SiriusXM, Pandora and Stitcher today announced the launch of three exclusive limited-engagement channels, a groundbreaking original podcast, and specialty music programming in honor of June’s Black Music Month.
SiriusXM will kick-off Black Music Month with two channels saluting groundbreaking Black artists with The 2PAC Channel and The Prince Channel. SiriusXM has collaborated with these iconic artists to deliver unique radio listening experiences that can only be found on SiriusXM. Pandora’s popular Black Music Forever Station will also extend to its own SiriusXM channel, Black Music Forever Radio.
SiriusXM, Pandora and Stitcher will also present a new original podcast, All Music Is Black Music, with the first episode debuting today. The podcast, hosted by Selema Masekela, with narration by Dr. Dwandalyn Reece of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, explores how African American music and culture have shaped the wider contemporary music landscape.
Each episode takes listeners on a journey beginning with an artifact from the NMAAHC’s collection. Through interviews with artists, authors and scholars, listeners will discover the stories of Black musicians and cultural creators who have shaped today’s trends, styles and genres. The first episode explores the influence of girl groups in pop music featuring a conversation with Kelly Rowland. New episodes will be available bi-weekly featuring interviews from artists including Ne-Yo, St. Vincent, Regina Spektor, and more. All Music is Black Music is now available on the SXM App, Pandora, and Stitcher, and will also air as a weekly program on SiriusXM’s Volume (channel 106) beginning June 15, at 1 pm ET.
Additionally, Pandora launched a Black Music Month microsite today, to give listeners an opportunity to discover, experience, and participate in the celebration Black music. The microsite includes:
Content Quiz: Listeners can answer a series of questions that will direct them to the newly launched Modes on the Black Music Forever station, sponsored by Target, for the month of June. The Modes include:
- The Philly Sound: Hosted by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, two of the most prolific producers and songwriters in all of music, The Philly Sound commemorates the 50th anniversary of their legendary label, Philadelphia International Records. The duo will share their personal stories about some of the best soul classics ever recorded and early beginnings of Black Music Month with music from The O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Phyllis Hyman and more.
- Future Fire: A cross-over of SiriusXM’s The Heat, Future Fire will feature some of the best emerging hip-hop and R&B acts including Mooski, Coi Leray, Giveon, and more.
- Africa Now: An Afro-Pop special highlighting the best artists throughout Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa that epitomize the Black experience of hailing from the birthplace of civilization, featuring music from Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and more.
Pandora Playback with Moneybagg Yo: On June 24, as part of Pandora’s virtual event series, Pandora Playback will feature an in-depth conversation with rapper Moneybagg Yo. He’ll discuss his artistry, recent album A Gangsta’s Pain and his music legacy, plus a special celebration of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) music and culture. Beginning June 17, listeners will be able to RSVP for the free event on the microsite.
Spoken word video: Voiced by multi-talented artist Shanelle Gabriel, Pandora showcases and highlights the influence and impact of Black music through the power of spoken word by taking the audience on a historic journey through the decades of deep-seeded roots Black music and culture.
For a full broadcast schedule of specialty programming celebrating Black Music Month across SiriusXM please visit: https://www.siriusxm.com/black-music-month. To access Pandora’s microsite, please visit: https://www.pandora.com/blackmusicmonth/.