Prince’s Legacy Band Rebrands as Minneapolis Sound All Star Band
The legendary musical collective formerly known as New Power Generation (NPG)—Prince’s primary backing band from 1990 to 2013—is officially entering a new era. Moving forward, the group will perform under the name Minneapolis Sound All Star Band.
This transition stems from two major factors: the expiration of the group’s legal right to the “NPG” trademark and a policy shift by Global Music Rights. The performing rights organization, which manages Prince’s catalog, has restricted tribute acts from performing full sets of his material. While the band identifies as a “legacy group” rather than a tribute act, they have embraced the name change as a catalyst for creative growth and the production of original music, slated for release later this year.
“This shift allows us to evolve and expand,” explains keyboardist and longtime musical director Morris Hayes. “It feels as though the floodgates have opened, presenting us with boundless opportunities. The rebranding was arguably overdue, and there is a profound sense of liberation in this new chapter.”
The Road to a New Identity
Following Prince’s untimely death in 2016, the collective secured a five-year license in 2017 from Bremer Bank to continue using the New Power Generation moniker. However, as the estate’s management transitioned through Comerica Bank to the current administrators, the band was informed that the trademark license would not be renewed upon its expiration.
Control of the Prince estate is currently divided between Prince Legacy LLC (held by three of Prince’s half-siblings and advisors L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer) and Prince Oat Holdings LLC (managed by Primary Wave). Neither entity has commented on the recent name change.
Since 2022, the group had already begun distancing itself from the trademarked name, often billing themselves as “The Music of Prince featuring former members of NPG.” While they occasionally used the original name for official estate-sanctioned events—such as the annual Paisley Park celebrations—the need for a permanent, independent identity became clear.
Preserving the “Minneapolis Sound”
Selecting a new name was a meticulous process. Hayes noted the difficulty in finding a title that maintained their deep connection to Prince while honoring the 1980s musical movement they helped define. “We wanted a name that perfectly encapsulates our sound and our history,” Hayes said. “We are an integral part of the musical tapestry Prince created, and we want to remain part of the soul of the Twin Cities.”
Band manager Jill Willis, who previously managed Prince in the early 1990s, clarified that while the Minneapolis Sound All Star Band will still include Prince classics in their live sets, the focus is shifting. The group has spent the last several years writing fresh material, including a poignant track inspired by recent tragic events in Minneapolis.
Broader Trademark Disputes
This rebranding highlights ongoing tensions between the Prince estate and his former collaborators regarding intellectual property. In 2022, the estate challenged Morris Day over the trademark for “Morris Day and the Time.” More recently, in August 2025, Prince protégé Apollonia filed a lawsuit against the estate, alleging they attempted to seize the rights to her stage name—a name she has performed under for over four decades.
The estate has moved to dismiss Apollonia’s suit, claiming they only seek to register “Apollonia 6” and have no intention of preventing her personal use of the name. That legal battle remains ongoing.
Reporting contributed by Bill Donahue and Rachel Scharf.
