Video: Prince’s ‘Welcome 2 America’ Tour

What would a Prince press conference be without a little smoke and mirrors? Yesterday afternoon, the Purple One beckoned reporters to the Apollo Theater in Harlem for a brief press conference so he could unveil a new “series of events” in the odd and terse way only he can execute.

So far there are no details about the location for his series, dubbed “Welcome 2 America,” but Prince revealed that his special guests would include Maceo Parker, his “favorite new artist” Janelle Monae, Twin Cities’ Mint Condition, Esperanza Spalding, Cassandra Wilson, Sinbad, Layla Hathaway, Sheila E, and Graham Central Station.

The Monae aspect should be no surprise to Twin Cities concertgoers; on two separate occasions in the past year (first at the Varsity and then recently at First Ave), Prince has ventured out to Monae’s local gigs to watch her in action, and Monae visited Paisley Park to jam with Prince this spring.

Rolling Stone reported via their Twitter account that Welcome 2 America will involve a multi-night stand in the New York area, which will unfold on what has only been indicated as “a purple day in December.”

For more statements of grandeur from the press conference, we’ll let Prince take it away: “Welcome 2 America is best described as what we’ve all been waiting for,” he said yesterday. “I will serve as master of ceremonies for multiple nights of entertainment that will feature some of the best artists this country has to offer.”

He concluded the brief press conference with the invitation to, “Bring your friends, bring your children and bring foot spray, because it’s going to be funky. Peace.” – City Pages

Video of Press Conference!