Blackstar Rising and the Purple Reign (Duke UP) is the first critical anthology dedicated to the legacies of David Bowie and Prince, edited by Daphne A. Brooks. Bringing together an extraordinary range of scholars, writers, and artists — including Greg Tate, Jack Halberstam, Kara Keeling, Eric Lott, and Ann Powers — the collection examines how both icons reshaped pop culture at the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and art. Alongside critical essays, the volume features interviews with key collaborators including Sheila E. and D.A. Pennebaker, offering vital insider context to the complexities of their repertoires, politics, and lasting influence.