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The Prince Mixtape

CNN Podcasts 10 Episodes Aug 16, 2026

The Prince Mixtape is a podcast series that explores the life and legacy of music icon Prince through interviews with those who knew him, collaborated with him, or admired him from a distance. Hosted by Nichole Perkins, each episode delves into pivotal moments in Prince's career, including the controversy over his explicit lyrics that led to the Parental Advisory label, his battle for ownership of his master recordings, and his iconic fashion choices. The show offers an intimate look at the man behind the music, blending personal stories with cultural commentary.

Episodes

Introducing: Civilian or Spy Aug 16, 2026 86 When a Russian-born American citizen named Ilya Beloozerov is gunned down by the FBI in 2024, the authorities refuse to say why they’d killed him. CNN’s Isabelle Chapman embarks on a sprawling investigation that takes her from the Mississippi parking lot where he died to Washington, D.C. to unravel the mystery: Why did Ilya abru

U R With Me Jun 7, 2023 1776 For our season finale, Nichole sits down with her good friends Mickey and Rashad to share how they continue to process their grief over Prince’s death and celebrate his unforgettable legacy. And we hear from several guests featured this season with their answers to the question “If you had five more minutes with Prince, what would you say or do?” To learn more about how CNN protects listener priv

God, Prince, and Chocolate May 31, 2023 2581 What makes Prince fans so intensely passionate? Our superfan host Nichole sits down with some other superfans to unpack their collective and individual love of Prince, and how he contributed to their sexual awakenings. Also, Nichole and Prince expert Anil Dash reflect on the surprising ways Prince connected with fans. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Lea

Beyond The Lace May 24, 2023 2461 How did Prince engage with the world? Prince was a quiet activist and some say a feminist. We talk to Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza about Prince’s activism. And professor Lynnée Denise helps us makes sense of Prince’s complicated relationship with women. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic

Nothing But The Funk May 17, 2023 2316 What made Prince such a unique performer? Musician and Prince muse Patrice Rushen, professor Kat Okedeyi, and writer Anil Dash explore how funk infused Prince’s performance style, including his Super Bowl Halftime Show and one of his last concerts ever. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Love Symbol No. 2 May 10, 2023 2232 What inspired Prince to scrawl the word “slave” on his face and change his name to an unpronounceable symbol? Prince’s first manager, Owen Husney, scholar Lynnée Denise, and writer Anil Dash unpack Prince’s battle with his label to own his masters. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barbarella Meets The Godfather May 3, 2023 3751 How did Prince become synonymous with ruffled shirts and peekaboo lace? The women behind his most iconic looks lift the veil on what it was like to dress and design for a style superstar. We’ll meet Marie France, Prince’s costume designer during the Purple Rain and Under the Cherry Moon eras, and Stacia Lang, Prince’s costume designer responsible for his infamous booty cutout pantsuit. To learn m

She’s Doing What with a Magazine?! Apr 26, 2023 2361 How did Prince’s music end up being debated in the halls of Congress? Susan Rogers, the recording engineer on Prince’s Purple Rain album, shares what it was like making songs like “Darling Nikki” in Prince’s basement home studio. And scholar Lynnée Denise shares a personal story of how “Darling Nikki” impacted her life. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Minneapolis Always Been the Bomb Apr 19, 2023 2974 How did Prince Rogers Nelson become an international superstar? The story begins in Minneapolis in the 1970s. We speak to Prince’s first producer, Chris Moon, about helping Prince find his voice in the studio. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing The Prince Mixtape Dec 28, 2022 241 The Prince Mixtape takes listeners inside the life of one of the greatest American music icons of all time through the people who knew him, worked with him or simply loved him from afar. Host Nichole Perkins digs deep into key moments of his life like when his sexually liberated lyrics gave birth to the Parental Advisory sticker, when he fought to own his masters, and when he rocked that infamous

The Prince Mixtape

Episodes

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