While January 2nd meant little to pooped-out partiers, for fans of the Artist, it was a very special day. On the second night of 1999, the former Prince played his first official gig of the new year in celebration of a song that was released back in 1982. Throwing back to back listening parties for his 1999 New Master, The Artist took over the new Studio 54 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas for the first two nights of 1999.

Even though the MGM Grand informed ticket buyers, at $110 and $150 a pop, that Prince was not guaranteed to perform for more than five minutes either night, expectations were high. The listening party on the 1st featured a performance by long time Prince associates The Time.

Terry Lewis, current mega-producer and former Time member, rejoined the band for the show. No word however, on the whereabouts of his partner, former Time member Jimmy Jam.

Prince joined The Time on stage jamming a for a couple of songs, but kept a low profile. At one point, unknown to most of the crowd, the Artist mixed at the sound board for The Time. After The Time's 75-minute set, the newly mastered version of 1999 was played over the PA system. Prince then took the stage to the crowd's delight, only to announce that he wouldn't be playing. He then retreated to the upstairs VIP lounge for the rest of the night.

Luckier were fans who gambled their 100 plus dollars on a ticket for the second night. Prince joined opener Larry Graham early in the set, sending the crowd into overdrive. The afternoon sound check made it seem like the Artist intended to perform, and the early appearance in Graham's set was a good sign.

In fact, his appearance in Graham's set was a welcome diversion. Playing virtually the same set and the same bass solo since the '97 Jam of the Year tour, Graham's good-intentioned funk is getting tired. After jamming with Graham on some Sly and the Family Stone covers, Prince retreated to the soundboard again where he joined Terry Lewis, who helped with the mix the entire night.

Less than half an hour later, the crowd had what they were waiting for, the Artist and The NPG on stage for their first full set of 1999. Paying special attention to his older songs, the Artist dazzled the crowd for 80 continuous minutes.

Opening with the anthem Jam of the Year, the Artist took over the joint. The audience, most of whom had been waiting for hours, never let the energy level go less than 100%.

Covers of Car Wash and James Brown's Talking Loud and Saying Nothing started a set that almost immediately segued into classic Prince material; Let's Work, Delirious, Little Red Corvette, I Would Die 4 U and even the extended version of Purple Rain, not the truncated version played on recent tours.

At various points, The Artist was joined by special guests, the best of whom was former NPG member Rosie Gaines. Known for her work on the Diamonds and Pearls album, Rosie tore through amazing versions of Nothing Compare 2 U and Gett Off, and even did a beautiful cover of Bob Marley's Redemption Song.

During the encore, The Artist was joined by rapper Doug E. Fresh. Fresh jumped up on a railing, standing above the floor, beatboxing and freestyling while Prince worked the soundboard and chimed in on the mic.

By the time the dust settled, The Artist was upstairs in VIP-land, the fans were exhausted yet satisfied and every piece of 1999 related merchandise was selling like crazy, with one exception. While calendars, T-shirts and hats were in abundance, the song 1999 was nowhere to be found. The Warner Bros. owned version has been flying off store shelves for weeks, but the promised 1999 New Master has yet to be released by The Artist. Rumors persist that the new EP is being delayed because of talks with major labels for a distribution deal.

The Artist's official website love4oneanother has announced a web broadcast of the January 2nd show, although technical problems have caused multiple delays. When these problems are worked out, the webcast promises to be available on demand for at least a few days. Love4oneanother asks users to check back for technical updates.