Hip-hop radio veteran Ebro Darden has added a new full-time gig on top of his daily duties on air. Most associated with New York's WQHT Hot 97, including as a programming executive, Darden co-anchors Apple Music's Beats 1, and as of Jan. 2 he is the new Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B for Apple Music.
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"This is music made by people living real lives and artists speaking on behalf of those real lives," Darden said.
His community-centered point of view has helped him grow multiple networks through the years. Apple Music Global Director of Editorial Rachel Newman told Billboard, "He'll obviously take a leadership position for us not just in hip-hop and R&B but also in the communities where the music is made, which is also exciting and something unique to Ebro."
Darden grew up working at various stations and plans to use his new role to reach local communities around the world.
"This is a global position as well. So, as we build this out, I'll be doing the same thing I want to do in America in the U.K., Africa, India, Japan, Brazil and other countries," he said. "I’ll be wherever R&B and hip-hop are being consumed and working to create communication amongst communities around the world through Apple Music — making sure that black music is getting recognized and developing the next superstars."
"Ebro In The Morning" is broadcast on Hot 97 Monday through Friday, 6:00–10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Ebro — short for Ibrahim — also plans to continue his Monday through Friday Beats 1 streamcast from 3:00–5:00 ET. He originally joined Apple Music in 2015, co-hosting with Julie Adenuga and Zane Lowe.
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