Purple Current: Streaming Popular Music in the Name of a Local Heritage

Abstract

The Current, a broadcasting service, which is a part of Minnesota Public Radio organization, has launched a special online radio stream called Purple Current in 2018. Based in Minneapolis, it focuses on the life and legacy of Prince, emphasizing his inspirations, influence, culture in which he grew up and recorded. While Purple Current can be seen as a reactive venture after musician’s death in 2016, the stream is much more complex cultural project, especially given very specific cultural environment of Twin Cities. The research aims to analyze Purple Current radio stream as a cultural text, using the perspective of music geography and American studies, and through studying the discourse it presents – its mission, programming, music, image-building via Twitter, and statements by its founders – to understand its purpose and deeper social functions. The study shows that Purple Current is much more complex venture to be considered simply an homage to an important cultural figure as Prince. It integrates local community, exposes listeners to historically neglected minority culture of Black Minneapolitans, while being involved in the processes of popularization, education, and image-building. This results in a project, which is relevant and valid culturally, socially, politically, or even historically.