Thread by @darlingnisi

Good afternoon! We have the back end of the day today for quite a long afternoon and evening at Paisley Park! Heading over on the bus now!

Also lol Levi was standing outside the hotel. 👀👀👀

Must be the band hotel. Who's that y'all? 🥰

ICYMI, here's day one, VIP edition.

https://twitter.com/darlingnisi/status/1666801917035524096?t=g2eXQCEjWlsL8mpAr2u1gg&s=19

Heading in see you soon!

Eating dinner. Summary of the last 4 hours and not because of my own stuff. Amazing.

First was the Celebrity Hip Hop panel. Moderated by @LondellMcMillan we had @MrChuckD, @RealDougEFresh, and @Tonymosely8 Have to say right seeing all them on stage together brought the first wave of emotions. Actual legends on stage here out of love for this man we admire. 🥹💜

First time meeting P : P saw them dancing in the bathroom, gave them a tape, featured dancers in Purple Rain. Chuck D gave Tony M Props for his involvement during this time.

Chuck D came out of DJ culture and was aware of Prince's music from the jump. He and his peer saw Prince as funky, rebellious, pinkish and smooth. "There's a little Duke Ellington in this cat". Chuck D first met P at Trump Towers 😂.

In 1999 recorded Undisputed. Talked about pulling up to Paisley while Prince was outside having a yard sale. "amps, guitars, speakers on the lawn...a symbol on side $135 on the other"

Doug E Fresh met P around Emancipation time via Londell who was representing both of them. They had a spiritual relationship "no words just energy".

What have been your conversations re hip hop?
Chuck D : "Rap is a vocal on top of music." Old school hip hop has a deep respect for musicianship.

"Hip hop is the umbrella of creativity."

This resonated with Prince.

Doug E fresh noted that Chuck D is a graphic designer as well and that he helped him with his logo.

Doug E Fresh noted Prince wanted to hear stories about other folks in hip hop then went into how he became the fifth element of Hip Hop as the human beatbox.

He started his music journey playing trumpet by the recommendation of his music teacher though he wanted to play drums. Music teacher was let go and ended their program at their school. Used to walk down 125 street in Harlem hearing sounds coming out of music stores.

Would recreate the sounds just just on his own which birthed the 5th element of Hip Hop.

Tony mentioned his start as a rapper for P being performing Humpty Dance during a soundcheck. P heard and asked him to do it again on his next tour stop. He also noted bringing Prince Public Enemy tapes.

Tony was nervous about his new role...didn't think he would be accepted by hip hop or Prince fans. P reassured him saying they were doing their own thing and to be authentic to himself.

This point was validated by Doug E Fresh and Chuck D...they both had to find their own voices by being themselves and it was part of the process. Listen to others but find your own voice.

Tony noted how he'd shout his raps trying to mimic Chuck D, lol...example Something Funky This House Comes.

Acknowledges that it was a bad move.

Doug E Fresh on working with P "There wasn't a place in the world he could go musically that I couldn't go"

Chuck D On the message of hip hop and how it relates to P "No one was better about taking all notes in the universe and doing as much with it as possible"

He said Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet, and especially Fight the Power was inspired by Sign O The Times. 🤯

Chuck D was "gaga" over My Name is Prince and also loves Sexy MF. Was a little jealous of P's songs during this time. Never really heard that P was a "wack rapper"

One of his folks Derrick was especially in love with Rosie Gaines.

When Doug E Fresh toured with P he didn't ask for money.

Prince gave Chuck D a symbol necklace that was confiscated by TSA in Atlanta in 2001 because it could be used as a weapon. (Hyper vigilance after September 11th)

Then, guys, Chuck D did the most amazing medley that was a history of hip hop interwoven with Prince songs and this was the second and third time I burst into tears from being overwhelmed with the history I was witnessing. Literally.

I really hope they somehow release what we saw today because a lot of Prince fans diminish his connection to hip hop and they truly broke it down, especially when you hear his songs in between fundamental songs in hip hop history.

I also appreciated that they made the distinction between what a MC is (Master of Ceremonies) and what a rapper is (vocal on top of music). They are not the same. P was more a MC in that tradition and he truly infused all elements of hip hop in his work.

We'll see direct evidence of that in a moment but first...

