Prince’s iconic funk legacy lives on through the voice of Tony M, the trailblazing rapper and frontman of The New Power Generation. In this exclusive Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley interview, Tony M dives deep into the funk, freedom, and fearless creativity that defined his journey alongside Prince.

From his early days in Minneapolis and battle-of-the-bands competitions at The Way, to unforgettable moments in the studio with Prince, Tony shares powerful insights about artistic integrity, innovation, and staying true to the music.

He opens up about Prince’s profound influence, the spontaneity of their collaboration, and how NPG pushed boundaries in funk, hip-hop, and live performance. Prince mentored Tony M with these words—"I don’t let anyone dictate where I go next"—is a bold reminder that great art flows from authenticity.

Don’t miss this intimate look at one of the most important voices in Prince’s New Power Generation.

#TonyM #Prince #NewPowerGeneration #FunkMusic #musiciansreveal

Tony M and We Were The New Power Generation (NPG): https://thebandformerlyknownasnpg.com

Musicians Reveal official website: https://www.musiciansreveal.com

Musicians Reveal Mixcloud station: https://www.mixcloud.com/joekelleyradio/

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Since 1982, Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley has spotlighted iconic and emerging artists in funk, soul, R&B, and Prince-associated artists. From its roots on NPR affiliate WVOF 88.5 FM to its thriving YouTube presence, the show is a trusted source for in-depth, soulful conversations with music legends.

Hosted by veteran journalist Joe Kelley, the show has featured Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and Grammy winners like Larry Graham, Mavis Staples, Patrice Rushen, Victor Wooten, Cyndi Lauper, Bernie Worrell, P-Funk, Zapp, Cameo, and members of Prince’s Revolution, NPG, and The Time.

In 2004, Prince featured the show on his official NPG Music Club site and asked Joe to premiere his One Nite Alone… box set before any media outlet.

With over 4.3M views and 13K+ subscribers on YouTube, Musicians Reveal continues to honor the artists shaping music history. The show's audio podcast is also on all major podcast outlets.

🎧 New interviews weekly.

Musicians Reveal YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@musiciansreveal

🌐 Visit: www.musiciansreveal.com

Legendary trombonist and Prince collaborator Michael B. Nelson joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to share inside stories from the NPG Horns and the making of The Hornheads’ all-horn album Fat Lip. From working with The Purple One to recording the standout track “Chiquita Comb Banana,” Nelson dives into the artistry, discipline, and groove behind the Minneapolis sound. Recorded in 2005. Presented as archival content.

🎙️ Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley is a podcast featuring legendary and emerging funk, R&B, and Prince-associated artists. Prince himself spotlighted Musicians Reveal on his website in 2004 and gifted us the One Nite Alone box set in 2002 — before any media outlet.

Nelson opens up about the challenges of recording an all-horn a cappella album, the precision it demands, and the deep musical connection among The Hornheads. He also reflects on Minneapolis as a creative hub and previews their Fat Lip release show at the Dakota Jazz Club.

00:00 Introduction of Michael B. Nelson

01:34 The Journey of Creating New Music

09:02 The Whirlwind of Touring

16:27 Musical Inspirations and Influences

17:28 Exploring the Minneapolis Music Scene

24:34 Exploring the Influence of Broadway on Contemporary Music

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

👉 Full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@musiciansreveal/playlists

🌐 Website: https://musiciansreveal.com

🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rQAZZtdU2cZB6EeleSZ8J

🎙️ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/musicians-reveal-funk-soul-r-b-and-prince-associated/id1545165178

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@musiciansreveal

📻 Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/joekelleyradio/

#Prince #michaelbnelson #Funk #NPG #hornheads #MusiciansReveal

Robert Mercurio, the distinguished bassist and producer of the renowned New Orleans funk ensemble Galactic, graces the Musicians Reveal podcast with Joe Kelley to discuss the intricacies of their latest album, a collaborative effort with the legendary Irma Thomas. Our dialogue delves into the profound impact of the New Orleans music scene on their careers and the invigorating experience of performing at the Jazz Fest. Mercurio elucidates the challenges and rewards of transitioning from a rigorous touring schedule to a more balanced lifestyle in the wake of the pandemic. The conversation further explores the collaborative spirit prevalent in New Orleans, highlighting the significance of preserving musical legacies through artistic partnerships. As we navigate this engaging discourse, we gain insight into the creative processes that underpin the making of their latest record, which promises to resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Takeaways:

• Robert Mercurio discusses the exhilarating yet exhausting nature of performing multiple shows at jazz festivals, emphasizing the physical toll it can take on musicians as they age.
• The conversation highlights the communal and supportive atmosphere of the New Orleans music scene, where established artists actively mentor younger musicians without a competitive edge.
• Mercurio explains the creative process behind their new album with Irma Thomas, detailing the transition from merely covering songs to creating original material inspired by their collaboration.
• The significance of preserving musical legacies through collaboration is emphasized, showcasing Galactic's dedication to working with legendary artists like Irma Thomas and the impact of her life experiences on their music.
• In this episode, Mercurio reflects on the evolution of Galactic's sound and the importance of adapting to different influences while ensuring authenticity in their music.
• The discussion touches on the challenges of balancing artistic integrity with audience expectations, particularly as Galactic explores new musical directions and collaborations.

Links referenced in this episode:

• GalacticFunk.com
• TipitinasRecordClub.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Galactic
• Irma Thomas
• Tipitina's
• Dragon Smoke
• Evan Neville
• Stanton
• Eric Lindell
• Rick Rubin
• Def Jam Records
• LL Cool J
• Bootsy Collins
• Bernard Odom
• James Brown
• Bad Brains
• Government Issue
• Dag Nasty
• Sex Pistols
• Cyril Neville
• Macy Gray
• Mavis Staples
• Frida
• Heady Wax
• Soul Life