Following in the footsteps of fellow ex-BBC presenter Zane Lowe and others, UK-based hip-hop DJ Charlie Sloth will be leaving his job presenting on the BBC to join Apple Music.
Sloth is a presenter on both BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra. He has been a BBC broadcaster for the past decade, and is best known for hosting the popular rap freestyle segment, “Fire in the Booth.”
Not too much is known about Sloth’s new position at Apple Music, although he will reportedly host a worldwide show on Beat 1 and also help curate Apple music playlists.
“Ten of the best years of my life, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who has listened to me over the years and supported me in everything I have done,” Sloth wrote online in an Instagram post. “I love you, and the journey continues.”
His last show will be broadcast on November 3. It’s not clear when he will start at Apple Music.
A focus on hip-hop
Sloth is not the only UK hip-hop tastemaker to join Apple Music this year. Earlier in 2018, Apple hired Ryan Newman, a key player from the BBC’s main hip-hop and grime radio station, 1Xtra.
While Apple Music features a massive catalog of music in every imaginable genre, hip-hop is one that it has shown particular focus on. Apple has acquired several documentaries, such as Before Anythang: The Cash Money Story and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story, to appeal to a similar audience.
It has also produced music videos for several hip-hop artists, including Drake’s video for “One Dance,” Eminem’s “Phenomenal” and Pharrell’s “Happy,” as well as a 45-minute “visual album” from Grammy-winning artist Frank Ocean.
Given the crucial role of figures like Dr. Dre in Apple Music’s birth, we’re not totally surprised!
Source: Music Business Worldwide
