Songs to Live By is a new podcast hosted by Vick Hope on BC Sounds featuring blacks stories and music
The first title in a new collaboration between BBC and Warner Music, Songs to Live By is a new podcast celebrating black voices and experience through the songs that shaped them. In each episode host Radio 1’s Vick Hope chats with two guests, of different generations, about the music that has defined them – personally, politically, musically.
Guests already confirmed for the series include: actor and rapper Doc Brown, jockey Khadijah Mellah, comedian Dane Baptiste, singer Mica Paris, actor Paterson Joseph, performance poet Sophie Thakur, Radio 1Xtra’s Tiffany Calver, YouTuber Zeze Millz, writer Niellah Arboine, poet Benjamin Zephaniah, rapper Eve, actor Akemnji Ndifornyen, founder of UK Black Pride Lady Phyll, rapper Hardy Caprio, comedian Sophie Duker, blogger Toni Tone, actor and singer Jordan Stephens, and activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.
Vick Hope says:
“Songs To Live By is a really special project: a listening party that I cannot wait for you all to get down at; a labour of love that has made myself and my guests both laugh and cry together, brought great joy but also reflection on the world we live in, how far we have come and the obstacles, the pain and suffering that those who went before us withstood, whilst looking with optimism to the future.
“We cover civil rights to Windrush, Black LGBTQ+ Pride to racism and activism in the diaspora, but also our passions and when we realised them, excelled at them, inspired others with them. Led by a Black team, this podcast is about our backgrounds, our heritage, our culture, our home lives: the Motown we listened to growing up, gospel in church on Sundays, dancing with our parents to Afrobeat on a Saturday night, sneaking out to hip hop clubs… The moments we lost ourselves in music and found ourselves in music.
“This podcast shines a light on our roots and our routes; the changes these amazing guests have made, but also the change that still – in the words of Sam Cooke – is gonna come. Expect Gospel, Soul, Motown, Hip Hop, Funk, Jazz, High Life, Roots, Reggae, Rap… the rhythm and indeed the blues.”
On Twitter, Hope also said:
Episode one is BEAUTIFUL, bringing together the incredible Benjamin Zephaniah & Jordan Stephens for an eye-opening, uplifting & inspiring chat about roots, reggae & rhymes; lyrics & life. Listen now on @BBCSounds
You can find the podcast (as she says) on BBC Sounds.