Erykah Badu and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar To Curate New Sonos Radio Stations

Sonos Radio has officially announced 20 new stations and shows curated by the likes of Erykah Badu and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The Queen of neo-soul is set to curate BADUBOTRON Radio, which is billed as “a space where music genres are stars and the galaxy is filled with psychedelic funk, retro soul, classic rock, spiritual jazz and experimental hip hop.” Meanwhile, the basketball legend will be teaming up with Impulse Records! for a collaborative station that celebrates the legendary label’s 60th anniversary. Abdul-Jabbar, who is also an activist and jazz historian, will “revisit the genre’s role in his upbringing and its deep roots in African American history and culture.”

Other new stations set to premiere in October include an expanded sleep station from Wilco’s Mikael Jorgensen, as well as seasonal offerings for Halloween, Christmas, Kwanzaa and more.

In a statement, Badu shared:

“WELL Listeners can expect whatever they please.
I just want them to feel something. Something new,
something good, something unfamiliar, something triggering,
something that inspires them to peace…. Or war, or whatever they may need.
Music makes me feel soooo great. There are billions and trillions of atomic memories in these notes.
I curated this station especially for me… WITH you In mind, of course. I’m grateful.
Push up the faderrrrrrrrrrrrr.”

Abdul-Jabbar added:

“Jazz is like a mighty river running through the history of the African American community. It’s been feeding and nurturing us since it came alive in the late 1800s in New Orleans. It’s a celebration of who we are and what we’ve been through as well as an inspiration that binds us. The Impulse! Records station is going to revive jazz for those who already appreciate it and introduce it to a new generation.”

Elsewhere in music, Tems confirmed a new collab with Drake scheduled for 2022.