SiriusXM launched five exclusive radio channels today (July 15) dedicated to the Beastie Boys, Bob Marley, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, and Queen. Prince’s channel also temporarily returns.
Each channel dedicated to the artist, which has been licensed and produced in cooperation with the artists and their teams, features career-spanning hits from these seminal acts, rare recordings, interviews and star-studded guest DJ sessions.
The Beastie Boys Channel combines the group’s beats, deep cuts, rarities, and live recordings, while the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shares comments, stories, and ideas about each of their albums. Guest DJ series “Pass the Mic” includes die-hard fans Z-Trip, Sean Lennon, Rosie Perez, Talib Kweli, Michael Rapaport and more. The Beastie Boys control SiriusXM Channel 35 until next Tuesday, July 21.
Named after the label he started, Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio mixes the late reggae artist’s studio and live performances with his band The Wailers. Jack Johnson, Carlos Santana, Michael Franti, Big Boi, Cypress Hill and more will be the guests of DJ channel 42 dedicated to the Jamaican singer until August 13.
The Coldplay station features a “Live in Technicolor” series every weekday night at 8pm ET that shows live concert experiences from the band’s 20-year career. Additionally, Coldplay Radio, which is available on Channel 28 through July 21, features an exclusive live album recorded during the Viva La Vida Tour in 2009. Guest DJs Beck, Dua Lipa, Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes, and Meghan Trainor they will take turns playing their favorite tracks from the Billboard 200 No. 1 album Live life or death and all your friends. But fellow alternative rock band Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion will also be the guest presenters for the “Songs That Made Us Who We Are” series.
The Michael Jackson channel highlights its entire catalog, from his early days on Jackson 5 to the last year of his solo superstar career. Jackson 5 bandmates Akon, Rodney Jerkins and fellow Jackie, Marlon and Tito will curate King of Pop Playlists for the channel, which will be voiced by longtime family friend and journalist Steven Ivory, whose work has appeared on Billboard, Hollywood reporter, Ambient and other points of sale. Additionally, Ivory will heal an exclusive Now more than ever King of Pop Playlist on Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m. ET, while Jackson will take Channel 50 until July 21.
“Michael’s music has always brought the world together to acknowledge historical angst with songs and videos like ‘They Don’t Really Care About Us’ and ‘Black or White,'” Ivory said in a press release. “At the same time, he aspired to unify and lead the world with inspiring hymns like ‘Heal the World’ and ‘Earth Song’ that addressed themes that were important to him, like caring for our planet.”
The Queen Channel spans the rock band’s 40-year career, from small club shows to their iconic 1985 Live Aid concert. Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins, Paul Rodgers and Catherine Zeta-Jones of Foo Fighters will play their favorite songs from Queen as guest DJs on Channel 27, which will remain Queen’s station until July 21.
Prince’s repeat on SiriusXM is to tour the legendary Minneapolis sound pioneer catalog while playing music from artists he was around, inspired, and collaborated with. Maya Rudolph, Naomi Campbell, The Revolution, Morris Day, Jerome Benton, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of The Time will take turns taking over the special purple playlist. Channel 50 will be crowned The Prince Channel from next Wednesday, July 22 at 12 pm ET until July 28.
All six artist channels will be available in the SiriusXM app, Internet-connected devices, and smart home speakers. Listen to them here.
