WMX ANNOUNCES NEW VISUAL PODCAST SERIES ICONIC RECORDS

Rhea-AI Summary

Warner Music Group (WMG) announced the launch of a new visual podcast series, Iconic Records: Life After Death, hosted by Angie Martinez. The series, premiering on April 29, 2023, on The Roku Channel, focuses on The Notorious B.I.G.'s final album, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. It consists of eight episodes featuring guests like Lil Cease, Fat Joe, Pusha T, and Rick Ross, who will discuss the album's creation and cultural impact. Viewers can also access the series on YouTube and other audio platforms starting May 1. Ben Blank, President of WMX, emphasized the importance of sharing stories that have influenced generations, marking this series as a significant step in connecting artists with fans.

Positive

• Launch of Iconic Records series enhances content offering and engages hip-hop audience.
• Collaboration with renowned host Angie Martinez attracts attention and credibility.
• Focus on The Notorious B.I.G.'s legacy aligns WMX with cultural milestones in music history.

Negative

• None.

Season One, 'Iconic Records: Life After Death,' explores Notorious B.I.G.'s legendary final album

Influential radio personality Angie Martinez hosts, series launches April 29 on The Roku Channel

NEW YORK, April 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WMX, the next-generation artist services, media and creative content division of Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), today announced the launch of Iconic Records, a visual podcast series illuminating the most iconic albums in pop culture. The debut season, which coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop, focuses on The Notorious B.I.G. and his legendary final album, 1997's Life After Death. The eight-episode series is hosted by "The Voice of New York," Angie Martinez.

Throughout the series, Martinez is joined by hip hop luminaries who participated in the creation of, or were influenced by, Biggie's 11x-platinum double-LP magnum opus. Guests include Lil Cease, Fat Joe, Pusha T, Rick Ross, and Too $hort as well as additional surprise appearances. Throughout their conversations, Martinez and her guests reminisce about the making of the album and explore the cultural impact of Life After Death, as well as Biggie's broader legacy.

Iconic Records: Life After Death will premiere on the new WMX Hip-Hop channel (Ch. 1137) on The Roku Channel on April 29^th at 8p EST / 5p PST. Viewers can also watch the visual podcast on The Notorious B.I.G's YouTube Channel, and listeners can stream across all major audio podcast platforms starting May 1^st.

Radio Hall of Famer Angie Martinez has nearly 25 years of on-air experience and has interviewed artists and icons alike from Michelle Obama to Taraji P. Henson. She's also a New York Times best-selling author, actress, television host, and GRAMMY-nominated recording artist. Additionally, last year she launched her hit podcast IRL with Angie Martinez.

"It's an honor to host the first-ever season of Iconic Records. Biggie was, and still is, one of the most important artists of our lifetime and Life After Death is a masterpiece!" said Martinez. "To collaborate with WMX on this series has been an incredible experience. It's especially meaningful as we also pay homage to 50 years of hip hop and how it's changed the course of history."

"The Notorious B.I.G. is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. His work has been examined and reviewed before, but this series provides new stories and firsthand accounts by the people that were there. It's something special," adds Wayne Barrow, manager of The Notorious B.I.G.

"We're excited to be able to share stories about the albums that have shaped entire generations so profoundly – beginning with Biggie's Life After Death," said Ben Blank, President, Media & Creative Content, WMX. "The launch of Iconic Records embraces the huge appetite and need for unique content tailored for genre-specific audiences. WMX lives at a crossroads where artists, content, and experiences converge to reach music fans where they are, and this exciting series is the first of many forums in which we will continue to tell the stories about the art that shapes and inspires our culture." 

The series is executive produced by Angie Martinez and Kevin Hofman (WMX), and directed by Bonsu Thompson, in collaboration with the Estate of Christopher Wallace.

To view the official trailer, please visit: https://www.iconicrecords.com/ 

Access accompanying images here.

Roku is a registered trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks, and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders.

About WMX:

WMX encompasses five key verticals: Commercial Services, Media Business, Artist & Fan Experiences, E-Commerce & Retail and Audience Strategy. A first-of-its-kind music culture, commerce, content and media division, WMX is designed to connect artists with fans and amplify brands in creative, immersive, and engaging ways. The media business brings advertisers direct access to Warner Music Group artists, immersive digital content with editorial integrity, an award-winning content studio, over 15 hit music & culture shows, and scaled premium video with over 56 billion monthly global views across platforms. WMX's owned and operated properties include UPROXX, the youth culture & music destination; Songkick, the live music discovery platform; HipHopDX, a leading hip-hop media brand, Cover Nation, the largest community of cover song creators and fans, The Pit, the leading hard rock & heavy metal news publication, as well as Lasso Nation, the social-first country music and lifestyle publisher.

Follow WMX on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Kevin Castech 
Kevin.Castech@wmg.com 

 

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SOURCE Warner Music Group Corp.

FAQ

What is the new podcast series announced by Warner Music Group?

The new podcast series is called Iconic Records: Life After Death, focusing on The Notorious B.I.G.'s final album.

When does the series <i>Iconic Records: Life After Death</i> premiere?

The series premieres on April 29, 2023.

Who hosts the <i>Iconic Records</i> podcast series?

The series is hosted by Angie Martinez, a well-known radio personality.

Where can I watch <i>Iconic Records: Life After Death</i>?

The series will be available on The Roku Channel and The Notorious B.I.G.'s YouTube Channel.

What significance does the show have for hip-hop culture?

The show coincides with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, celebrating the genre's impact on culture.