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Articles on Prince

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There has been a public outpouring of love for the dancer and producer Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss who died this week at the age of 40. (Donald Traill/JetBlue's Soar with Reading Program via AP Images)

Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s death should spark real conversations about the cost of Black celebrity

A scholar of Black entertainment history reflects on the death of producer Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss and reflects on the history of Black male entertainers dancing or telling jokes to their deaths.
The Minneapolis public school system helped to musically educate artists like Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. John Ferguson/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

An 11-year-old Prince spoke out in support of his striking Minneapolis teachers – a historian of the city’s music scene explains why

Music education in Minneapolis public schools stood out as one of the best and gave rise to the city’s music scene that helped propel Prince to fame, a scholar writes.
Prince performs at Minneapolis’ First Avenue nightclub in August 1983. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

How Minneapolis made Prince

Prince was a musical genius, but he didn’t come of age in a vacuum. A human geographer explains how Minneapolis’ unique musical culture nurtured and inspired the budding star.
Prince performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Steve Marcus/Reuters

Are pop stars destined to die young?

For those on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Artists, their life expectancy is on par with the people of Chad, the nation with the lowest life expectancy in the world.
Beyonce performing at the Super Bowl. Larry W. Smith/EPA

Why Beyoncé matters

Her visual album Lemonade is important for more reasons than you might think. Pop may never be the same again.
Prince performs on stage at Yas Arena in Yas Island, 2010. Jumanah El-Heloueh

Prince: a pop chameleon whose music contained multitudes

Despite Prince’s many transformations – musically and visually – he extended his signature energy over 39 albums. His broad sonic church attracted fans from every walk of life.

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