Listen to Prince Unveil the New Power Generation at a 4 a.m. Show in 1993

Did you know that Paste owns the world’s largest collection of live music recordings? It’s true! And what’s even crazier, it’s all free—hundreds of thousands of exclusive songs, concerts and videos that you can listen to and watch right here at Paste.com, from Lightnin’ Hopkins to Cream to Eminem to Prince. Every day, we’ll dig through the archive for the coolest recording we have from that date in history. Search and enjoy!

Get Free Access to the Vault With the Paste Music & Daytrotter Mobile App

In 1993, Prince, who already was in the midst of a public legal dispute with Warner Brothers over inexpedient and uncooperative album releases, invited further controversy: He changed his name to an unpronounceable “Love Symbol,” which soon translated to “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.” He also began performing with the New Power Generation, which allowed him to release music outside of his contract. His project with the NPG, which generated a more independent and urban sound, became the most exciting live act in 1993, traveling the world that year on the sold out Act I and II Tour. On April 10-11, 1993, Prince stopped at San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium—but for most days of the tour, he and the NPG also performed more intimate and experimental late-night sets at smaller venues in each city.

In the early morning hours of April 12, Prince and the NPG performed at the DNA Lounge, taking the stage at 3:30a.m. for set I, a funky, sexy, dance-fueled performance. After a short intermission, the impressive group returned for set number two, performing an eclectic set of vintage and newer material, covers and an unreleased track. It was well after 4 a.m. at the start of this set, but Prince and the NPG showed no signs of slowing down. Listen to the group open with the Staples Singers’ “I’ll Take You There,” and close it out with “Sexy MF/Love 2 The 9s,” off The Love Symbol Album from 1992.