Princess: The Minneapolis Funk and R&B Trailblazer

Princess is the stage name of American singer and songwriter Princess L. Hare, a key figure in the Minneapolis funk and R&B scene of the early 1980s. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, she is best known for her 1984 gold-certified single Say I'm Your Number One, which became a major international hit.

Early career

Born in 1964, Princess began her professional music career as a teenager. She was discovered by musician and producer Jamie Starr, a pseudonym often associated with Prince, who signed her to his independent label, Starr Company Records.

Her debut single, I'll Keep My Heart, was released in 1981. This early work established her connection to the burgeoning and distinctive Minneapolis sound that was gaining national attention.

Breakthrough

Princess achieved her commercial breakthrough in 1984 with the release of her self-titled debut album on the CBS/Epic label. The album's lead single, Say I'm Your Number One, co-written and produced by Jesse Johnson of The Time, became a massive success.

The track reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and charted across Europe and Australia, eventually earning a gold certification in the UK for sales exceeding 500,000 copies. This success solidified her place in the wave of Minneapolis artists dominating the 1980s.

Key tracks

Say I'm Your Number One — This 1984 single is her signature hit, achieving gold status and defining the sleek, synth-driven Minneapolis funk sound.

After the Love Has Gone — A popular follow-up single from her debut album that further showcased her vocal style and continued her chart presence in Europe.

In the Heat of the Passion — A track from her 1986 sophomore album that demonstrated a continued evolution within the funk and contemporary R&B genres.

Her second album, Princess (1986), featured production from fellow Minneapolis figure André Cymone. While it did not replicate the massive success of her debut, it maintained her artistic profile with singles like Tell Me Tomorrow.

Collaborations were a hallmark of her career, including work with producers David Z. and Jesse Johnson. Her music remains a staple on 80s-themed playlists and radio, representing a specific and influential era in pop-funk history.

Fans of Princess's brand of 80s funk and R&B often appreciate the work of similar artists from the same era and scene. Prince was the pioneering force behind the entire Minneapolis sound. The Time shared producers and the same tight, funk-oriented aesthetic. Vanity 6 explored similar synth-funk territory under the same creative umbrella. Sheila E brought a percussive, Latin-tinged funk style from the same musical family.

The music of Princess is a regular feature on classic 80s FM stations and dedicated retro R&B radio streams. Her hits are frequently included in rotations that celebrate the definitive pop and funk anthems of the decade, ensuring her sound reaches both nostalgic listeners and new audiences.

You can hear the classic funk and R&B tracks of Princess on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover her influential 1980s catalog through the classic hits and specialty genre stations available on onairium.com.