Prince’s sister and her band, Tyka Nelson featuring The Word, will make their live Minneapolis debut Friday, December 12th, 2008 at Bunkers Bar & Grill, 716 North Washington Avenue in Minneapolis. The night will be a celebration of the release of her new CD, "A Brand New Me". Music will begin at 9:30 PM and the cover charge will be $8.00 at the door. Special guests Arc Flash Hazard will open the show. For more information, please call Bunkers at (612) 338-8188.

Tyka Nelson is an extraordinarily talented singer, songwriter and musician, and is also the only full sister of “Rock Legend” Prince. Tyka grew up surrounded by music. The Minneapolis based Artist is the daughter of Jazz singer Mattie Shaw, and accomplished musician John L. Nelson. Growing up Tyka listened to Mahalia Jackson records and began singing at the age of two. She wrote her first song at the age of ten. Tyka plays many different instruments including piano, guitar, bass and clarinet but admits; "I don't consider myself a musician, I play just well enough to put down my own musical ideas."

Her major label debut “Royal Blue” released on Chrysalis Records in 1988 received rave reviews. ''Billboard Magazine decreed that Tyka's ''pure, angelic voice and fine songwriting'' should ''dispel the talk that she is merely cruising on her brother's name”. Her first single, “Marc Anthony's Tune”, quickly climbed the “Top 40 Urban Contemporary” charts and was also a huge summer hit in Europe, the UK and the Netherlands that same year. “Yellow Moon Red Sky”, her second CD, was released on Ichiban Records in 1992 and also received critical acclaim.

Tyka’s new CD, "A Brand New Me", combines her love for Gospel music with R&B, Funk, Pop and that special “Minneapolis Sound” that gives Tyka her own unique style. The CD inspires and uplifts it's listeners as one fan proclaimed in a recent online review, "Tyka Nelson gave me my joy back”! She wrote, "Listening to her song "Joy" in particular has encouraged me to find a church home so that I can have that weekly joy with others who are striving for a spiritual balance in their life."

Tyka wrote, sang lead and background vocals, produced, recorded and engineered each song, blending her various influences into her own uncompromising style. When people have asked if Prince had anything to do with the production, Tyka simply admits, "I sing whatever comes out, and if it sounds like him I don't know it until someone tells me. Then I think maybe I should change it, but then I think, since it's really me, why? It is not my intent to sound like anyone else, and I have strived to be original in everything I do. Even though my brother is someone I greatly respect, there can and will be only one Prince”.

Tyka’s new CD "A Brand New Me" is currently available at The Electric Fetus, and will be available at Bunkers and online at www.CDBaby.com beginning December 12th, 2008.

Tyke will also be live on some local television stations - Saturday Nov. 22, Kare 11, 8a.m. - 9a.m., and Minnesota Showcase Dec. 10th, 08 at 10a.m.

Love

WTF has this got to do with PRINCE???

jonylawson said:

It's his sister.....

I heared her song and listened to an interview with her in June. The song was ... it did sound like Prince was in the back ground. She said P had nothing to do with it because he likes to take over and she wanted it to be her thang. She also talked about her drug problems in the past. The info would get back to Prince and he would put her threw rehab and try to help her out... pretty good interview.

Good 4 Tyka ... I'll buy it ...

jonylawson said:

HINT: it's kind of subtle. it's the first two words of the news item description.

I bought 2 of her songs off her myspace page when it first came out. "Joy" is a favorite. I have a co-worker who sings in a Gospel Choir that released a CD last year, so I will buy Tyka's cd as a Christmas present for my co-worker.
[Edited 11/21/08 19:29pm]

Joy is also my favorite, Tyka's sound is like her brothers, which doesn't surprise me they are brother and sister. She is sweet, and funky to:)

C3PO said:

'Marc Anthony's tune' a summer hit in Europe? UK? Holland? what? when?

I don't remember it, and i was about.

Tyka is pretty poor as i recall.

She does sound like Prince but... Congrats!

I have thought about checking out the release party just to support the cause and REALLY listen to her songs and music without thinking she's a female version of Prince.

They, her and Prince, like that falsetto sound, but I've noticed Prince uses his voice in its deep baritone also, I wonder if Tyka sings in her own voice as well.

Still I wish her much success.

jonylawson said:

EVERYTHING.... !!

Did anyone see her on the Minneapolis stations KARE11 this morning? If so what did you think?

U go girl!

I so hate not living where a party is.

musiclover44 said:

It was GREAT!! Live & Funky all in 1!!

blessings, Tyka

That must break Prince's heart that his sister is promoting Pentacostal churches on her Myspace.

No doubt he did not collaborate with her on her CD.

Now who wants to start the best that Prince will NOT be showing up for this event lol.....


btw Bunkers u all could do a little ~ummmmm updates~ in u're "place"

The CD is already listed on CDBaby with a nice bio. You can hear samples of the tracks too.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/tykanelson

luluQueen said:

I think he might show up. It would be nice and supportive of him if he did. He's gone to see other gospel artists and he's gone to shows at Bunkers before...

There is really no reason why he couldn't show up.

PaisleyRose said:

Trust me. He will NOT be there.

Marrk said:

I recall it from back then. Don't think it was a huge hit.

Her album did chart in the Netherlands, 307th on the yearlist:
http://www.hitsallertijde...s/1988.htm

BartVanHemelen said:

Can't speak for the rest of the UK but Marc Anthony's Tune was played a lot on local London radio stations during the time of its release.

jonylawson said:

wat

simm0061 said:

What a Shame some think they can speak 4 another!! This is about Tyka, and she has ALL the Love and support from her family - lets make this clear!!

Peace & Love!!

C3PO said:

Exactly Right C3PO! Just because you don't see him, doesn't mean he isn't there

Here is the link to the video of the KARE 11 appearance.
http://www.kare11.com/vid...&aid=88774

If the link doesn't work just go to www.kare11.com and do a search for Tyka Nelson, then click on the Video link on the right.

oh no, the backing singers are killing this performance. Tyka, please get some decent vocalists doing back ups. Good luck by the way and lets hope for once P does the right & decent thing!.

funkyhead said:

I noticed that too. The backup singer has a strong voice and is drowning out Tyka's voice. He needs to pull back a bit and let her shine through. Hopefully if she and her management team watched the replay, they noticed that. With that being said, I wish Tyka the best with her singing career.
[Edited 11/23/08 19:49pm]

The problem lies not with the backup singers, but with the tv station's terrible mix of the performance. Obviously no soundcheck that early on Saturday morning.