This week on The Purple Room, I explored how music can challenge, inspire, and connect us to our roots. Every track carried a story—moments of rebellion, reflection, and love.

I opened with Christy Essien Igbokwe’s Struggles, a song that used music as a tool for social change. Igbokwe was known for supporting women and marginalized communities in Nigeria. It’s a reminder of music’s power to uplift, even in tough times.

From there, Nia Smith’s Personal pulled us into a raw, emotional journey of self-reflection. Vulnerability, I think, can be just as powerful as strength.

We also dove into the sounds of Mulatu Astatke, the father of Ethio-jazz, with Kasalefkut-Hulu, where traditional culture and global influences meet, breaking boundaries and connecting us across time and geography.

Hope you enjoyed the trip this week!

Christy Essien Igbokwe
Struggles

Nia Smith
Personal

Samory I
Blood In The Streets

Stro Elliot & James Brown
Black and Loud

Betty Davis
Don't Call Her No Tramp

Eugene McDaniels
Cherrystones

Lafayette Afro Rock Band
Darkest Light

Amel Larrieux
Sophisticated Lady [+ Clark Terry]

Tarika Blue
Dreamflower

Mulatu Astatke
Kasalefkut-Hulu

The Meters
Just Kissed My Baby

Jerome Thomas
That

The Isley Brothers
Ernie's Jam

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​The Purple Room
Curated by @ShantuDiggs
Saturdays @ 2 pm MT (replays Sundays @ 11 am)
FM 88.5 (yeg) | @cjsr_fm | CJSR.com (stream)

This week in The Purple Room, we celebrated the genius of Raphael Saadiq, a true icon of modern soul.

From his time with Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl to his remarkable solo career, Saadiq’s music has stood the test of time, blending tradition with innovation.

We explored his incredible catalog—hits that defined an era, deep cuts that deserved more shine, and tracks that reminded us why his sound is so special. It was a tribute to an artist whose work continues to inspire and resonate across generations.

Raphael Saadiq’s music is a reminder that soul isn’t just a genre; it’s a way of connecting. If you weren’t able to tune in, you missed something special—but don’t miss the next vibe.

See you Saturday at 2 PM Mountain Time on CJSR 88.5 FM.

Raphael Saadiq
Doin’ What I Can

Raphael Saadiq
Excuse Me

Raphael Saadiq
I Know Shuggie Otis

Raphael Saadiq f/ Q-Tip
Get Involved

Raphael Saadiq
Good Man

Raphael Saadiq f/ CJ Hilton & Stevie Wonder
Never Give You Up

The Midnight Hour f/ Raphael Saadiq
It’s You

The Isley Brothers f/ Raphael Saadiq
Move Your Body

Lucy Pearl
They Can’t

Anthony Hamilton
Ain’t Nobody Worryin’

Erykah Badu f/ Common
Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop

Q-Tip f/ Raphael Saadiq
We Fight We Love
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​The Purple Room
Curated by @ShantuDiggs
Saturdays @ 2 pm MT
FM 88.5 (yeg) | @cjsr_fm | CJSR.com (stream)