Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality, and This Thing Called Life

by Pamela Ayo Yetunde

Overview

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life."

When Prince spoke those words over celestial organ sounds in the opening moments of "Let's Go Crazy," he wasn't just inaugurating yet another Billboard Hot 100 hit—one of forty-seven in his career; he was also giving voice to the deep-seated and richly complex spiritual underpinning of his art. Prince is beloved by millions worldwide, and a true legend of the pop genre. Yet most of his fans don't recognize the spiritual messages coded within his work, nor understand the connections between Prince's own religious devotion—which evolved over time—and the sexualized messages of his music. Prince was beguiling and used his seductive and mysterious charm to draw his fans into his spiritual and cosmic worldviews, often without their knowledge.

In Dearly Beloved, Pamela Ayo Yetunde, a lifelong Prince fan and founder of the Theology of Prince project when she taught at United Theological Seminary in Prince's own Minneapolis, decodes the spiritual and sexual messages behind Prince's work, from For You to Graffiti Bridge to The Rainbow Children and beyond.

Exploring more than forty years of his music and art, you will discover Prince as a spiritual giant. He might not have always gotten it right, but nonetheless he cast a powerful vision for what it means to be dearly beloved, what it takes to gather intentionally, the opportunities presented by being in the present, and how to engage with the complexities of human experience. For anyone who loves Prince, is inspired by him, is confused by his lyrics, or is curious about what his music means—and for all who live in search of deeper meaning and tools for cultivating resilience in difficult times—Dearly Beloved is an essential spiritual guide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798889831600
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	04/22/2025
Pages:	249
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Pamela Ayo Yetunde, ThD, is a pastoral counselor, educator, and founder of the Theology of Prince project at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She is the author of Casting Indra's Net, named one of the best spirituality books in 2023 by Spirituality and Practice, and coeditor of Black and Buddhist, winner of the Nautilus Gold Book Award. Her work has been featured in Lions Roar, Spirituality and Practice, and Spirituality and Health, among many other outlets. In 2022 Yetunde was named an Outstanding Woman in Buddhism by the International Women's Meditation Center Foundation. She lives in Chicago.

Editorial Reviews

"My dear sista Pamela Ayo Yetunde has written an evocative emergent journey that asks us to be with our beloved ancestor Prince Rogers Nelson not simply read the words. Dearly Beloved will invite you to your edges, and then ask if you're ready for more. This is truly a beautiful book and worthy of contemplation and appreciation." —Dr. Resmaa Menakem, New York Times-bestselling author of My Grandmother's Hands

"Ayo Yetunde and her new book on the deep meaning of Prince's eternal music are rare gifts that speak to our heart and our soul, that inspire us to reimagine the power of song, soul, and creativity in facing the awe and the ache that lives in us and around us in troubled times. Poetic and profound, this is a book that should be savored and used for contemplating how this artist and art make us whole." —Doug Abrams, coauthor of The Book of Joy

"Whether you share the author's interpretations of Prince's spirituality or bring your own perspective, Dearly Beloved is more than a book examining Prince's spiritual journey—it's an invitation and practical guide to exploring and deepening your own. Through "up(ward)" listening and viewing practices of Prince's songs and films, this book empowers you to embrace the truth that you are beloved and dear by encouraging you to reflect on and question your spiritual inheritances and history." —De Angela L. Duff, educator, Associate Vice Provost at New York University (NYU), curator of Prince symposia, and creator of What Did Prince Do This Week?

"In Dearly Beloved, we are invited to see Prince not just as an artist but as a modern-day theologian who, like the Apostle Paul, wrestled with the complexities of faith, freedom, and identity. This book is a testament to the idea that we are all 'fearfully and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139:14). A must-read for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the divine through music, media, and the beauty of the 'everyday things we do.'" —Teddy raShaan, PhD, Curator of Religion, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

"In Dearly Beloved, Ayo Yetunde takes us on a multisensory excursion examining the life and spiritual exploration of the musician Prince. He was an enormous talent, expressing privately through his life, but publicly through his songs and performances, his deep longing for creation and connection, both with his listeners and later with the divine." —Douglas Keene, President of The Theosophical Society in America

"In this singularly compelling book, Ayo Yetunde channels the many complex facets of Prince through the prism of his theologies, revealing the previously unexplored spiritual insights and perspectives of this great artist. This invaluable work will be a boon to any Prince admirer wanting to learn more about his focus on spiritual healing." —Rev. SeiFu Anil Singh-Molares, Executive Director, Spiritual Directors International

"Being beloved is grace. If you know this, Dearly Beloved will embrace you. If you don't know this, Dearly Beloved will shatter you, and then awaken you. In either case, this is a book worthy of your time and attention." —Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent

"This book is something remarkable—more than yet another posthumous blessing of a singular musical talent but a brilliant reframing of Prince as theologian. His entire canon, B-sides and all, is mined and clarified not only so we can understand his complex faith, but better understand our own. An important contribution to music and church!" —Rev. Julian "J.Kwest" DeShazier, pastor and artist

From the Publisher