Toki Wright has worn a lot of hats: artist, activist, The Current host, and most recently, educator. This week, he called up The Current's Jill Riley to educate about injustice, white silence, and the hard truths of "being Minnesotan."

Though he wasn't a believer in birthdays, Prince would have turned 62 yesterday. A whole pile of his collaborators put together a collaborative version of "The Cross" yesterday as a message of hope, love and peace in the midst of a global pandemic and widespread unrest gripping Minneapolis and America. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what Prince songs do you want to hear?

“We all miss it; the live audiences, the fun, and the laughter.” said Tom Franek in a conversation with me regarding his cruise ship entertainment career that, due to the pandemic, has been put on hold. People have been speculating how the pandemic is going to impact the future of the live entertainment industry, and…

Ahead of their times at all times, Run The Jewels deliver anthems for 2020 filled with hair raising passages and an allstar list of collaborators from 2 Chainz, Pharrell Williams, Zack De La Rocha and Mavis Staples.

“This feels like we’re actually going forward.” said MC Longshot, while discussing the community’s powerful response to the police killing of George Floyd, and the current momentum in the ongoing fight for racial equity. “That’s the actual, hardcore meaning of movement, so I’m really proud of Minneapolis.” Local Show host, Andrea Swensson, had a conversation…

An album of newly-recorded tracks, compiled by local guitarist Matt Sowell and released via San Francisco’s Tompkins Square record label, is available now with proceeds going to benefit black-owned businesses and Native youth in Minneapolis. Out of the Ashes: A Benefit Album for Minneapolis is available exclusively on Bandcamp. The tracks include Siama Matuzungidi and Dallas…

On the day marking 62 years since Prince was born in Minneapolis, 26 collaborators spanning his career have collaborated, remotely, on a cover of “The Cross.” Created under the auspices of Kirk Johnson’s KAJ Productions, the recording is “dedicated to Minneapolis,” according to a title card. According to a press release: Kirk Johnson of Minneapolis…

Among music and music-adjacent businesses in the Twin Cities, black-owned businesses are underrepresented. Here are some black-owned or black-run music retailers, venues, theaters, mixed art spaces, and publications enriching the Twin Cities’ art and culture. Music retail Urban Lights is the only black-owned record store in the Twin Cities, and specializes in hip-hop. Urban Lights…

Following the killing of George Floyd while in police custody, the Twin Cities and beyond have become activated in many ways. Throughout a week of many protests, the community of the Twin Cities has formed a strong bond. In addition to demonstrations, communities have come together to operate donation banks, distribution centers, first aid, clothing…

In an interview with the Local Show's Andrea Swensson, Bob Mould talks about his new single, 'American Crisis,' which just happened to be released as the nation experiences a new awakening to Civil Rights. 'My role is to share what my heart tells me and to share the water that I catch when it rains,' Mould says.