Auntie Chaka Khan (who was full on in Auntie mode btw) 😂

Met P when he called her to the studio pretending to be Sly Stone..she was pissed. Later the were friendly and talked on the phone discussing conspiracy theories and books. They both loved Behold a Pale Horse

I Feel For You was the first crossover R&B/hip hop song with Melly Mel.

This is Chaka's first visit to Paisley since recording Come 2 My House. Walked through the building expecting P to show up, but still feels his presence here at Paisley.

Left WB around same time as P. Recorded a duet with Robert Palmer and did all the background vocals. Song was released without here and she was credited as writing background arrangements though she wasn't on it.

Come 2 My House was her writing poetry and P writing music. Finished in a month. Not available now because what they did got them blackballed by labels but they're working on getting it out.

Chaka on P "He loved the Lord. He loves and loves what he did. He'd hurt your feelings, but it was the truth."

On working with Miles and Prince on Sticky Wicked. Miles said Chaka's voice sounds like his trumpet. Chaka "my voice sounds like my own" 😂

On being resilient in the music industry. "It was my calling...people are dying to get famous literally. It's not about getting famous, it's about maintaining humility."

She used to argue with Prince about being so guarded. Tried to encourage him to be more open and available to fans.

And that's it! She signed autographs after! Next...omg

Last show of the Act II tour. 30 minutes. September 7, 1993 We saw this. Admittedly, a boot I have spent A LOT of time with audio wise so I was like 😭😭😭😭

Got up to dance on the side because you gotta...and of course cried again for sometimes it snows because now I have two people looking after things who I lost in April. 💔

Part 2 is tomorrow!

At this point in the day I was fully satisfied....and next.........

Studio session with NPG. Damon Dickson, Tony M, Tommy Barbarella, Levi Seacer, Morris Hayes, Josh Dunham, and Brandon Commadore who plays drums with Mint Condition.

The song? Tracking Love 2 the 9's with Prince on piano right after they got back from the Diamonds and Pearls tour.

Lyrics and phrasing were a bit different but amazing one of my favorites from that album! 😭 And hearing P's voice so clear giving them direction! 😭

Amazing session as usual..did the claps...listened back much like last year. Q&A folks asked was also mostly the same as before but one I want to call out...

What do you miss the most about P being gone?

Levi: I miss what it felt like to be around and witness someone who was at the top of their game.

He emphasized that folks should tune into their gifts and do them to the max because you're a gift too. 💜

Now I'm typing this up and late to the concert, but gotta say. Today was AMAZING. It was all the emotions and a FANTASTIC job done. The nitpicks were few. @PaisleyPark DELIVERED today. 🥹😭💜

Heading back in for the concert now. Talk to you soon!

I missed Nur-d because I was writing the above tweets but came back to see all of the set for @nunnabove

Y'all. @nunnabove take on She's Always on My Hair was based on the 3rdeyegirl version and their guitarist did an extended guitar solo that was 🤯. Average age of their band was 22. #TheNextPowerGeneration is in AMAZING hands Prince would be so proud. 🥹

Their original music was also 🤯🤯🤯😭. Will def be picking up their stuff!

Shelby J's set :
Chelsea Rodgers
Money Don't Matter Tonight
Moved On
Who U R
I Feel For U
Give the People Want You Want
Day in the Sun/Mr. Goodnight
Sometimes it Snows in April
Run
7
Superpower
Musicology
Before I Let Go

Honestly didn't write the last song down because I was singing along and heard that song tonight in a way that stuck with me someone correct me if that's wrong.

She did a fantastic job keeping the pace and spirit up! I wanted to hear North Carolina but that's alright! 💜

Probably the most fun party I've ever been to. D-Nice as the DJ. Doug E Fresh the MC all night long as our Master of Ceremonies.

Again, the difference between a rapper and a MC very distinct this evening. 💜 #CELEBRATION2023

Y'all it was literally church.

💜💜💜

I think I transcended around this time...

Doug E Fresh was working hard y'all!

ICYMI, D Nice took over Billboard's Instagram stories to promote #Celebration2023

Wrap of of VIP Day 2 @PaisleyPark owes me NOTHING! You hear me? 🥹

Just leaving this here. Via Paisley Park. Amazing time. When I say this party was healing I really really mean it. 🥹