By Edna Gundersen, USA TODAY
Billed as "xquisite" and "xotic," Prince's upcoming release is music to the nose.
The pop funkster's new fragrance, 3121, named after his 2006 album, will be unveiled Saturday in Minneapolis during an in-store performance at Macy's, the scent's exclusive carrier. Seven charities, including City of Hope, Urban Farming and Sheila E's Elevate Hope Foundation, will receive 7% of sales made that day at 3121perfume.com.

When Prince began shopping for a perfumer, he rejected big firms and settled on small Philadelphia-based Revelations.

Prince seldom comments about such ventures, but Revelations CEO Larry Couey doesn't mind sharing details. The Jehovah's Witness convert "was intrigued by our name," Couey says. He "liked that we had a fragrance called Truth. He said he'd never smelled the truth."

Prince decreed a purple and gold box, an emerald-cut violet bottle, a vertically stacked logo and no photos of him on the package. And the scent? "He knew what notes he wanted: a lot of musk, sandalwood and cedar," Couey says. "We went back and forth, tweaking and adjusting. Once we got it, he loved it. He said, 'Get me 12 bottles, and keep me in supply.' "

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Reuters | Prince | Macy's | Revelations | Fred Prouser
Like Prince's earlier Get Wild fragrance, 3121 is gender-neutral. "It's sensual," Couey says. "It's unisex, but his fan base is 80% female, so it leans toward the feminine." Prices are $43 to $77 for a gift set.

Why jump on the celebrity fragrance bandwagon with fellow music-makers Britney Spears, Diddy, Carlos Santana, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé? Making scents makes sense. Star brands accounted for 7% of the $2.8 billion consumers in the USA spent on fragrances last year, market research firm NPD Group says.

It's a coup for Couey, who also produces Stoked, represented by surfer/amputee Bethany Hamilton.

"This puts us on the map," he says. "And working with Prince is a thrill. He radiates passion."

http://www.usatoday.com/l...cent_N.htm

that's awesome! now if only he'd COME to philadelphia

he RADIATES passion!!! i love it!!!

I'm ready! Bring on the perfume!!

Can't wait 4 07/07/07!

I'm wearing it now. It's yummy.

Gimme, gimme, gimme.

psychodelicide said:

It's a little too floral for my taste, but I wore it to work one day. Unfortunately, it gave me a headache!

I'd buy it for collectible purposes, but not to wear regularly.
[Edited 7/5/07 13:17pm]

Genesia said:

I think you must be the first person that's said that...
Nice to hear...can't wait to try it myself....

Nothinbutjoy said:

Hi Joy.

Obsidian said:

i want some too !!!!

psychodelicide said:

Hi Nan-y!!!

obsessed said:

It is extremely floral -- so if that's not your thing, you probably won't like it.

I can tell you one thing, though -- I ain't wearin' it where Prince fans are expected to gather. I hate smellin' like a gazillion other people -- no matter how awesome the scent is.

prime said:

Eww.....I usually spring for light scents along the lines of Calgon's Morning Glory and Cool Water.....so anything with musk doesn't appeal to me.

All of the women I know really do not like the scent...but I can't tell you how many men comment on how lovely it smells...I wear it all the time...when I tell them it is Prince's new perfume they are like "WOW really???"
[Edited 7/5/07 14:16pm]

Where can I get a bottle?


....oh man, I feel like such a fam

"...Prince's fanbase is 80% female..."

How is that measured? I for one, don't know any women who like him!

thekidsgirl said:

Nevermind, I see Macy's is the answer to my question

Genesia said:

Normally I like something lighter...but this is Prince we're talkin'
here....gotta give it a try anyway.....I own a couple of heavier scents, so
his won't be the first.....

I see what you mean about a Prince gathering however...think I'll stick to
something light...

okay...anyone else disturbed that he picked a company based on names?

sosgemini said:

Didn't say he picked it based on it's name...

Says he was intrigued by the name.

isnt this perfume just for women?

obsessed said:

Yeah, it's really not a summer fragrance. You know how, when the weather's hot, heavy fragrances make you feel even warmer?

This one's like that.

I can't wait, I'm ready for a new scent

Quick question! Will it be available to purchace in Europe?? We don't have macy's here

prime said:

I can TOTALLY imagine him saying that! With a serious look on his face and everything! If I had been there, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself from laughing.

I love that guy...
[Edited 7/5/07 16:08pm]

btrfly said:

somebody's bound to sell it on Ebay ..

Couey says. He "liked that we had a fragrance called Truth. He said he'd never smelled the truth."

I totally love that line