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Author-critic Touré on Prince, Rock Hall ahead of GR appearance

'I Would Die 4 U' book cover

Touré has written about music in a notable career that landed him on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee. He’ll be in Grand Rapids on Thursday. Ahead of that appearance, we open a two-part conversation with Touré on the Hall and his most recent book about Prince.

Toure’ is one of those rare writers who is not only gifted, but also widely read in more than one field. Much of his early writing was done on topics related to music. He also has written extensively on matters of race, most notably with the 2011 book “Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness.” You may have seen him on television; he was a co-host of the now-defunct MSNBC program “The Cycle.” On Thursday, he’ll be part of a program called “Identity and Bias: Impact on Individuals and Institutions” in Grand Rapids.

Current State’s Scott Pohl talks with Toure’ in the first of a two-part interview. His most recent book, “I Would Die 4 U,” is about Prince. Toure’ calls Prince “one of the most extraordinary artists of our times.”

Scott Pohl has maintained an on-call schedule reporting for WKAR following his retirement after 36 years on the air at the station.
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