Prince Insiders & Paisley Park Announce the Emancipation 30 Retrospective & Symposium

3-Day Conference Honors the 30th Anniversary of Prince's Emancipation Album & His Artists' Rights Movement Through Conversations, Music, Film, Live Concert Performances and Fan Engagement

Certain Events Will Be Streamed Worldwide

"This is my most important record. I'm free, and my music is free." - Prince

CHANHASSEN, MN - November 9, 2026 - Paisley Park announces the inaugural Emancipation 30 Retrospective and Symposium , taking place November 19-21, 2026, at the world's famous Paisley Park Museum in Chanhassen, Minnesota.Co-hosted by Prince's longtime attorney and manager, L. Londell McMillan, and Prince's former wife and longtime creative collaborator, Mayte Garcia , the 3-day event commemorates the 30th anniversary of Prince's groundbreaking album, Emancipation, and the freedom movement Prince inspired, through a retrospective and symposium of Prince insiders, industry professionals, experts and fans featuring in-depth discussions, historical reflections, and musical components.

Released on November 19, 1996, Emancipation represented a defining turning point in Prince's career and his pursuit of artistic independence. His journey toward freedom gained worldwide attention in 1993 when he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol amid his highly publicized dispute with Warner Bros. Records over creative control and ownership. Prince later appeared with the word "SLAVE" written across his face, a powerful public protest against the restrictions he believed were placed on his artistic freedom.

Central to that journey was McMillan, who fought and negotiated Prince's release from his recording agreement with Warner Bros. in 1996, paving the way for the release of Emancipation and a new chapter of personal and creative independence while also leading to Prince reclaiming his name. Prince's artist advocacy journey with McMillan led to a national and global movement for artists while allowing Prince to be free, happy and innovative as an entrepreneur.

"This is my most important record. I am free and my music is free," Prince said in 1996. "I'm a free man, I'm a happy man, I'm a married man and I'm a clear man."

The inaugural symposium will reunite Prince insiders, collaborators, musicians, music industry leaders, and distinguished voices in civil rights and freedom of expression to explore the significance of Emancipation, its lasting influence on the music industry, and the broader meaning of personal and creative freedom.

The program will also feature conversations examining the making of Emancipation, artistic ownership, music industry independence, and constitutional freedoms. Featured participants will include Yusef D. Jackson of Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Federal Judge, Jerry W. Blackwell who also served as one of Prince's former lawyers, alongside well known Prince collaborators and special guests.

Musical components throughout the 3-day celebration will honor the album's legacy, including a special performance by New Power Generation , featuring music from Emancipation, and a late-night jam session inspired by Prince's legendary gatherings at Paisley Park.

"It is an honor to produce and continue the legacy of freedom, justice and innovation with Emancipation 30. We will engage in deep discussions and honor Prince, his music, intellect and vision for a free and just global society. Prince deserves a salute not only for his incomparable talents and music but also his loving and courageous humanity," shares L. Londell McMillan

See full programming and schedule below.

EMANCIPATION 30 SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 - EMANCIPATION 30 KICKOFF & RELEASE NIGHT

Admission: $30 | Doors: 6:00 PM CST

7:00 PM CST | Virtual Conversation (Live Stream): Behind Emancipation - Reflections from Prince Insiders on His Emancipation Journey

A conversation with those closest to Prince during the Emancipation era, exploring the personal, professional, and creative experiences that shaped the landmark album and his pursuit of artistic freedom.

Panelists:

• Mayte Garcia - Former NPG dancer, choreographer, and Prince's former wife
• Hans-Martin Buff - Grammy Award-winning audio engineer, producer, mixer, former Paisley Park engineer, and Prince collaborator
• L. Londell McMillan - Prince's former attorney and manager, entrepreneur, manager, and producer

9:00 PM-12:00 AM CST: Kickoff Party & Celebration of Prince & Emancipation | DJ Dudley D Dance Party:

An evening of music and dancing celebrating Prince and the legacy of Emancipation.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 - EMANCIPATION 30: THE JAM OF FREEDOM

Admission: $31.21 | Doors: 6:00 PM CST

7:00 PM CST | Panel: The 5 Freedoms & Civic Virtues of Prince's Emancipation

An in-depth discussion examining the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment-religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition-and their connections to Prince's fight for personal freedom, creative expression, independence, and ownership.

Moderator: L. Londell McMillan

Panelists:

• The Honorable Jerry W. Blackwell - United States District Judge and former attorney of Prince
• Yusef D. Jackson - President & CEO, Rainbow PUSH, entrepreneur, civil rights advocate, and youngest son of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
• Denny Laufenburger - Former Mayor of Chanhassen, civic leader, and community advocate
• Jeff Kosseff - Author, First Amendment scholar, and Director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota

9:00 PM CST | Jam of the Year, San Antonio: Emancipation-Era Film

A special screening of Prince's Jam of the Year concert film from San Antonio, Texas, during the Emancipation era.

