NPG Music Club was the official website for Prince from 2001 to 2006, and was named after Prince's New Power Generation band. Based on being one of the first mainstream artists to use the internet as an independent music distribution hub, Prince won a Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for the site in 2006.
Contents
Membership was either $7.77 for a Basic Monthly Membership or $99 for a Premium Annual Membership. Basic Monthly Membership entitled members to a minimum of three new Prince songs each month, often accompanied by corresponding music videos, and a free one-hour radio show (podcast) hosted by Prince and other NPG members. The podcasts featured music, commentary and original skits. Premium Annual Membership were additionally entitled to more downloads, preferred seating at all Prince concerts, and VIP passes to all after shows and parties. Plus they got a free copy of the limited Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic album.
During the second year of the Club, Prince changed the subscription model to mailing out 4 exclusive CDs throughout the year to members. The CDs for that year were One Nite Alone and the 3 CD One Nite Alone... Live! Box Set. Members also got a free download of Prince's instrumental Xpectation album at the end of the year. Presale concert tickets continued to be offered exclusively to members
Entering into its third year, Prince lowered the membership price to $25 for a lifetime membership. Instead of CDs or included downloads, Prince switched to selling downloads in the Musicology Download Store that were discounted for members. Presale concert tickets for the best seats on his Musicology Tour were also made available exclusively to members.
The site had around 400,000 members. It opened on February 14, 2001 and closed on July 4, 2006. The site was replaced by 3121.com.
Webby Award
Prince won a Webby Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, largely because of the NPG Music Club. Tiffany Shlain, founder of the awards, described Prince as a "musical genius" and "a visionary, who recognized early on that the Web would completely change how we experience music." Prince accepted his Webby Award personally in New York. Following the tradition of the awards in which each winner must only use five words as an acceptance speech, his speech was, "Everything you think is true." He performed an acoustic version of "Don't Play Me" at the ceremony. The NPG Music Club won its own, separate Webby Award that year for Best Celebrity/Fan site. Sam Jennings, the site's webmaster, accepted the award at the ceremony and gave his five word speech, "Prince says eliminate the middle-man."
Lawsuit
HM Publishing Holdings, a publishing company in England, filed a trademark lawsuit against the site on July 3, 2006, claiming that NPG Music Club infringed on the name of their science book division the Nature Publishing Group (NPG). Prince closed the site 24 hours later. David Schelzel, Prince's attorney, said "Prince's use of the NPG...trademarks is no way in jeopardy", and stated Prince had permission from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to use the name. Despite these events occurring on the same day, Prince's attorney has called it pure coincidence and stated that the site did not close due to the trademark dispute.
Closing email sent to subscribers
"Greetings Family,
The NPG Music Club has been in existence 4 more than 5 years. In that time we've learned a great deal from each other and about this brave new online world we have all chosen 2 b part of. The members we have been 4tunate enough 2 have join r family have truly made this the best music club any artist could ever dream of. And all the things we have been a part of 2gether -- the concerts, the celebrations, the soundchecks, the discussions and the un4gettable music -- have shown us what a New Power Generation can truly b. We thank u from r hearts 4 sharing urselves and ur love of the music with all of us. It has been a blessing.
Once the NPG Music Club won the 2006 Webby Award, discussions within the NPG began 2 center on what was next. What’s the next step in this ever-changing xperiment? The achievements of the past cannot be questioned and we r truly grateful 4 everything that has been accomplished. But in its current 4m there is a feeling that the NPGMC gone as far as it can go. In a world without limitations and infinite possibilities, has the time come 2 once again make a leap of faith and begin anew? These r ?s we in the NPG need 2 answer. In doing so, we have decided 2 put the club on hiatus until further notice.
The NPG Music Club was a first step; the lessons learned will last 4ever. Now comes a time of great reflection and restructuring. The future holds nothing but endless opportunity and we plan on seizing it wholeheartedly. Don’t u want 2 come?
Love4oneanother, NPG Music Club 4ever
NOTE: We will be sending emales when there is an update."