The 2PAC Channel debuts on SiriusXM today
Limited-run channel from the legendary Prince also available now
Black Music Forever Radio channel, an extension of Pandora*, debuts on SiriusXM
SiriusXM honours Black Music Month with the launch of original podcast series, ‘All Music is Black Music’ featuring Kelly Rowland, Ne-Yo, St. Vincent, Regina Spektor and more
TORONTO – June 1, 2021 – SiriusXM today announced the launch of three exclusive limited-engagement channels, a ground-breaking original podcast, and specialty music programming in honour of June’s Black Music Month.
SiriusXM will kick-off Black Music Month with two channels saluting trailblazing Black artists with The 2PAC Channel and The Prince Channel. SiriusXM has collaborated with the estates of 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.
For details on SiriusXM’s limited-engagement channels and additional SiriusXM specialty programming, please see below:
The 2PAC Channel (ch. 104) will take listeners on a comprehensive journey through the genius of 2PAC’s full music career. Hear about the iconic artist’s life and music, first-hand, with exclusive commentary from his close friends and peers, including E.D.I. Mean, an original member of 2PAC’s group The Outlawz. The channel will also feature an original series where artists and celebrities will guest DJ their personal favourites from the legendary artist.
The Prince Channel will feature music from his vast catalog over the decades, ranging from his signature funk, slow jams, psychedelic rock and everything in between. The channel will also spotlight Prince favourites from those who knew him best with Purple Playlists, B-sides and live performances.
Black Music Forever Radio (ch. 105), which originated and exists as a Pandora station, will spotlight the latest hits from current and breaking Black artists in hip-hop, R&B and Pop.
The Beatles Channel (ch. 18) will debut a four-part series, A Shot of Rhythm and Blues: Exploring The Beatles and Black Music on June 7 at Noon ET. Hosted by Meshell Ndegeocello, the series will explore the relationship between The Beatles and Black music, uncover The Beatles’ earliest R&B heroes, and expose the many Black artists that went on to cover the music of The Fab Four. New episodes will debut at Noon ET on Mondays throughout the month of June.
Diplo’s Revolution (ch. 52) and bpm (ch. 51) will feature music and DJ sets from the top Black artists in Dance music such as, Aluna, DJ Sliink, DJ Uniique, and more.
Heart & Soul (ch. 48) will spotlight “soulful soundtracks” each weekend in June with music from culturally iconic movies including Waiting to Exhale, Black Panther, Judas and the Black Messiah, and more. The channel will also feature live performances from Grammy-nominated artists.
Hip-Hop Nation (ch. 44) will celebrate the anniversaries of past releases from 2 Chainz, Drake, Gucci Mane, and J. Cole, with album specials on their respective release dates. The channel will also debut a new show, Meez-O-Estates, hosted by 21 Savage’s manager Meezy and crew, dedicated to a no-holds-barred conversation about the state of hip-hop music and culture. Rising artist, Hotboii will kick off the Summer with a “Summer Wave Special,” highlighting 10 of his favourite Summer bops. HHN will also spotlight empowering Black music with a new playlist, Black Music Matters, each week and air a special rewind of the best performances from the channel’s original “Nation’s Next Virtual Concert” series.
Kirk Franklin’s Praise (ch. 64) will offer fans an interactive experience, with the chance to engage with Kirk Franklin to build a song during Virtual Improv with Kirk Franklin. The channel will also present A Juneteenth Celebration with Kirk Franklin, featuring song and narration from Franklin.
The Verge (ch. 173) will host vocalist and guitarist Densil McFarlane of Canadian punk band The OBGMs as he steps in to guest host Ones to Watch, highlighting his favourite Black and Indigenous Artists. Airing weekdays throughout June at 5 pm and 10 pm ET.
Sarah Burke welcomes several artists to Sunday Service on North Americana (ch. 359) to discuss the role Black music has played in their work. Guests include Jon Batiste, Allison Russell, Valerie June, Yola, Black Pumas and Amythyst Kiah. New episodes will air Sundays at 9 ET throughout June.
Grammy-nominated U.K. singer/songwriter Yola takes over North Americana (ch. 359) with a playlist filled with her favourite Black artists and the stories behind her forthcoming album due out July 30 titled Stand For Myself. Airing June 11 at 6 pm, June 13 at 11 pm, and June 16 at 8 pm ET.
Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada of the Grammy-nominated psych-soul band Black Pumas take over North Americana (ch. 359) with a playlist of their favourite Black artists and the stories behind the wild ride of their breakout year. Airing Sundays at 9 pm ET throughout the month of June.
Canadian rapper and producer Kardinal Offishall will take over Poplandia (ch. 754) for an hour with a playlist 100% dedicated to putting the spotlight on Black Canadian pop and hip-hop artists. He’ll also tell the stories behind some of his fan favourites. Airing June 18 at 6 pm ET, June 20 at 11 pm ET, and June 23 at 8 pm ET.
Listeners can also expect take-overs from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (The Groove, channel 50), H.E.R. (The Heat, channel 46), Monica (SiriusXM FLY, channel 47) and a special from The Temptations, to celebrate their 60th Anniversary (Soul Town, channel 49).
SiriusXM 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 (NMAAHC), 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 SiriusXM app, and will also air as a weekly program on SiriusXM’s Volume (ch. 106) beginning June 15, at 1 pm ET.
From now through June 8, non-subscribers can get most of the above-mentioned SiriusXM Canada channels, as part of the SiriusXM Listen Free Event. During this event, SiriusXM will feature a sampling of over 100 SiriusXM channels including ad-free music of every kind, plus sports, talk, news and entertainment available to non-subscribers on inactive SiriusXM radios in their car and on the SiriusXM app, with no credit card required. The 2PAC Channel, The Prince Channel and Black Music Forever Radio will be available to these listeners only on the SiriusXM app.
*Pandora is not currently available in Canada.
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