation, credited as a separate entity from Prince.

Albums credited to Prince and the New Power Generation

YearAlbumPeak chart positions Certifications
US
[5]
UK
[6] [7]
1991 Diamonds and Pearls 32
1992 Love Symbol Album 51
2002 One Nite Alone... Live!
2003 C-Note
2007 Planet Earth 3
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Albums credited to the New Power Generation

YearAlbumPeak chart positionsAdditional information
US
[5]
UK
[6] [7]
1993 Gold Nigga Tony M. performs lead vocals.
1995 Exodus 11Sonny T. performs lead vocals.
1998 Newpower Soul 2238Prince performs lead vocals. Prince's symbol (stylized) and portrait is on the front cover.

Albums credited to the NPG Orchestra

Band Members:

YearAlbum details
1997 Kamasutra
  • Released: February 14, 1997 (limited edition cassette) [10]
  • Label: NPG

Albums with contributions by the New Power Generation

YearAlbumPeak chart positionsAdditional information
US
[5]
UK
[6] [7]
1990 Graffiti Bridge 61Unnamed New Power Generation members provided backing vocals on the song "New Power Generation".
1994 Blankman Includes "Super Hero", credited to the New Power Generation and the Steeles.
1995 The Gold Experience Produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince with the New Power Generation.
1996 Girl 6 75Includes "Count the Days", from Exodus and title track is credited to the New Power Generation, with Prince on lead vox.
2004 The Chocolate Invasion The New Power Generation is credited for the track "Gamillah".
The Slaughterhouse The New Power Generation is credited for the tracks "Peace", "2045: Radical Man", and "The Daisy Chain".
2006 3121 19The New Power Generation is credited for "shouts" on the song "Lolita".

Singles credited to Prince and the New Power Generation

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
US
[11]
US R&B
[12]
US Dance
[13]
UK
[6] [7]
1991"Gett Off"21614Diamonds and Pearls
"Cream"115
"Diamonds and Pearls"
3125
1992"Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
231419
"Insatiable"773
"Thunder"28
"Sexy MF"/"Strollin'"66764Love Symbol Album/Diamonds and Pearls
"My Name Is Prince"
362597Love Symbol Album
"My Name Is Prince" (remixes)
51N/A
"7"76127Love Symbol Album
"The Morning Papers"
446852
"Damn U"32
1993"Nothing Compares 2 U"62The Hits/The B-Sides; B-side to "Peach"
2002"Days of Wild"N/A
2004"Controversy (Live in Hawaii)"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles credited to the New Power Generation

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
US R&B
[12]
AUS
[14]
UK
[6] [7]
1993"2gether"Gold Nigga
1994"Get Wild"19Exodus
"Count the Days"
"Super Hero" featuring the Steeles Blankman: Music from the Motion Picture
1995"The Good Life"3229Exodus
1996"Girl 6"78Girl 6
1997"The Good Life" (re-issue)15Exodus
1998"The War"N/A
"The One"44Newpower Soul
"Come On"65
2001"Peace"/"2045: Radical Man"The Slaughterhouse
"The Daisy Chain"/"Gamillah"The Slaughterhouse/The Chocolate Invasion
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles with contributions by the New Power Generation

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbumAdditional information
US
[11]
US R&B
[12]
UK
[6] [7]
1990"New Power Generation"642726Graffiti BridgeThe New Power Generation provides backing vox
1995"Purple Medley"847433N/AThe New Power Generation contributes additional music

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Diamonds and Pearls</i> 1991 studio album by Prince and the New Power Generation

Diamonds and Pearls is the thirteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the first with his backing band The New Power Generation. It was released on October 1, 1991, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album produced several hit singles, including "Gett Off", "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night", "Insatiable", and the title track. Dancers Lori Werner and Robia LaMorte, known as "Diamond" and "Pearl" respectively, appeared on the holographic cover. Diamond and Pearl also appeared in the music videos for "Cream", "Strollin'", "Gett Off", and the title track, and also participated in Prince's Diamonds and Pearls Tour.

Sonny T. is an American bass player. He was a member of The New Power Generation, Prince's recording and stage band, from 1991–1996.

<i>Love Symbol</i> 1992 studio album by Prince

Love Symbol is the fourteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the second of two that featured his backing band the New Power Generation. It was released on October 13, 1992, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. It was originally conceived as a "fantasy rock soap opera" with various spoken segues throughout, and contains elements of R&B, funk, pop, rock, and soul.

<i>Girl 6</i> (album) 1996 soundtrack album by Prince

Girl 6 is the soundtrack album to the Spike Lee film of the same name. All songs were written by Prince. It was released on March 19, 1996, by Warner Bros. Records. The album consists of mostly previously released songs from Prince and related artists such as the Family, Vanity 6, and the New Power Generation. The three previously unreleased tracks are "She Spoke 2 Me", "Don't Talk 2 Strangers" and "Girl 6", which was newly recorded for the soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levi Seacer Jr.</span> American musician (born 1961)

Levi Seacer Jr. is an American musician. He was an early associate of Sheila E. when he was tapped by Prince to form a new touring band after the demise of The Revolution in 1986. Seacer became the band's bassist, as well as a backing vocalist. Later, he began collaborating with Prince as a songwriter on several projects. Seacer was a founding member of Prince's The New Power Generation in 1991, switching from bass to the band's guitarist. He remained a member of the band until 1993, and also participated in the later version of Madhouse. After leaving the Prince camp in 1993, Seacer has worked as a producer and session musician on various projects, most notably the gospel music ensemble Sounds of Blackness.

