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Questlove, Prince muse Anna Fantastic and Billboard hip-hop editor Gail Mitchell were in the crowd that attended the IMAX screening of Prince’s Sign O’ The Times in Los Angeles Tuesday night. Mitchell opened the event with remarks and Prince’s childhood friend and estate representative Charles Spicer Jr. introduced the film. The attendees had a pre-show celebration in a room decorated in purple and they honored Prince’s contributions to music and pop culture and his lasting influence. The Roots’ co-founder and drummer Questlove, who also got to share the stage with Prince, was snapped with Anna Fantastic, who inspired “Pink Cashmere” and “Lemon Crush.” Prince’s legendary lighting designer LeRoy Bennett; actors Kingston Rumi Southwick (Presumed Innocent), Kelvin Brown, and Anika Poitier (actress/director and daughter of Sidney Poitier); DJ Alix Brown; filmmaker/DJ Michelle Kath Sinclair; content creator Ashamad Heard; influencer Simply SashaAnne and a mix of cultural creatives and industry folk got a first look at the IMAX version of the film. Sign O’ The Times was Prince’s second double album and third movie. The album was the next level of Prince’s innovations in pop music and the movie captured one of his peak moments as a live performer. The IMAX film opens in theaters today for a one-week run and tickets are available through the IMAX site. 

Spike Lee, Don Lemon, and Taye Diggs were amongst the crowd that attended an IMAX screening of Prince’s Sign O’ The Times concert movie in New York Wednesday night. IMAX, Mercury Studios, FilmRise, and Paisley Park Studios hosted the event at the KMC Kips Bay 15 IMAX theatre in New York City. The evening started with attendees walking the purple carpet and standing in front of a floral arrangement and sharing their observations on Prince’s legacy. Luann de Lesseps, Dianne Brill, Amir Arison, and Genevieve Gorder joined artists and musicians, including members of Interpol, Eugene Hutz (Gogo Bordello), Blu DeTiger, and Emmett Skye, along with designers and cultural figures in honoring Prince’s artistry. DJs AKU (Florence & The Machine), The Muses, Rex DeTiger, and a surprise live tribute performance provided the entertainment while guests sipped on purple cocktails.

Sign O’ The Times is one of the most important concert films, as it captured Prince at his height and was the companion film to an equally significant album. It was Prince’s second time directing a film, having done so previously with Under The Cherry Moon. Sign O’ The Times was praised by critics, unlike UTCM and despite it not doing so well at the box office, it has become an essential part of the Prince story and pop music. The IMAX version of the film will be available on streaming platforms and in theaters on August 29th. 

“Soft and Wet” is Prince’s first solo single, released on June 7, 1978, which was his 20th birthday. He co-wrote the song with Chris Moon as part of the work done for his debut album, For You. Prince operated as a one-man band on the album, and for “Soft and Wet,” he played synthesizers, guitar, drums, and clavinet. The sensual funk of “Soft and Wet” introduced Prince’s falsetto, dripping with desire, on a bed of slinky synths, smacking handclaps, and an enchanting solo that was a precursor to the sound of Dirty Mind. “Soft and Wet” was a Top 20 hit on the Soul Singles chart and For You made it to 163 on the Billboard 200. For You introduced one of the most important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries and was the start of a very long recording career. Londell McMillan announced a Ryan Coogler-directed musical movie about Prince, a box set of Around The World In A Day and vinyl versions of Hit and Run Phases One and Two at the Prince Celebration 2025.