Paisley Park Reveals Celebration 2023 Programming

MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY STOKLEY, SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS, SHELBY J, A NEW ARTIST SHOWCASE, AND SPECIAL MUSIC TRIBUTE TO TINA TURNER

A ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION WITH CHAKA KHAN REFLECTING ON PRINCE, HER INDUCTION INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME, AND THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER ALBUM, COME 2 MY HOUSE

DJ D-NICE TO DJ THE INAUGURAL SEXY MF PARTY

  DJ RASHIDA TO DJ A TRIBUTE 

TO PRINCE AND TINA TURNER

       EXCLUSIVE PRESENTATION OF 

UNRELEASED MUSIC FROM THE PRINCE VAULT

PANELS INCLUDE: 

HIP-HOP 50: PRINCE'S EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIP-HOP, PRESENTED BY THE SOURCE MAGAZINE 

FEATURING CHUCK D AND DOUG E FRESH

7 PANEL: AN EXPLORATION OF PRINCE AND 

THE SIGNIFICANCE BEHIND THE NUMBER 7

FAM PANEL: A DISCUSSION ON PRINCE’S LEGACY 

WITH FAMS NATIONWIDE

June 5, 2023– This weekend, Paisley Park’s annual Celebration kicks off in memory of musical and cultural icon Prince. The star-studded four-day event, running June 8 - 11 will feature exclusive presentations of unreleased music from the famous Prince Vault and special appearances by and conversations with Grammy-winning artist Chaka Khan and Hip-Hop legends Chuck D and Doug E. Fresh. Guests will be treated to special live performances from powerhouse Minnesota super group Sounds of Blackness, R&B star Stokley of Mint Condition, artist, DJ, and producer D-Nice who will DJ the inaugural Sexy MF Party on Friday night, members of Prince’s band New Power Generation (NPG), Prince protegé Shelby J, Minneapolis youth choir Known MPLS, and an exciting showcase of new artists. Prince's longtime DJ and collaborator DJ Rashida is set to pay tribute to both Prince and Tina Turner. Celebration will also include a special Prince Legacy Tribute to one of the founding members of NPG—the beloved vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rosie Gaines.

Prince and Chaka Khan first met in 1977, when a playful young Prince was in Sausalito, California recording his debut album, For You, at the Record Plant. The two artists enjoyed a decades-long friendship and musical partnership that included her Grammy-winning cover of his song “I Feel For You” and her album Come 2 My House album released on NPG Records. Chaka will return to Paisley Park this Celebration to speak about her unique connection to Prince.

Celebration will also honor 2023’s 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop legends Chuck D and Doug E. Fresh will reflect on what Prince and Hip-Hop means to them during a special discussion. Prince had an evolving and very interesting relationship with Hip-Hop music and the artists who influenced the art form and culture. Prince shared mutual respect and appreciation with both Chuck D and Doug E Fresh, which culminated in recordings and shows together.  

Panels discussing the significance of the number “7” in Prince’s work and the “fams” who are preserving Prince’s legacy will also take place.

“Prince was and remains the greatest artist of All-Time. We are honored to gather yet again to celebrate Prince and his legacy at Paisley Park this year with many who knew him up close or adored him from afar” says L. Londell McMillan, Prince’s former attorney, manager and friend.

The Paisley Park grounds will be full of special surprises, including the viewing of Prince’s original 1994 Tour Bus. VIP attendees will have a unique opportunity to record live vocals over a short segment of a Prince song in the legendary Studio C control room. Exclusive Celebration 2023 merch will be available for purchase, as well as concessions that will be available on Friday and Saturday in the outdoor tent.

Maintaining the event’s tradition, attendees will be split into two tracks, “Diamond” and “Pearl,” to allow for intimate experiences throughout Prince’s legendary complex.

VIP tickets are sold out. Limited General Admission and Single Day tickets are still on sale. Standalone tickets to the Sexy MF Dance Party with DJ D-Nice and 3121: A Tribute to Prince and Tina Turner with DJ Rashida are also available. Purchase your tickets to the biggest Prince Celebration in the world at: https://www.paisleypark.com/celebration2023 

Below is a full schedule of Celebration 2023 at Paisley Park, in Chanhassen, Minnesota. 

Thursday, June 8

Paisley Park walkthroughs

VIP Exclusive Listening sessions of Prince Music from the Vault  

Exclusive interview with Prince’s luthier Andy Beech, who designed Prince’s iconic symbol guitar

Dance Party with DJ Lenka

Friday, June 9

Special viewing of exclusive archival Prince concert footage 

Exclusive Listening Sessions of Prince Music from the Vault 

New Artist Showcase - Nunnabove and Nur-D

Shelby J live performance

One on One conversation with Chaka Khan where she will reflect on Prince, her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the 25th anniversary of her album, Come 2 My House, recorded at Paisley Park on NPG Records 

Hip Hop 50 Panel: Prince's Evolving and Complex Relationship With Hip Hop, presented by The Source Magazine and Paisley Park featuring Doug E. Fresh, Chuck D, DJ D-Nice

Sexy MF Dance Party with DJ D-Nice

Saturday, June 10 

Special viewing of archival Prince concert footage

Exclusive Listening Sessions of Prince Music from the Vault 

For the FAM Panel: A discussion on Prince’s legacy featuring Rodney Fitzgerald, Casey Rain, Kim Camilia, Dr. Funkenberry, and De Angela Duff

VIP Lunch in NPG  

7 Panel: An exploration of Prince and the significance behind the number 7

Rosie Gaines legacy award tribute

Sounds of Blackness live performance 

Stokley live performance

VIP Dinner in Soundstage 

Club 3121: Tribute to Prince and Tina Turner with DJ Rashida 

+ Live Music Tribute To Tina Turner

Sunday, June 11

VIP Gospel brunch with Known MPLS Choir catered by Prince’s private chef Juell Roberts, and Ray Roberts with Peoples Organic

Museum Walk Through, Outdoor Social and Testimonials