<i>Exodus</i> (New Power Generation album) 1995 studio album by New Power Generation

Exodus is the second studio album by the New Power Generation. Although the track listing boasts 21 tracks, many of them are narrative segues, leaving only nine actual songs. Of those, one is an instrumental. The album spawned three singles, however only one was released in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cream (Prince song)</span> 1991 single by Prince and the New Power Generation

"Cream" is a song by American singer-songwriter Prince and his backing band the New Power Generation, released in September 1991 as the second single from Prince's 13th studio album, Diamonds and Pearls (1991). In a 2004 MTV special, Prince joked that he wrote the song while looking at himself in the mirror. "Cream" became Prince's fifth and last number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top for two weeks. The song entered the top 10 in 15 other countries worldwide, peaking within the top three in Australia, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. Its music video was directed by Rebecca Blake.

Rosie Gaines is an American singer, songwriter and record producer from Pittsburg, California. Gaines is a former band member of Prince's group, The New Power Generation. She duetted with singer Prince on the hit song "Diamonds and Pearls". She released a number of dance hits, the most notable being "Closer Than Close", which made the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gett Off</span> 1991 single by Prince and the New Power Generation

"Gett Off" is a song written and produced by American musician Prince, released in June 1991 as the lead single from his thirteenth album, Diamonds and Pearls (1991). The album was his first with his backing band the New Power Generation. "Gett Off" was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number four in the United Kingdom; the maxi-single was too long and pricey to appear on the UK Singles Chart, so this release was classified as an album, peaking at number 33 on the UK Albums Chart in August 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamonds and Pearls (song)</span> 1991 single by Prince and The New Power Generation

"Diamonds and Pearls" is the title track of American musician Prince and The New Power Generation's 1991 album and was released as a single in November 1991. The song is an upbeat ballad, given a rock edge with guitar and heavy drumming. It also features the vocals of NPG member Rosie Gaines. The ballad is an expression of love and not lust, as is the theme on some of the other singles from the album. It was a top 10 hit, reaching number three in the US and the top spot on the R&B chart. The pearls in the accompanying music video come from Connie Parente, a Los Angeles jewelry collector and designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Power Generation (song)</span> 1990 single by Prince

"New Power Generation", or "N.P.G.", is a song by American musician Prince from the 1990 album and film Graffiti Bridge. It is an anthem for his backing band, The New Power Generation, who were officially co-credited on his album covers for a time, and continued to back him up until 2013, albeit with a changing lineup. The song saw minimal chart attention, and was not as successful as its predecessor, "Thieves in the Temple".

Michael Bland is an American musician best known as a drummer for Prince starting in 1989. He was with Prince during The New Power Generation era and played with him live and on albums for seven years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexy MF</span> 1992 single by Prince

"Sexy MF" is a song by American musician Prince and the New Power Generation, released as a single from their 1992 album Love Symbol. The music and most of the lyrics were composed by Prince, while Levi Seacer Jr. came up with the chorus and the song's title. Tony M. also delivers a rap, which he wrote. The song and its refrain "You sexy motherfucker" caused some controversy, and edited versions were produced for radio, the music video and the US version of the album. The song was recorded in Paisley Park Studios' Studio A in December 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Name Is Prince</span> 1992 single by Prince and the New Power Generation

"My Name Is Prince" is a song by American musician Prince and the New Power Generation, released as the second single from the 1992 Love Symbol album. The song is about Prince himself and his musical prowess. The rap sequence is performed by NPG member Tony M. The intro to the song features vocal samples from Prince's earlier songs "I Wanna Be Your Lover", "Partyup", and "Controversy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Morning Papers</span> 1993 single by Prince and the New Power Generation

"The Morning Papers" is a song by American musician Prince and the New Power Generation from their 1992 album Love Symbol. It was released as the fourth worldwide single from the album in March 1993; the B-side is "Live 4 Love", a track from Prince's previous album, Diamonds and Pearls. The UK CD single included "Love 2 the 9's" as well, also from Love Symbol.

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<i>Who I Am</i> (Nick Jonas & the Administration album) 2010 studio album by Nick Jonas & the Administration

Who I Am is the only studio album from Nick Jonas & the Administration. It was released on February 2, 2010, in the US. The group made its live debut performing a single of the same name on the Grammy Nominations Concert Live special on December 2, 2009, on CBS. Jonas cut the album in eight days with producer John Fields, who also played bass. Additional members of the Administration include drummer Michael Bland and keyboardist Tommy Barbarella, both of whom played in The New Power Generation. Guitarist David Ryan Harris played on the album, but a third former NPG member, Sonny Thompson, replaced him on live shows.

The Diamonds and Pearls Tour was a concert tour by American recording artist Prince and The New Power Generation promoting his Diamonds and Pearls album, released the previous year. The tour itinerary were scheduled dates in Asia, Europe, and for the first time, Australia. Like several of his then-recent tours, Prince chose not to tour the United States, the exception being the Lovesexy Tour in 1988. It would be 1993's Act I Tour before Prince did a full tour of the United States.

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