Advertise on podcast: The Violet Vault

In the final episode of The Violet Vault, Ava Cyr takes us on a journey through the ten years since Prince’s death and explores what happened to the extraordinary legacy he left behind. From the legal and financial complications of an estate without a will to the transformation of Paisley Park into a museum and living creative space, this episode examines how Prince’s family, estate, and fans have worked to preserve his remarkable body of work. We’ll dive deep into the legendary Vault and the posthumous releases that have revealed previously unheard sides of Prince, including Piano & a Microphone 1983, Originals, Welcome 2 America, the expanded Purple Rain, 1999, and Sign o’ the Times collections, and the 2026 release Timeless. We’ll also look at the 10th Anniversary Prince Celebration, the future of Paisley Park, and the tantalizing question of how much music remains hidden in the Vault. As The Violet Vault comes to an end, Ava asks the biggest question of all: what happens next to Prince’s legacy—and how do we ensure that his music continues to reach generations who never had the chance to experience him? Peace and Be Wild! Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

In Episode 23 of The Violet Vault, Ava Cyr explores the final years of Prince’s extraordinary life and career, from 2011 through 2016. This episode follows Prince as he formed 3RDEYEGIRL and released PLECTRUMELECTRUM, ART OFFICIAL AGE, HITnRUN Phase One, and HITnRUN Phase Two, while also embracing unexpected new platforms like Twitter and continuing his long-standing fight for control over his music and its distribution. We look at his response to the events in Baltimore through the song “Baltimore,” his memorable appearance on New Girl, and his evolving relationship with fans and the changing music industry. As Prince’s final years unfolded, he also began reconnecting with his past, revisiting his Warner Bros. catalog, overseeing work related to Purple Rain, and performing his intimate Piano & a Microphone shows. The episode concludes with the events leading up to April 21, 2016, and reflects on the striking full-circle nature of Prince’s final performances: after decades of reinvention, he returned to the simplicity of a piano, a microphone, a song, and an audience. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

In Episode 22 of The Violet Vault, we continue our Purple Journey through Prince’s remarkable career from 2005 to 2010 — a period defined by creativity, experimentation, and, above all, control. Following the massive comeback of Musicology, Prince entered a new chapter where he began reshaping not only his music but the entire business surrounding it. We explore the success of 3121, his innovative Las Vegas residency at Club 3121, the end of his marriage to Manuela Testolini, and the unconventional release of Planet Earth through newspapers. We also revisit his unforgettable 2007 Super Bowl halftime performance, where a pouring rainstorm turned “Purple Rain” into one of the most iconic moments of his career, as well as his historic 21-night residency at London’s O2 Arena. From the three-album Lotusflow3r/MPLSound/Elixer release through Target to the newspaper distribution of 20Ten, Prince continued challenging traditional ideas about how artists could release and connect with their music. Along the way, we look at his Grammy wins, the induction of 1999 into the Grammy Hall of Fame, his Golden Globe win, and his 2010 BET Lifetime Achievement Award. More than a story about individual albums or performances, this chapter is about Prince taking control of his art, business, audience, and legacy — proving once again that the Purple One wasn't simply adapting to the changing music industry; he was challenging the rules and finding new ways to play the game on his own terms. Thank you for joining us for Episode 22 of The Violet Vault — Peace and be Wild! Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

In Episode 21 of The Violet Vault, Ava Cyr takes us into Prince’s fascinating early-2000s era, from 2000 through 2005—a period defined by freedom, experimentation, and reinvention. With his Warner Bros. obligations finally behind him, Prince reclaimed his name, navigated major changes in his personal life, and began reshaping the way artists could connect with their fans. We explore the launch of the NPG Music Club and Prince’s remarkably early embrace of the internet as a direct-to-fan platform, as well as the eclectic and deeply spiritual The Rainbow Children, the intimate One Nite Alone..., his jazz-focused projects Xpectation and N.E.W.S., and the independent releases that followed. We also revisit Prince’s triumphant mainstream return with Musicology, the innovative concert-ticket album strategy that helped change Billboard’s sales rules, and his unforgettable 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” More than a transitional period, these years reveal Prince embracing creative and business independence on his own terms—and proving once again that when Prince had freedom, there was no telling what he would do with it. Join us for another chapter of our purple journey as we explore the life, music, and legacy of Prince. Peace and be wild! Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

In Episode 20 of The Violet Vault, Ava Cyr explores Prince’s journey from the aftermath of his highly publicized battle with Warner Bros. Records to the dawn of the new millennium. Following the release of Emancipation, Prince finally gained the creative freedom and ownership he had fought for, but his professional liberation came during one of the most painful periods of his personal life. This episode examines the devastating loss of his infant son, Amiir, the unraveling of his marriage to Mayte Garcia, and the spiritual transformation that shaped Prince’s life and music in the late 1990s. Along the way, we dive into Crystal Ball, The Truth, Newpower Soul, and Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, while exploring Prince’s evolving relationship with the music industry and his determination to retain ownership of his work. The episode culminates in the spectacular Rave Un2 the Year 2000 celebration at Paisley Park, where Prince welcomed the new millennium surrounded by legendary musicians, friends, and fans. It’s a story of grief, reinvention, creative independence, and ultimately, finding a new sense of freedom as Prince stepped into the year 2000. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

In Episode 19 of The Violet Vault, Ava Cyr explores a transformative chapter in Prince’s life as he finally breaks free from his long and turbulent relationship with Warner Bros. After years of fighting for creative control, Prince fulfills his final contractual obligation with Chaos and Disorder before stepping into complete artistic independence. But this new freedom arrives alongside profound personal changes: his marriage to Mayte Garcia, the birth and heartbreaking loss of their son, Amiir, and the creation of Emancipation, Prince’s ambitious 36-song, three-disc declaration of freedom. The episode examines how love, grief, spirituality, and independence shaped one of the most personal albums of his career, while reflecting on Prince’s lasting influence on artists’ battles for creative and ownership rights. Ultimately, this is a story about more than a record deal—it is a story about identity, resilience, love, loss, and Prince’s determination to create music entirely on his own terms. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

In Episode 18 of The Violet Vault, Ava Cyr continues the story of Prince’s groundbreaking battle for creative freedom in part two of our series on his dispute with Warner Bros. The episode explores the long-awaited release of The Gold Experience, Prince’s vision for presenting Come and The Gold Experience as two chapters representing different artistic identities, and the label conflict that continued to delay his music. We also dive into Prince’s relationship with Mayte Garcia, from their first meeting through her growing role in his creative world at Paisley Park, and how their relationship brought a new sense of love and optimism into his life. From the success of “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” to Prince’s genre-defying approach to The Gold Experience, the episode highlights an artist proving that his creativity could not be confined by a record label. Finally, we explore Chaos and Disorder, the album that fulfilled Prince’s Warner Bros. contract and brought him closer to the independence he had fought for. But as his professional battle neared its end, Prince’s personal life was about to enter its most joyful—and heartbreaking—chapter yet, setting the stage for the next era: Emancipation. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757

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. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this episode of The Violet Vault, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue exploring the life and legacy of Prince.  If you are interested in supporting our podcast, check out our support page here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/support Instagram: Instagram Facebook: Facebook Shareable episode link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597625/episodes/18912757