Actor, comedian and musician Fred Armisen ('Saturday Night Live'; 'Portlandia'; 'Late Night with Seth Meyers') discovered Prince shortly after the release of '1999.' In a conversation with Andrea Swensson, Armisen talks about how he first heard Prince and became a fan for life. 'Prince really became my favorite artist,' Armisen says. 'I really soaked up every lyric, every little drumbeat, everything about him.' Listen to Andrea's full conversation with Fred Armisen.

“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…

We're about to give you 15 Coffee Breaks a row across the next three weeks to highlight a selection of hits from each year of the Current leading up to our 15th anniversary on Saturday, January 18. In celebration of this special programming, what songs do you want to hear for today's 9:30 Coffee Break that mention an age in the lyrics?

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…

Production/lighting designer LeRoy Bennett began working with Prince in 1980 and continued working with him until 1994. 'I was blessed that I started my life and this career with him,' says Bennett, who has gone on to work with such artists as Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. 'Prince pushed you knowing that you were giving all that you could.' Listen to Andrea Swensson's full conversation with Bennett.

While making the documentary series 'Prince: The Story of 1999,' Andrea Swensson spoke to drummer and guitarist Jellybean Johnson, a legend of the Minneapolis Sound and a founding member of The Time. Andrea spoke to Johnson about what it was like coming up in music with Prince, and how Prince helped shape the sound and the look of The Time, the Revolution and more.

In honor of Coffee Breaker Grumpy Dave and his favorite song, let us know what songs you'd like to hear that express missing someone or longing for something.

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…

Happy New Year's Eve! For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that mention a party?

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…