11:00 PM CST | Late-Night Jam Session - Just Like Prince Used to Do!

A late-night musical gathering inspired by Prince's legendary jam sessions at Paisley Park, featuring surprise performers.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 - EMANCIPATION 30: CELEBRATING FREEDOM THROUGH COMMUNITY, MUSIC & ART

Community Programming Admission: FREE

12:00-3:00 PM CST | Community Creative Day

A free, family-friendly celebration featuring a pancake bar, kids' creative corner, and live performances by emerging young artists.

Live Youth Performance Schedule:

• 1:00 PM CST | School of Rock
• 1:45 PM CST | TCool Makai 9
• 2:00 PM CST | Brooklyn Marie - Minnesota rising star and Team Kelly Clarkson contestant on NBC's The Voice

3:00-4:00 PM CST | Panel: Youth Voices - Exploring Creative Freedom

A youth-focused discussion exploring music, art, individuality, and creative expression, highlighting how the next generation is finding its voice through culture.

Moderator: Mayte Garcia

Panelists:

• Shannon Curfman - Blues-rock guitarist and recording artist, signed to Arista Records at age 14, Prince-influenced musician, and former child prodigy
• Brooklyn Marie - Minnesota singer and performer, Team Kelly Clarkson contestant on NBC's The Voice
• TCool Makai 9 - Young creative talent representing the next generation of Prince-inspired artists

4:00 PM CST | Fan Reflections and Testimonials on Prince's Emancipation

Fans share personal memories and reflections on Prince's lasting impact and how Emancipation inspired their understanding of freedom, independence, and creative expression.

THE MUSIC & ART OF PRINCE'S EMANCIPATION PANEL & NEW POWER GENERATION CONCERT

Admission: $50 VIP / $31.21 General Admission | Doors: 4:00 PM CST

5:00-7:00 PM CST | Panel: The Music & Art of Prince's Emancipation

An inside look at the music, visual artistry, touring, and creative process behind Emancipation, featuring musicians and collaborators who helped bring Prince's vision to life.

Panelists:

• Kirk Johnson - Associate producer of Emancipation and former drummer of The New Power Generation
• Morris Hayes - Keyboardist, music producer, and former musical director for The New Power Generation
• Mike Scott - Guitarist and former musician for The New Power Generation
• Steve Parke - Artist, graphic designer, former art director for Prince, and creative visionary behind iconic Prince imagery

8:00 PM CST | The New Power Generation LIVE: A Special Emancipation 30th Anniversary Concert

A special live performance by The New Power Generation celebrating the 30th anniversary of Emancipation and Prince's enduring musical legacy.

The event will take place November 19-21, 2026, at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Additional program details and ticket information will be announced through Paisley Park's official channels.

Media Inquiries: Interviews with L. Londell McMillan, Mayte Garcia, and other key participants are available upon request.

ABOUT PRINCE

Prince was a singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and performer whose singular vision reshaped popular music. Born and raised in Minneapolis, he established an unrivaled music legacy and pioneered the Minneapolis sound, blending funk, rock, pop, soul and jazz across more than 39 landmark albums, including 1999, Purple Rain, Parade, Sign o' the Times, Emancipation, Musicology and 3121. With estimated sales exceeding 100 million records worldwide, he remains one of the best-selling artists of all time. A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, GRAMMY and Academy Award winner, and champion of artistic independence and ownership, Prince created an extraordinary body of released music and an extensive archive of recordings in his Vault. Prince is widely recognized as one of the greatest artists and musicians of all time. Paisley Park, his creative sanctuary in Chanhassen, Minnesota, remains an active museum, recording studio and concert venue, welcoming visitors into the spaces where he recorded, rehearsed and performed for himself and others. For more information, visit PaisleyPark.com .

ABOUT PAISLEY PARK

Paisley Park is Prince's private estate, an active museum, recording studio, and concert venue in Chanhassen, MN. The museum is open for public tours, giving fans of the music icon the unprecedented opportunity to tour the legendary, 65,000-square-foot complex that served as the center of Prince's creative universe. Guided tours lead visitors through the magical spaces of Paisley Park, including studios where Prince recorded, produced and mixed many of his biggest hits; exhibit spaces that chronicle films like the global hit Purple Rain; Prince's private NPG Music Club; and a massive soundstage and concert hall where Prince rehearsed for concert tours and held exclusive events and concerts. For more information, visit PaisleyPark.com .

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For more information, contact Rebecca Shapiro and Moya Crowley at [email protected] .