After Black Alley frontwoman Kacey Williams sang two words, it was obvious who was going to triumph in the Battle of the Bands Sunday night at Paisley Park.

Black Alley from Washington, D.C., was the winner, topping two Twin Cities groups in the first annual Musicology – Battle of the Bands. The winners will return to Paisley Park for a recording session and a mentoring meeting with former Prince musicians.

“Um, oh,” Williams said, fighting back tears, when she accepted the winners’ plaque. “We are just so honored to be here. We’re not from here but it felt like home.”

The hometown finalists were Pho and Illism.

Illism features the husband-and-wife duo of Envy, a rapper, and Fancy, a singer. Their hip-hop/soul concept is a good one but neither has the enunciation or oomph to command a stage.

Pho is a jazz-funk instrumental group with admirable musical chops but they need more dynamic arrangements and a featured soloist or two to take charge and make the performances more memorable. Pho faces the challenge of being background music. Moreover, if you’re going to perform in Prince’s house, dress for the occasion so you look like a band.

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