Prince Announces The Welcome 2 America Tour With Janelle Monae

Becky Bain | October 18, 2010 11:20 am

Prince visited New York’s legendary Apollo Theater last week to announce his Welcome 2 America tour, which will kick off this December and feature an array of performers, including Janelle Monae. “Bring your friends, bring your children, and bring foot spray, because it’s going to be funky,” said the Purple One. Need more convincing than that? We didn’t think so. More details and a brand new Prince song, “Rich Friends”, awaits you after the jump.

The music icon referred to his Welcome 2 America tour vaguely as being “multiple nights of entertainment”, insinuating that it will consist of a string of concerts at one specific theater, much like he did with his Earth tour performances at London’s 02 Arena in 2007.

Even if he stays in one spot or jumps around, the artist is betting you’ll want to party with Prince & Friends more than once: “Come early, come often,” he said. “I have a lot of hits. No two shows will be the same.”

Joining the R&B star’s “favorite new artist” Janelle Monae — who we already know is as stylish and stellar a live performer as Prince — will be guests Maceo Parker, Cassandra Wilson, Sheila E., Mint Condition, Esperanza Spalding, Sinbad and others.

The majestic performer also played his new single, “Rich Friends” for the crowd at his press conference. Listen to a radio rip here:

[wpaudio url=”//idolator.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/prince-rich-friends.mp3″ text=”Prince – Rich Friends” dl=”0″]

“Who needs money when you got rich friends?” sings Prince. “Who needs a bank account when the bank don’t lend?”

It’s a super simple production, yet a fantastic example of how Prince is as funky now as he was decades ago. And it’s infinitely more accessible than his previous ambitious songs that were sprawling and unfocused.

Are you planning to see Prince and all his spectacular lineup of pals live in person? We know Nick Jonas will probably be in attendance. Hope he doesn’t forget that foot spray!