The New Power Generation, a.k.a. The NPG, was the backing band of the artist Prince, from 1990 to 2013. They were last active in 2013 when Prince took a new direction and formed a new band he called 3rdEyeGirl. However, in 2015, some members of The New Power Generation reunited to work with Prince on his final studio album Hit n Run Phase Two.

Although the phrase “Welcome to the New Power Generation” was first mentioned on the opening track of Prince’s 1988’s “Lovesexy”, the NPG was first used as a band name in the 1990 film “Graffiti Bridge”, and the song “New Power Generation” appeared on the accompanying soundtrack album.

The New Power Generation debuted live during the 1990 “Nude Tour” and on record on the 1991 album “Diamonds and Pearls”. The original NPG consisted of Michael Bland (drums), Levi Seacer, Jr. (guitar), Rosie Gaines (keyboards & lead/backing vocals), Tony Mosley (lead raps & dance), Kirk Johnson (percussion & dance) and Damon Dickson (backing vocals & dance), along with two new members Tommy Barbarella (keyboards) and Sonny T. (bass). Rosie Gaines left the band after the 1992 “Diamonds and Pearls Tour” and was replaced by keyboardist Morris Hayes, who remained a member of the band until 2012. Over the years Prince has been backed by different configurations of the NPG (New Power Generation). For the full detailed band history, please check out: http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Band:_New_Power_Generation

This reunited configuration of the NPG is the ‘mostly’ original line-up that shared the most commercial success with Prince. The line-up consists of:

• Morris Hayes (MD and keyboards, longest-running Prince band member, MD of the Official Prince Tribute Concert)
• Sonny Thompson (bass)
• Levi Seacer Jr. (guitar)
• Tommy Barbarella (keyboards)
• Kirk Johnson (drums)
• Tony Mosley (rap vocals, guitar, dancer) and
• Damon Dickson (background vocals, percussion and dancer).

If one of them cannot be part of the line-up (due to other previous commitments), he will be replaced by a musician from a later line-up of the NPG and/or a musician from the Prince family of artists.

The “band” will be joined by at least 2 lead singers from later line-ups of the NPG and/or the Prince family of artists, like for instance:

• Kip Blackshire
  • http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Kip_Blackshire
  • https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kip-Blackshire-63959609616/about/
• Shelby J.
  • http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Shelby_J
  • https://www.facebook.com/shelbyjmusic
• André Cymone
  • http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Andr%C3%A9_Cymone
  • http://andrecymone.com/