Today, we’re diving into some exciting news: the official Prince accounts just announced that Diamonds and Pearls Super Deluxe Edition has been submitted for several Grammy categories, including Best Historical Album, Best Boxed Limited Edition Package, Best Immersive Audio Album, and Best Liner Notes. I contributed an essay to the set's liner notes, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my thoughts.

In this episode, we're trying something different. I used Google’s Notebook LM, an AI-powered virtual research assistant, to analyze my essay. It generated a podcast of AI voices discussing my work, and I was amazed at how well it captured the nuances of my writing. You’ll hear a unique blend of technology and artistry in what follows.

Tune in for this AI-driven experiment, and let me know what you think! Find me on X or Instagram @darlingnisi.

Check out Prince's Diamonds and Pearls Super Deluxe Edition Box Set or stream it on your favorite provider!

With the outcry about Prince's estate taking down unauthorized fan merch, commentary on what Prince should or shouldn’t have released, or even fiery opinions about “what he would have wanted”, there is important historical context that should be explored. With special guest Anjali Vats, we place Prince's crusade for the control of his own intellectual property in context with the historical struggle of Black people and their agency or lack thereof over their own bodies and bodies of work. 

Commentary around Prince often notes his “magical” quality as he seemed to be someone who defied definition or even understanding. In this 2-part episode, we thread the connotation of the word “magic”  through the trope of the “magical Negro” to weave a nuanced conversation exploring Prince’s embodiment of Black exceptionalism.

Guests : Kamillah Cummings, Erica Thompson, Tonya Pendleton

What did you just feel? What is it about Prince that makes us so suspicious of the women in his life? Why are some ladies celebrated while others are disparaged? Why aren’t Prince’s later associates not also allowed to be multi-dimensional? We have a discussion about the prejudice against women in the purple world and explore the artistry of his later proteges, muses, and associates.

In this special #LessonsFromTheProfessor episode, the ladies give advice about how to woo women, citing lessons from a one Professor Nelson.