On July 4, the fireworks over downtown Minneapolis will be choreographed to a mix of Prince music provided by The Current. Starting at 10:00 p.m. on July 4, you can tune in to The Current on air (89.3 FM in the Twin Cities) or via our website or the MPR Radio app for the perfect…

“I’m kind of soft-spoken,” Katana Da Don told me as I flipped on a tape recorder in a Northeast Minneapolis restaurant. In terms of volume, she was right — silverware and nearby chatter sometimes overwhelmed her voice. But in terms of power, the descriptor is totally wrong. Katana Da Don is a local rapper, and…

Believe it or not, there’s never actually been an official soundtrack release for the 1986 John Hughes classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Now, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, an official soundtrack will finally be released later this year (specific date TBA). The surprising reason there never was a soundtrack release: Hughes didn’t think anybody would want…

A new Prince mural at the Chanhassen Cinema will be officially unveiled tomorrow night, June 22, at 7 p.m. The Mayor of Chanhassen will join artist Mr G Hoete to unveil the mural, which will be dedicated to the late music icon’s family. Michael Holtz, who often DJed at Paisley Park, will be providing music…

Local indie band (and non-diegetic movie stars) Rogue Valley are back with new music, having spent the last few years writing, recording, and fine-tuning their fifth studio album, radiate/dissolve. It comes out tomorrow, but ahead of that time, the band is sharing the video for their song “Transference.” As with most of Rogue Valley’s best tracks, this song is…

At The Current, when we talk about “The List,” we mean one of two things: (1) the list of special vinyl releases for Record Store Day, or (2) the list of new foods at the Minnesota State Fair. The latter List is here: a complete rundown of all the new delicacies we’ll be able to…

Fashion designer Donatella Versace has shared music she says Prince wrote and gave to her 21 years ago. Playing the music during her menswear show at Milan Fashion Week, Versace issued a statement saying she “would like to use this special occasion as an opportunity to share this incredible music from a dear, and much missed friend.” (SPIN)…

Australian artist Mr G Hoete is currently painting a Prince mural on the exterior wall of the Chanhassen Cinema. “In honor of Prince Rogers Nelson,” wrote the theater on Facebook, “we at Five Star Cinemas would like to announce a new addition to our Chanhassen Cinema location — a 40 foot mural of the late…

Thanks to all 14,000 music lovers who joined us at Boom Island on Saturday for a sold-out Rock the Garden. Below, enjoy a photo gallery spanning all eight acts who played heartfelt sets for an adoring crowd — and some scenes capturing the vibe of this unique summer festival.

Attrell Cordes, known as Prince Be in the hip-hop group P.M. Dawn, has died at age 46 due to complications from diabetes. “My Heart is at Peace B-Cuz U suffered so long,” wrote Cordes’s bandmate and cousin Doc.G on Facebook. Founded in 1988 by Cordes and his brother Jarett (DJ Minutemix), P.M. Dawn became one of the most…