In Part 1 of this two-part series, we explore one of the most pivotal chapters in Prince's career—the battle for artistic freedom that forever changed the music industry. After the massive success of Diamonds and Pearls, tensions between Prince and Warner Bros. reached a breaking point as his relentless creativity clashed with the label's traditional release strategy. We dive into the origins of the legendary Vault, the meaning behind the word "SLAVE" written across Prince's face, his shocking decision to abandon the name "Prince" in favor of the iconic Love Symbol, and the complex stories behind The Hits/The B-Sides and Come. This episode examines how Prince transformed a contract dispute into a powerful statement about artistic ownership, setting the stage for one of the most unforgettable acts of rebellion in music history. Join us next week as we continue the story and uncover what happened next in Prince's fight for creative independence.

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In this week's episode, Violet Vault host Ava Cyr dives into one of Prince's last albums released under his given name in the 90s- Love Symbol. She explores the concepts for the album as well as what could have been. Ava also explains the narrative storyline Prince built into the album as well an encouraging listeners to give the album a listen in order to experience the storyline and his impeccable vocal range.

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In this episode of The Violet Vault, host Ava Cyr travels back to 1991 to explore the era surrounding Prince's landmark album Diamonds and Pearls. Discover how the formation of the New Power Generation ushered in a fresh creative chapter, why hits like "Cream," "Gett Off," and the title track helped reestablish Prince as a chart-topping force, and how songs such as "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" reflected the social and political climate of the time. Ava also looks at the personal and professional milestones that shaped Prince's life in 1991, including the arrival of Mayte Garcia, the early tensions with Warner Bros. Records, and the artistic reinvention that would define the next phase of his career. Join us as we revisit one of Prince's most influential albums and uncover why Diamonds and Pearls remains a timeless masterpiece more than three decades later.

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In Episode 14 of The Violet Vault, we begin exploring Prince's transformative 1990s with a look at Graffiti Bridge—the ambitious film and soundtrack that marked the end of one creative era and the beginning of another. Discover how Prince revisited familiar characters from Purple Rain, drew inspiration from a real Minnesota landmark, and exercised unprecedented creative control by filming primarily at Paisley Park. While the film struggled with critics and audiences, the soundtrack became a commercial success, featuring standout songs like "Thieves in the Temple" and "New Power Generation," which introduced the band that would help define Prince's next chapter. Join host Ava Cyr as we uncover how Graffiti Bridge became a pivotal bridge between the Prince of the 1980s and the fearless artist who would reshape his career throughout the 1990s.

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In this episode of The Violet Vault, host Ava Cyr explores the fascinating story behind Prince's 1989 Batman soundtrack—an album that became far more than just a movie tie-in. Discover the surprising original plan to pair Prince with Michael Jackson, the mysterious "Gemini" character Prince created to embody both Batman and The Joker, and the hidden meanings behind the album's character-based songwriting. Ava also dives into Prince's relationship with actress Kim Basinger, the original inspiration for "Vicki Waiting," the unrealized collaboration with composer Danny Elfman, and how the chaotic brilliance of "Batdance" became an unlikely number-one hit. Join us as we uncover the creative vision, behind-the-scenes stories, and lasting legacy of one of the most unique and ambitious projects in Prince's legendary career.

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In this episode of The Violet Vault, host Ava Cyr explores the remarkable story behind Prince’s 1988 album Lovesexy, a record born from one of the most dramatic artistic decisions in music history. After abruptly canceling the release of The Black Album—despite hundreds of thousands of copies already being pressed—Prince retreated to Paisley Park Studios and emerged just seven weeks later with a completely different vision. Ava examines how Lovesexy transformed themes of darkness and negativity into a celebration of faith, redemption, love, and personal growth, while highlighting standout tracks like “Anna Stesia,” “Alphabet St.,” and “Positivity.” The episode also covers the album’s controversial artwork, its innovative continuous-listening format, the ambitious Lovesexy Tour, and the lasting legacy of a project that showcased Prince’s willingness to reinvent himself and follow inspiration wherever it led.

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After a brief hiatus, Ava Cyr returns to The Violet Vault with the first of two special back-to-back episodes exploring one of the most fascinating chapters in Prince’s career. This week, we unravel the mystery of The Black Album—the infamous 1987 release Prince ordered destroyed just days before it was scheduled to hit stores. From its dark, aggressive funk sound and controversial themes to the spiritual awakening that reportedly led Prince to cancel the project, this episode examines the album’s creation, its legendary bootleg status, and the enduring myths that surround it. Ava also explores how The Black Album served as the stark opposite of the uplifting Lovesexy, revealing a pivotal moment in Prince’s artistic and personal evolution. Join us as we dive into one of music history’s greatest unsolved mysteries and discover why The Black Album remains one of the most debated records in Prince’s catalog.

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In Episode 10 of The Violet Vault, host Ava Cyr explores the groundbreaking era of Prince's 1987 masterpiece Sign O' The Times. From the dissolution of The Revolution and the abandoned Dream Factory, Camille, and Crystal Ball projects to the creation of one of the most acclaimed albums of his career, this episode examines a pivotal moment of artistic reinvention. Discover how Prince embraced new sounds, experimented with altered vocals, tackled social issues through music, and transformed a recording studio mishap into the iconic sound of "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker." Ava also takes a look at the legendary Sign O' The Times Tour, the acclaimed concert film, and the opening of Paisley Park, the creative complex that would become Prince's artistic home for decades to come. Join us as we uncover the stories behind an album that proved Prince's limitless creativity and cemented his legacy as one of music's most innovative artists.

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