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The Grammy-winning musician, appearing at Royal Farms Arena
along with his backing band 3RDEYEGIRL, performed such hits as
"When Doves Cry" and "Raspberry Beret", as well as a new song
called "Baltimore," which he dedicated to the city.
"We are here for you tonight," he said.
"It's going to be all right. We're going to figure this thing
out," Prince said while performing "Purple Rain."
"It's going to take the young people to fix it this time. We
need new ideas," he said.
Fan Jamal Terrell, 41, said: "I think he showed why he's still
extremely important. He brought a community together."
"It's much bigger than a color issue. There's people from all
walks of life here," Terrell said.
Surprise guests were promised, and delivered, including Doug E.
Fresh and Miguel.
Returning to the stage for one of many encores, Prince said, "No
curfew," a reference to the citywide curfew put in place after
rioting in Baltimore last month.
Many concert-goers wore gray in response to promotional images,
an apparent reference to Freddie Gray, who died in a Baltimore
hospital a week after his arrest on April 12.
Streaming service Tidal, which carried the event, said a portion
of the proceeds would go toward funding Baltimore youth
charities.
Gray's death became the latest flashpoint in a national outcry
over police killings of unarmed black men and other minority
groups in the United States. It provoked weeks of
protests punctuated by a day of riots, arson and looting in
Baltimore on April 27.
Days later Baltimore's chief prosecutor announced charges
against all six police officers involved in Gray's arrest,
ranging from misconduct in office to second degree murder.
Prince released "Baltimore" ahead of the concert, featuring
performer Eryn Allen Kane and which includes a mention of Gray.
While Gray was not killed by gunfire, the song urges: "Let's
take all the guns away."
(Reporting by Lacey Johnson in Baltimore; Writing by Dan
Whitcomb; Editing by Eric Walsh, Chris Michaud and Paul Tait)
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