Eight years have passed since the world lost Prince, an unparalleled musical force and one of America’s most revered artists. During his life, the creative genius sold over 100 million records, ranking him among the best-selling musical artists ever. However, despite his worldwide fame, the circumstances surrounding his sudden death from fentanyl poisoning remain shrouded in mystery, with no one held accountable for the tragedy.
In an eye-opening interview, Prince’s cousin, Charles “Chazz” Smith, joins Grieving Out Loud host Angela Kennecke to talk about his mission to preserve his loved one’s legacy and search for truth in the icon’s unexpected death.
Join us as Chazz shares intimate stories about growing up alongside the musical genius, witnessing the challenges of fame, and ultimately grappling with his cousin’s passing due to a drug that has now become one of the leading causes of death in America. In this heartfelt conversation, we delve into the personal struggles of an icon and the quest for justice that continues to shape Prince’s narrative eight years after his death.
Family birthday party. Prince is in the front, Charles is in the back. 
The resemblance between Charles & Price. Charles, Left. Price, Right. 
Charles added his cousin to the Faces of Fentanyl exhibit at the DEA Headquarters in Arlington, VA in 2023. 
At Paisley Park in 2023 during the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway dedication with Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz.
MEET THE GUEST
Charles & Victoria Smith
Charles “Chazz” Smith is influential in music and activism. In addition to his musical contributions, Chazz is also deeply involved in justice efforts following the tragic death of his cousin, Prince. In April 2016, Chazz founded Justice4cuz, advocating for accountability after the Carver County Sheriff’s Office concluded a two-year investigation into Prince’s death without filing criminal charges, despite findings that Dr. Michael Schulenberg had illegally prescribed opioids to Prince shortly before his death. Chazz has vowed to pursue a private investigation to uncover further details about the counterfeit drugs that led to his cousin’s overdose. Today, Chazz resides with his wife, Victoria, and their four children in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
