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! This week's playlistChristy 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 ---- 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. This week's playlistRaphael 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 ---- The Purple Room Curated by @ShantuDiggs Saturdays @ 2 pm MT FM 88.5 (yeg) | @cjsr_fm | CJSR.com (stream) |
The Purple RoomThe Purple Room is an NCRA award-winning hour of music by Black musicians from across the African diaspora—all genres, all eras. It airs every Saturday at 2pm MT, and replays on Sundays at 11am on CJSR FM 88.5. Archives
February 2025
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