“Anyone who loved Alexis is welcome” at a four-day, four-night celebration of life in honor of the St. Paul rapper known professionally as Lexii Alijai, according to her manager Julieanna Goddard. “We will celebrate Lexii’s life the traditional Native American way for 4 days & 4 nights starting this evening at 6PM at the Minneapolis…

To submit videos for consideration, e-mail fridayfive@mpr.org. Muun Bato: “Catacomb Cady” My first pick in 2020 goes to this psychedelic visual from up-and-coming shoegazers Muun Bato. They just put out their debut in October, and you can catch them playing First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2019 showcase along with FruitPunchLoverBoy, Green/Blue, Loki’s Folly, Mae…

Lexii Alijai, a rapper from St. Paul who won fans around the world for her inspired flow and inspiring career, died on New Year’s Day at age 21. After family members confirmed the incredibly sad news on social media, the hip-hop community mourned the loss of a distinctive artist who’s gone too soon. “Saddest way…

It’s been another busy year for our Local Current blogging team, covering all the news that’s fit to blog across the Minnesota music scene. Here are the ten stories our readers found most fascinating in 2019. Click on each headline to read the full story. 10. Take a look inside the Fillmore Minneapolis, opening in…

Paisley Park has announced a film series showcasing “important films — each reflecting a profound moment in music and culture.” The three films, presented on successive Saturdays next month (Jan. 11, 18, and 25), are Wattstax, Amazing Grace, and Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. DJ afterparties will follow the first and third movies in the series. Announcing the…

The end of a year is a time to celebrate the best new music that hit our ears in the past 12 months — and also to remember the remarkable lives and storied careers of people on the music scene who passed on. For the Honey Do list this Saturday, Dec. 28 on The Current,…

“That ain’t Lake Minnetonka,” Prince famously said to Apollonia after she “purified herself” in Purple Rain. He wasn’t lying: it was a section of the Minnesota River in the small town of Henderson, about 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis. For years, the exact spot where the iconic scene was filmed was hard to find. After talking…

Happy holidays, and a big thank you to Cecilia Johnson for trusting me to take on this feature! She rounded up her favorite videos of the year in last week’s edition, and I’m stoked to be taking over just before the new year. Send videos to fridayfive@mpr.org if you’d like to be considered, and I’ll…

From the time he first appeared on the Minnesota music scene as Jay Smart, the artist now known as J.S. Ondara has captivated listeners both here and, increasingly, around the world. A native of Kenya, Ondara’s always had a global view — but his musical sights were set on the United States, and the Recording…

For Prince fans visiting the Twin Cities, it’s easy to find landmarks like Paisley Park, First Avenue, the Purple Rain house, and a growing number of murals. A new interactive guide on the Prince estate’s official website helps fans to zero in on the Minneapolis where Prince grew up: his homes, his schools, the venues where…