**Andre Cymone released his album “The Resurrection of Funk.” The 53-minute album spans 15 songs reminiscent of The Minneapolis Sound he helped develop as a kid in North Minneapolis.**

Photos and story by Azhae’la Hanson, Asst. Editor

Northside native and musical artist André Cymone was walking through Leimert Park in Los Angeles, where he currently resides, and asked himself one question: Where is the funk?

This question led to the development of his new self-mixed album titled “Resurrection of Funk,” and he debuted the album at the Capri Theater on Oct. 3. The sold-out show was his first time performing at the Capri since he took the stage four decades ago with his childhood friend, Prince, for their first performance as Grand Central Band in 1979.

Cymone’s performance came as the Capri approaches its 100th anniversary as a cultural institution in North Minneapolis.

**Cymone returned to the theater where he and Prince had their first big show.**

He told North News that the first words that came to his mind about his newest album are "content" and "reborn".

“I had to reclaim my funk,” he said. “I always did funk, but you know other people got a lot more credit for the funk I helped to create than I did.”

Those familiar with the origins of The Minneapolis Sound know that it began on the Northside. Its origins trace back to the basement of Bernadette Anderson, a beloved Northside community pillar and Cymone's mother, where Cymone and Prince grew up.

“The rest was history,” he said. “We created The Sound together in my mother's house, and because I was such a part of that, I take pride in that.”

Since then, he went to Los Angeles to songwrite and produce a half-dozen hit singles that blended futuristic pop, new wave, and funk. He released his last album, “1969,” a decade ago, in 2017.

Upon returning to Minneapolis, Cymone did his rounds with the media, which he said he hadn't done in the last 27 years. He said he came home to take questions because he finally had something to say.

**André Cymone performed at the Capri as the theater approaches its 100-year anniversary as a cultural institution in North Minneapolis.**

In an interview with North News, Cymone said storytelling is a lost art. He sees his role in the entertainment business as defined by his message. His music has always included notes of social commentary that can accompany a movement.

“I think it's really important for people to understand the role that musicians and artists used to play originally,” he said. “You know, a lot of people lost the plot about what the power of music actually is.”

“Nobody's speaking about issues beyond ‘Club, party, girls’, all that kind of stuff. I wanted to still talk about ‘club’, ‘parties’, and “girls’ and stuff, but also slide in some subliminal messaging just to give people something to think about.”

André Cymone resurrects funk at the Capri Theater