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1800newfunk.com

1997/2002

1800newfunk.com launched in 1997 to initially process orders for the Crystal Ball CD set. This pioneering website, designed by Sam Jennings, became the first website by a major artist to offer an alternative to the traditional means of selling music – the retail of music online. An entirely in-house operation, the website’s purpose to sell music directly to fans also enjoyed an increased profit from every sale. The creation of the website was formed from the ashes of Prince’s merchandise stores in London and Minneapolis which closed in 1996 and their music products added to the range of 1800newfunk.com and which became Prince’s new official retail arm. The website served in this capacity until the retail operation was merged into the NPG Music Club in 2002. A toll-free ordering line was also added: 1-800-NEWFUNK.

1800newfunk.com categorised the merchandise into 5 categories: Music, Ice (jewelry), Lifestyle (mugs, calendars, tourbooks), NPG Gear (apparel), and Posters. The website relaunched in 2000 but only ever offered physical music releases. Much of its remaining stock following its closure in 2002 was sold off at later concerts. Manuela Testolini, an employee of NPG Retail, married Prince in 2001. They divorced in 2006.