The Message with Ebro Darden

Apple Music•art19.com

Welcome to The Message, an interview series about music, culture, mental health, and politics, brought to you by Apple Music.

The summer of 2020 was marked by an unprecedented awareness for--and anger about--the continued injustices Black people and people of color in America and worldwide face. The ensuing protests, activations, and social media fury inspired musicians around the world to speak out about their own experiences, with some going on to record music that speaks directly to the moment. Hosted by Apple Music's Ebro Darden, The Message is a series that aims to further the dialogue about the unrest and inequalities in the United States and abroad via intimate conversations with some of the most prominent voices in the culture today, who also create exclusive playlists of the songs inspiring them to keep pushing forward.

Guests include Jon Batiste, Erykah Badu, Jon Stewart, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Common, Vince Staples, and many more. Follow to get the uncut and uncensored interviews delivered to you every two weeks, and subscribe to Apple Music to listen to the guests' playlists and add them to your library.

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Episodes

French Montana

In April 2021, President Biden signed a letter declaring April as National Arab American Heritage Month, the result of four years of campaigning by Arab American organizations to federally recognize the month after years of isolated celebrations in various states and school districts. This year, it loosely corresponds with Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, in which Muslims around the world fast, pray, read the Quran, and focus on their faith and community. Being a global rap supe...

Apr 24, 2023•37 min•Ep. 8

Jon Stewart

This week on The Message, Ebro is joined by Jon Stewart to walk through his playlist of anti-establishment tracks that have kept him motivated through his days as a New Jersey bartender, his stint as an MTV talk show host, his legendary run on The Daily Show, and all the way up to now as a podcaster and host of The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+. As they look back on this journey, Jon opens up about his Message, and how it led him back to TV after his retirement from The Daily Show in 201...

Apr 10, 2023•37 min•Ep. 7

Erykah Badu

For Women's History Month, Ebro runs it back to the very first episode of The Message on Apple Music 1, airing his conversation with R&B queen Erykah Badu for the very first time in its uncut entirety. They walk through her soulful Message playlist (which she titled "Now Breathe Like It") and talk about mental health, family, and healing yourself through music. Then, to honor the 20th anniversary of her iconic album Mama's Gun, they reflect on the album, the origins of her career, and a life...

Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 6

Andra Day

For Women's History Month, Ebro flashes back to 2021 and his conversation with Andra Day, star of the Golden Globe-winning film The United States vs. Billie Holiday. They dive deep into Holiday's legacy, and how embodying the iconic powerhouse singer was the greatest challenge of Day's career. The conversation then evolves into an appreciation of Black women and their struggle throughout history, and the incredible female Black musicians changing the face of the current musical landscape. Listen...

Mar 13, 2023•37 min•Ep. 5

David Banner

David Banner was one of the most popular MCs and producers of the early aughts, delivering hits for other artists like Trick Daddy’s “Thug Holiday” and T.I.’s “Rubber Band Man” while turning parties out with songs of his own like “Crank It Up” and “Like a Pimp.” He’d parlay undeniable charm and a million-dollar smile into movie roles and hosting gigs, extending the scope of his career far beyond the recording booth, but as his newest music—2017’s The God Box —more accurately reflects, Banner’s m...

Feb 27, 2023•55 min•Ep. 4

Rep. Jamaal Bowman & Kevin Liles

For the latest episode of Apple Music’s The Message, Ebro is joined by music mogul Kevin Liles and United States Congressman Jamaal Bowman of New York. Though they might at face value seem like unlikely bedfellows, Liles and Bowman are working in concert to garner support for the Artists' Right to Speech Act, or the ARTS Act, which would prohibit the use of music lyrics as evidence in court proceedings. Liles and Bowman both claim to owe much to hip-hop, and feel particularly compelled to strike...

Feb 13, 2023•44 min•Ep. 3

Styles P & Hezues R

This week, Ebro is joined by rapper Styles P and filmmaker Hezues R to hear about the work that the two of them are doing to get youth off the streets through their latest venture, the SIC Film School. The pair of them also share the personal struggles that started them on their mental health journeys. Styles P reflects on the passing of his daughter from suicide, while Hezues talks about turning his life around after he was shot 22 times, with the help of Styles P's song "The Life." The two agr...

Jan 30, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 2

Jon Batiste

Ebro sits down with 5-time Grammy winner, Oscar winner, and Emmy winner Jon Batiste to talk about the history of Black music in America, the message behind his album ' We Are ,' and the unbreakable link between Black music and activism. Listen to Jon's Message playlist and watch the video interview, only on Apple Music.

Jan 16, 2023•32 min•Ep. 1

The Message with Ebro Darden Trailer

Welcome to The Message, a new interview hosted series hosted by Ebro Darden about music, culture, mental health, and politics. Stay tuned for the first episode with guest Jon Batiste, releasing in January. Brought to you by Apple Music.

Jan 05, 2023•1 min

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