Hulu has added a wealth of fresh content to mark Black History Month.
Among the offerings is a new virtual concert, “Your Attention Please: The Concert,” featuring five rising musicians. It debuts Thursday at 8 p.m. EST on Hulu. After the debut, non-subscribers will be able to watch for free for a month on Hulu’s YouTube channel.
The performers are rappers 24kGoldn, Lil Yachty and Swae Lee, as well as folk singer Joy Oladokun and R&B singer Kiana Ledé. Actor Craig Robinson (“The Office,” “This Is the End”) will serve as host.
If you’ve turned on the radio in the last few months, you’ve likely heard 24kGoldn’s No. 1 song, “Mood” featuring Iann Dior. The catchy song has spent 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and he was named YouTube’s first Artist On the Rise of 2021. His upcoming studio album, “El Dorado,” will include a collaboration with DaBaby.
It’s important for today’s youth to see people in the media who look like they do, 24kGoldn (real name Golden Landis Von Jones) told USA TODAY.
“As a young kid, seeing representation of Black artists on my TV screen inspired me to be the artist I am today, and hopefully I can do the same for a kid somewhere today,” he said.
In 2017, Ciara and Russell Wilson used Oladokun’s “No Turning Back” to announce they’d had a baby. Oladokun, an Arizona native who calls Tracy Chapman one of her biggest influences, released her second album, “In Defense of My Own Happiness,” last year. Oladokun was one of 21 Black musicians picked by YouTube this year to receive a grant to further her work.
“I want to remind people that we are actively shaping the culture right now,” she told USA TODAY. “I think it’s cool to start with a bunch of dope performances and interviews to show why people do what they do. I want a new generation of Black creatives to look at this and think, ‘I am a part of shaping what’s happening in the world.’ “
Georgia-born Lil Yachty’s (real name Miles Parks McCollum) early singles “One Night” and “Minnesota” introduced his signature sound, which he’s described as “bubblegum trap.” His debut studio album arrived in 2017, “Teenage Emotions.” A fourth studio album, “Lil Boat 3,” came out in May.
Swae Lee (real name Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown) is one half of hip-hop group Rae Sremmurd (“Drummers Ear” spelled backward) along with his brother Slim Jxmmi (real name Aaquil Iben Shamon Brown). “SremmLife,” their debut album, dropped in 2015, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard’s albums chart. They teased an upcoming album in 2019 that has not been released yet.
Ledé is perhaps best known so far for her role in the MTV series “Scream.” Her album debut, “Kiki,” has been out since April and peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard 200. She actually got her start performing for “Kidz Bop.”
The concert is a companion to Hulu’s original series “Your Attention Please,” which is dropping new episodes each Friday this month. “Your Attention Please,” also hosted by Robinson, introduces viewers to Black artists, including musicians, authors and dancers.
Best shows to watch on Hulu right now:‘Modern Family’ arrives in February
Why is Black History Month in February?:How do you celebrate? Everything you need to know.
In addition to the concert and fresh episodes of “Your Attention Please,” Hulu has curated a number of other Black History Month offerings under the “Black Stories” tab when you log in, including popular TV shows and movies, as well as Hulu originals.
Follow Gary Dinges on Twitter @gdinges
Post comments (0)