Bay Area DJ Discovered By Prince, Toured With Him In Final Weeks

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) – A Bay Area DJ who was discovered by Prince last month and toured with him in the final weeks of his life told KPIX 5 on Thursday she was stunned by the singer's sudden death.

"I'm still in shock," said Pam Warren. "I can't even explain the experience that I've had with him in a short time."

Pam Warren runs a catering business by day, working as the executive chef. On most weekend nights, Warren is known as "Pam the Funkstress," a DJ of the highest caliber.

Warren has a long-standing reputation as one of the Bay Area's most popular hip-hop DJs. After getting started in the late '80s, Warren joined noted local hip-hop group The Coup, touring extensively and contributing to their first three albums.

She was also a popular DJ at nightclubs and eventually split from the group. More recently, she has become a regular DJ on the airwaves at radio station KBLX. Her working relationship with Prince only began a few short weeks ago.

"We just had some kind of musical connection together," Warren told KPIX 5.

• IMAGES: Prince Through The Years

When Prince came to town recently, he discovered her and asked her to play at the after party for his March 4th concert at Oracle Arena that was held at the Great American Music Hall.

"I mean he hit some keys that just ... it was a one man show. And then when he said, 'DJ, give me a scratch' and then I scratched and he looked up…me and him just had a connection," Warren recalled.

Prince was so impressed, he asked her to join him onstage on tour. And re-nicknamed her Purple Pam and Turntable Queen.

"And when he'd just say, 'Turntable Queen you can scratch if you want to.' When he sang that the first time, I felt special. Like, 'Wow! He sang to me,'" Warren said.

• IMAGES: Bay Area's Role In Prince's Music Career Began With 1st Album

Warren looked back on the tour. "And every show he asked the crowd, 'What do you think of the DJ?' And everybody's response was amazing," she said. "And the last show he asked that he said, 'Now, that's MY DJ.'"

The last show was Saturday night at Paisley Park, near Minneapolis. Prince was found dead at Paisley Park Thursday morning.

"You know what's killing me right now? I go home today and these come in the mail. They are my personalized purple records. Here I am, I was ready to play these, to show Prince, and I can't now," Warren said. "This hurts me right here, to know I won't be able to play these for him anymore."