SiriusXM and Pandora announced the launch of five exclusive limited-engagement channels and additional specialty music programs and events in honor of June’s Black Music Month.
SiriusXM will kick-off Black Music Month with the launch of two new, exclusive channels saluting music legends, Whitney Houston and The Notorious B.I.G., and welcome back The 2PAC Channel and The Prince Channel. SiriusXM has collaborated with these iconic artists’ teams to deliver unique radio listening experiences that can only be found on SiriusXM. Pandora’s popular Black Music Forever Radio 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:
Notorious Radio will honor the legacy of Brooklyn-born rapper Christopher Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G. and celebrate the 25th anniversary of his notable album Life After Death. Known for his effortless lyrical-delivery and storytelling ability, The Notorious B.I.G. was called “the greatest rapper that ever lived” by Rolling Stone. Notorious Radio will feature his entire catalog of music, including songs he’s been featured on and music inspired by the late rapper. Specials featuring B.I.G. ‘s mother, Ms. Voletta Wallace and other notable guests will be available on Notorious Radio on satellite ch. 105 from June 8 through June 14 and on the SXM App until June 30.
The Whitney Channel will celebrate the music of the iconic Whitney Houston, whose vocal versatility earned her the title, “The Voice.” The Whitney Channel will feature her pop and R&B classics, along with remixes and live performances. Clive Davis, Mariah Carey, and Dionne Warwick will serve as guest DJs on the channel sharing their favorites from Houston’s catalog. The Whitney Channel will be available on satellite on ch. 105 from June 22 through June 28 and on the SXM App until June 30.
The Prince Channel returns featuring Prince’s classics, B-sides, signature slow jams, and pop and rock hits from his extensive catalog. The channel will also spotlight Prince favorites from those who knew him best with Purple Playlists and launch with an airing of the newly-released 1985 Prince and the Revolution live performance in its entirety. The Prince Channel will be available on satellite on ch.105 from June 1 through June 7 and on the SXM App until June 30.
The 2PAC Channel will take listeners on a comprehensive journey through 2PAC’s life and music career. Through first-hand, exclusive commentary from his close friends and peers, including E.D.I. Mean, an original member of 2PAC’s group The Outlawz, you’ll get a deeper understanding of what makes him the voice of a generation. The channel will also feature an original series where artists and celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Too $hort will guest DJ their personal favorites from the legendary artist. The 2PAC Channel will be available on satellite on ch. 105 from June 15 through June 21 and on the SXM App until June 30.
Black Music Forever Radio 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. Black Music Forever Radio will be available from June 1 through June 30 on the SXM App.
SiriusXM will feature additional special programming to celebrate Black Music Month including one-hour specials hosted by notable contemporary black artists like Pusha T, DaBaby, Fivio Foreign, and Vince Staples, highlighting their musical influences on Hip Hop Nation. The Village Folk Show on The Bridge will air a Father’s Day Special with legendary blues musician Taj Mahal in conversation with GRAMMY®-winner Dom Flemons and Fantastic Negrito on June 19 as part of a monthly roots music series called Prisms: The Sound of Color.
SiriusXM will also be airing live event specials in celebration of Black Music Month. GRAMMY®-winner Bobby Brown will discuss his new documentary series in front of a live studio at the LA Garage airing June 1 at 5 p.m. ET on Heart & Soul. Soul Town will air a performance and commentary from The Manhattans as they kick off the Soul Train Cruise concert series on June 19 at 5 p.m. ET. Reggae icon Shaggy will perform in-studio with a live audience in celebration of his new album Come FLY Wid Mi on June 5 at 3 p.m. on SiriusXM FLY. On Rock the Bells Radio from June 1 through June 6, LL COOL J will guide listeners through his influential album Bigger and Deffer to mark 35 years since its release.
Lastly, Grammy Award®-winning rapper 2 Chainz, will play a special invitation-only concert as part of SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series in Atlanta at Terminal West on Friday, June 17, which will air that night on Hip Hop Nation. For information on how to attend SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series featuring 2 Chainz, please visit: www.siriusxm.com/2ChainzPR.
For a full broadcast schedule of special programming celebrating Black Music Month on SiriusXM please visit: https://www.siriusxm.com/Black-Music-Month
