Prince stages surprise show in basement

Rex Features

Prince has launched his new website by staging a gig in the basement of his Los Angeles home, reports NME.

The 'Purple Rain' star performed into the early hours of the morning for invited guests, including soul singer Anita Baker. The setlist featured the songs 'Controversy', 'I Feel For You', 'Alphabet Street' and a cover of the Rolling Stones's 'Miss You'.

Prince's new site, Lotusflow3r.com, will stream music and video and offer exclusive content to subscribers. The 50-year-old will release his albums MPLSound and Lotus Flow3r on the site this year, in addition to the debut album from his protégé Bria Valente.

The LPs will be Prince's first since 2007's Planet Earth, which he released in the UK as a free covermount with The Mail On Sunday.