Nick DeRiso is UCR's assistant managing editor, and author of 'Journey: Worlds Apart.' He has been named columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association, and Louisiana Sports Writers Association, and previously oversaw a daily newspaper section that was named Top 10 in the nation by the AP.
Nick DeRiso
Prince Shames the Greedy on ‘Money Don’t Matter 2 Night’
Prince's nervy anti-traditionalism inevitably came up against one of the most deeply held, longest-running prejudices of them all: status.
How a Crush Eventually Led to Chaka Khan’s Best-Known Hit
It took a while, but Prince's long-distance infatuation with Chaka Khan led to a close working relationship – and Khan's signature song.
Prince Pushes Back Against Societal Ills on ‘Sign O’ the Times’
Prince had made topical music before, but never with these kind of raw specifics.
Prince Finds Throwback Success With ‘Black Sweat’
"Black Sweat" was the kind of song that frustrated as much as it delighted. Why wasn't Prince always this great?
Prince Goes All-Out ’70s on the Overlooked ‘Sleep Around’
In 1997, the 'Washington City Paper' called Prince's "Sleep Around" a "definite future hit." So, what happened?
Prince Sets a New Course on ‘Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad’
"Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad" made Prince's intentions known: This career wouldn't be contained by any old R&B paradigm.
Prince Anonymously Explores Jazz With Madhouse’s ‘6’
It was only fitting that Prince gave Leeds his own showcase in the form of the fusion project Madhouse.
Why Did Prince Suddenly Shelve ‘The Black Album?’
The story of Prince's decision to pull 'The Black Album,' just days before its initial release, has become a kind of R&B 'Rashomon.'
Prince Curtly Dismisses Another Youthful Suitor in ‘Lolita’
'Lolita' found a then-newly single Prince once again curtly dismissing a youthful suitor.
Prince’s ‘Colonized Mind’ Boldly Confronts a World of Disappointment
"Colonized Mind" showed that Prince's concerns about being co-opted went well beyond a hated contract with Warner Bros.