How can U just leave me standing? ...in search of Prince Rogers Nelson‪.‬ Sam Bleazard

Ashley Tamar Davis is a Grammy nominated Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Educator, Mentor, Entrepreneur and Music Supervisor.

Growing up in Houston, Texas, she has been in the entertainment industry since her childhood. An early experience in the People's Choice Awards meant a chance meeting with Beyoncé, which led her into a very early incarnation of Destiny's Child. With her family's support she put her ambitions on pause briefly to go back to school and finish College. She is now a graduate of University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, with a Bachelor in Music Business.

She first visited Prince's recording studios Paisley Park in her teens, before becoming part of his entourage as a singer songwriter in her early 20s, during the artist's 3121 era. She recorded and collaborated with Prince, who became a mentor to her - co-writing their Grammy-nominated duet "Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed." Tamar appeared onstage with him at the NAACP Awards, Saturday Night Live and The Brit Awards, before going on tour with him in the US, performing songs from her album Milk and Honey.

After parting ways with Prince, she went on to star on Broadway, in “Motown, the Musical”, and has wowed audiences in recent years with jaw-dropping performances on NBC’s “The Voice”...also touring with Tyler Perry productions. She has performed for former Presidents and first Ladies, and also recently launched an interactive iPad, iPhone and Android Music app.

In 2010, Tamar initiated and created Syren Music Group, LLC: a music entertainment company that specializes in the advancement of independent music and live entertainment. Through the creation of Syren Music Group, LLC Tamar launched her independent album "My Name is Tamar" (3.24.2011), which has garnered sales and media coverage globally.

Tamar is also the co-founder of The Tamar Davis Project: an international, educational and artistic project designed for singers, artists, musicians, writers, painters, composers, choreographers, and dancers to benefit from opportunities that will become a catalyst to successfully launch their careers under the watchful eye of industry professionals turned mentors.

She's also become a vibrant presence on social media, is passionate as an educator and is a vocal campaigner for artists rights.

Before Controversy, before 1999, Purple Rain, Parade, Sign O The Times and Paisley Park recording studios... local Minneapolis based entrepreneur Owen Husney, knew Prince Rogers Nelson, before he became Prince. The one who became one of the greatest artists and musicians of our time. As his first manager Owen ensured that Prince was signed to a 3 album record deal, with a high degree of autonomy to produce his own work. This was unheard of in the mid to late 1970s. This is his story, and his reflections on a unique time in music history.

Before Controversy, before 1999, Purple Rain, Parade, Sign O The Times and Paisley Park recording studios... local Minneapolis based entrepreneur Owen Husney, knew Prince Rogers Nelson, before he became Prince. The one who became one of the greatest artists and musicians of our time. As his first manager Owen ensured that Prince was signed to a 3 album record deal, with a high degree of autonomy to produce his own work. This was unheard of in the mid to late 1970s. This is his story, and his reflections on a unique time in music history.

Casci Ritchie is a PhD candidate and associate lecturer studying Prince, fashion, and fandom at Northumbria University.

She has published widely about Prince’s sartorial legacy in peer-reviewed academic journals including Critical Studies in Men’s Fashion, Queer Studies in Popular Culture, Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture and most recently the Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture.

Her book On His Royal Badness: The Life and Legacy of Prince’s Fashion, was published in 2021 as part of 404 Ink’s Inkling series.

Listen in as we discuss her early memories of Prince, her lifelong study of his work, his fashion... but also his world building.

Casci Ritchie is a PhD candidate and associate lecturer studying Prince, fashion, and fandom at Northumbria University.

She has published widely about Prince’s sartorial legacy in peer-reviewed academic journals including Critical Studies in Men’s Fashion, Queer Studies in Popular Culture, Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture and most recently the Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture.

Her book On His Royal Badness: The Life and Legacy of Prince’s Fashion, was published in 2021 as part of 404 Ink’s Inkling series.

Listen in as we discuss her early memories of Prince, her lifelong study of his work, his fashion... but also his world building.

In the second part of our interview Nik shares her feelings on the first track of Prince's that she ever heard. She also discusses female bass players, favourite purple tracks and her thoughts on what Prince was really like.