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.
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.[1]
During the second year of the Club, Prince changed the subscription model to mailing out four exclusive CDs throughout the year to members.[2] The CDs for that year were One Nite Alone and the three-disc 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.[3] Instead of CDs or included downloads, Prince switched to selling downloads in the Musicology Download Store[4] 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.[5] It opened on February 14, 2001 and closed on July 4, 2006.[6] Prince replaced the site with 3121.com.[7]