The legendary musical collective long associated with Prince is stepping into a new chapter. The group formerly known as New Power Generation (NPG), which backed Prince from 1990 to 2013, has officially rebranded as the Minneapolis Sound All Star Band, closing the door on a name that defined an era while opening space for creative reinvention.
Why the Name Change Happened
The decision wasn’t sudden. The band’s license to use the trademarked New Power Generation name has expired, and Global Music Rights, which administers Prince’s song catalog, no longer allows tribute acts to perform full sets of his music. While the group has always viewed itself as a “legacy act,” the legal reality made continuing under the old name impossible.
Rather than seeing this as a setback, the musicians chose to treat it as a reset—one that allows them to prioritize original material. New music from the group is expected later this year.
“This allows us to evolve and expand,” says keyboardist Morris Hayes, who also served as Prince’s longtime musical director. “It feels like the floodgates have opened. The name change was definitely overdue—and honestly, it feels liberating.”
A Complicated Licensing History
After Prince’s death in 2016, the band secured a five-year license in 2017 from Bremer Bank, which initially handled the Prince estate. Attempts to extend that agreement later with Comerica Bank and subsequent estate administrators were unsuccessful.
According to Jill Willis, who manages the LLC representing several former NPG members—including Hayes, rapper/rhythm guitarist Tony Mosley and bassist Sonny Thompson—the current estate owners made it clear the trademark would not be renewed once the agreement expired.
Inside the Prince Estate
Since 2022, control of the Prince estate has been split evenly between Prince Legacy LLC and Prince Oat Holdings LLC, the latter owned by music publishing company Primary Wave. Requests for comment from the estate went unanswered.
The band officially stopped using the New Power Generation name in 2022 but continued performing Prince’s music under billing such as The Music of Prince, featuring former members of the New Power Generation. They were still permitted to use the original name for estate-sanctioned appearances, including events at Paisley Park and a performance at a Minnesota Timberwolves game.
Choosing a New Identity
Finding a new name wasn’t easy. Hayes admits the process felt daunting, given the desire to remain connected to Prince, Minneapolis, and the iconic sound of the 1980s.
“Our manager had been floating this name for years,” he says. “When we finally landed on it together, it just clicked. We are part of the musical tapestry Prince created, and we want to keep contributing to the soul of the Twin Cities.”
What’s Next for the Band
Under the Minneapolis Sound All Star Band banner, the group can still perform a limited number of Prince songs, but those will no longer be the centerpiece. The focus now is firmly on new material—music the members have been writing both individually and collectively for years.
One upcoming track, Hayes reveals, draws inspiration from recent tragedies in Minneapolis, including the ICE-related killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, signaling a shift toward socially reflective themes.
A Broader Pattern
This isn’t the first time artists closely linked to Prince have faced trademark challenges. In 2022, the estate sent a warning letter to Morris Day over his attempt to trademark Morris Day and the Time. Ultimately, no formal opposition was filed after his application.
More recently, in August 2025, Prince protégé Apollonia filed a lawsuit alleging the estate was trying to claim ownership of her stage name—despite her using it for more than four decades. The legal dispute, which references her role in Purple Rain, is still pending.
Turning the Page
For the Minneapolis Sound All Star Band, the rebrand marks both an ending and a beginning. While the New Power Generation name is now part of history, the musicians behind it are determined to move forward—honoring their roots without being confined by them.
