Prince plays surprise gig in his own basement

Prince launched his new website by playing a private gig at his Los Angeles home at the weekend (January 31).

The show witnessed by a handful of competition winners, journalists - including NME.COM and invited guests including soul singer Anita Baker and Prince’s protégée Bria Valente, saw the "purple one" perform a mammoth set with a full band in the basement of his Beverley Park mansion until around 3am (PST).

Songs Prince played included 'Controversy', 'I Feel For You', 'Alphabet Street', 'Guitar' and covers of 'Le Freak' by , 'Stand' by Sly And The Family Stone and The Rolling Stones' 'Miss You'.

Earlier, guests had been given a sneak-preview guided tour of his new website, Lotusflow3r.com.

The site, features a futuristic, otherworldly theme inspired by the title track of his forthcoming album 'Lotus Flow3r' will stream music and video, while subscription paying fans can access exclusive content.

Prince will also release three albums through the website this year, which include his own 'MPLSound', 'Lotus Flow3r' and the debut album from Bria Valente.

To find out what it was like to to attend an exclusive gig in Prince's own house head to the the NME Blog now for our exclusive eyewitness report.