Apple is planning to launch its new streaming music service in less than a week and the company plans to pack a lot of star power to get iOS users to tune in.
As part of the new Apple Music service, Beats 1 Radio will use a host of celebrities to plan and host their own music shows that will touch on everything from golden oldies brought to you by Elton John, to hip new Millennial songs with teen Jaden Smith spinning the discs.
In a profile with the New York Times, Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe revealed that for the past three months he’s been lining up musicians and celebs to host one to two hour sessions on the new digital radio service. The current list of guest hosts includes Drake, Pharrell Williams, Elton John, Jaden Smith, St. Vincent, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, and the British electronic duo Disclosure.
Apple employee Dr. Dre is also getting back behind the turntables for his own show called ‘The Pharmacy’ that will likely focus on hip-hop and R&B, while Jony Ive’s buddy, Sir Elton John will host ‘Elton John’s Rocket Hour’ to spin an eclectic mix of old and new songs.
Lowe has been described as ‘a motormouth on and off the air’ which could be a welcomed departure from the mild-mannered and tight-lipped executives who usually represent Apple.
Speaking about the new Beats 1 service headed up by Lowe, Elton John said, “this is not a fake thing. He’s a fan, and he’s a fan who’s got the opportunity to make his position in the world work for other people. He genuinely loves music, and that’s my kind of guy.”
Source: New York Times
