Eight Notes to Heaven at The Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston

A Clash of Titans: Rick James vs. Prince Born James Ambrose Johnson in Buffalo, NY, RickJames (1948–2004) revolutionized late’70s and ’80s funk with genreblending anthems such as “SuperFreak,” “Mary Jane,” and “Fire & Desire.” Across town, Minneapolis’ prodigy Prince Rogers Nelson (1958–2016) forged a path of his own, penning hits for Madonna, Vanity6, and more, while dazzling stages with his genredefying flair. Their rivalry—fueled by MTV snubs and personal slights—became the stuff of legend. Eight Notes to Heaven dramatizes this creative showdown with humor, heart, and an original score that captures the electric energy of the era.bh

Vincent Victoria Presents (VVP), the awardwinning nonprofit theater company renowned for its vibrant portrayals of African Diaspora history, is set to ignite the screen with its latest cinematic venture, Eight Notes to Heaven. This electrifying fictional satire based on real events reconstructs the 1980s’ most infamous musical rivalry—Rick James vs. Prince—for the first time in film. Bryce Ivan stars as PunkFunk pioneer Rick James, opposite Taylor Getwood’s magnetic portrayal of Prince.