Tag: lauren simmons

Our New Frequency Studio, Scholarships, and More—Here’s What’s Happening on Spotify Throughout Black History Month

February 1, 2022

Last May, when Spotify launched Frequency—our global initiative and holistic destination for celebrating Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform—we did so with a mission to create a space that represents the wide spectrum of Black artistry. Since then, listeners have tuned into Frequency music playlists like Ripple Effect and House Party and learned from the Heard You podcast playlist.

We’re committed to celebrating and uplifting Black culture, creativity, and community year-round, with special emphasis on the month of February in honor of Black History Month. This year, we want to celebrate the multidimensionality of Black listeners, artists, and creators, truly encompassing the breadth of Black creativity—so we’ve created a space to bring that to life.  

Programs and Opportunities IRL

Introducing: Frequency Presents The Free Studio. We’re building upon Spotify’s existing investment in Black artists and creators by opening a short-term creator studio to host a number of diverse artists and creators. The space will consist of recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more. It will provide a physical space to foster creativity from rising artists whose work is making an impact on mainstream culture. We’ll be releasing more details, including the chosen creators, soon. In the meantime, check out the Frequency Hub on Spotify for newly refreshed playlists. 

Beyond The Free Studio, we’re also continuing our commitments from prior years. In spring of 2021, we reaffirmed our commitment to combating racial inequity with a focus on organizations dedicated to inspiring, connecting, and elevating the next generation of Black voices and creators. Two of these partners are the 4A’s Foundation and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). Our new scholarships with each organization help young Black creatives at various stages in their artistic journeys access education and career opportunities. 

Listen—and join in—on cultural conversations

We’re also ensuring that listeners can find Black History Month–specific content on the platform. Look out for new podcasts and special episodes from the following shows:

  • Today, we’re announcing Abolition X, hosted by Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo, and Richie Reseda. This conversation isn’t just about getting rid of police and prisons. It’s about replacing revenge-based thinking in every part of our lives. In each episode, incarcerated people, artists, and organizers address how abolition intersects with different parts of Black culture. Tune in when it launches February 15 and catch a trailer below.
  • A new season of NO SKIPS with Jinx and Shea debuts February 3 with a new episode on Madlib’s Madvillainy.
  • Spotify Original podcast Dope Labs will host special episodes this month on the Winter Olympics and HBCUs featuring Spotify’s Xavier “X” Jernigan. 
  • Co.Lab is a Spotify for Artists event series where industry experts and fellow artists offer their perspectives on the topics affecting working artists today. A product of Co.Lab, Co.Lab Sessions is a podcast that makes conversations from the event series and distills them into quick-hit episodes complete with top-notch tips and advice from various guests. Our Frequency ambassadors (Monique Blake, Archie Davis, Eve Fairley-Chickwe, and Tommy Brown) participated last year and their podcast episodes will be released Friday, February 11. 

Spotify Greenroom is also a new, entertaining, and educational resource for listeners looking to listen and learn this Black History Month. 

Spotify Original Greenroom show The Grapevine Live is hosted by Ashley Akunna and Donovan Thompson. It’s dedicated to driving the conversation around Black culture, the Black perspective, and current events. This month, Ashley and Donovan will dedicate The Grapevine Live’s episodes to various aspects of the Black experience and Black history with episodes focused on: 

  • “Killing the Stigma of HIV in the Black Community” – February 3
  • “Black Fashion: In Remembrance of Andre Leon Talley” – February 10
  • “The Murder of Lauren Smith Fields” – February 17
  • “To Be Young, Gifted and Black – A Celebration of Us” – February 24  

Tune in to these on Thursdays at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.

Plus, check out some other Black voices on Spotify Greenroom, including:

  • Most Necessary Live – Hosted by Brian “B.Dot” Miller – Tuesdays at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
  • Money Moves – Hosted by Lauren Simmons – Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

Finally, Spotify Canada will highlight Black artists in underrepresented spaces by featuring creators such as Julian Taylor, Fefe Dobson, Kaytranada, and WondaGurl on the cover of various playlists across a variety of genres. 

This Black History Month, learn from new podcasts like Abolition X. Get a sneak peak with the trailer below.

Kicking Off a New Slate of Spotify Greenroom Shows, Host Lauren Simmons Gives Her Two Cents on Her Upcoming Show ‘Money Moves’

November 15, 2021

Plus, Spotify Greenroom Greenlights a New Feature That Lets Everyone Listen Live, No Login Required

From initiating direct conversations with your favorite artists to dissecting the latest WWE match with the experts, live shows have given listeners a fresh perspective on audio entertainment. And with Spotify Greenroom, it’s easy to experience the best of the live format. Each virtual room offers timely conversations on music, sports, culture, and more.

And starting today, you don’t even need the Spotify Greenroom app or a login to start listening. We’re excited to introduce our latest feature, which gives anyone and everyone the ability to listen to live rooms on their web browsers or on their phones. For example, on Wednesday night, when Money Moves, hosted by Lauren Simmons, premieres (see more below), you’ll be able to listen on desktop or mobile by clicking here, even if you aren’t signed up for Spotify Greenroom. Web listening is available in the more than 135 markets where Spotify Greenroom is available. Of course, if you’re ready to take the experience a step beyond listening, join rooms from the app to participate and interact.

No matter how you tune in, there’s a whole new lineup of shows ready to spice up the season in addition to the shows we’ve already launched on Spotify Greenroom, like The Ringer MMA Show, Deux Me After Dark, The Grapevine Live, and many more. Here are the new November shows you’ll want on your radar.

Taylor Talk – Fridays at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

Hosted by Ellie Schnitt

Host Ellie Schnitt is taking her Taylor Swift fandom to the next level on her new show, Taylor Talk. Every week, Ellie will discuss the latest Taylor Swift music updates and then focus the conversation on one of the artist’s songs. Based on the song’s theme, listeners will share personal stories and Ellie will ask questions, give commentary, and even share some of her own tales. It’s a show for Taylor Swift fans hosted by the biggest Taylor Swift fan. The debut episode of Taylor Talk took place this past Friday, coinciding with and celebrating the release of RED (Taylor’s Version). You can listen to the premiere episode and what Ellie had to say about the new album on demand on Spotify here!

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17

Money Moves – 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

Hosted by Lauren Simmons

Host Lauren Simmons of the Spotify Original podcast Mind Body Wealth will give advice and answer Gen Z’s biggest questions about jobs, money, and achieving success in life.

SUNDAY, NOV. 28 

Dating Makeover – 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

Hosted by Jared Freid

Every week our host, Jared Freid, will cover all things in the world of dating—dating apps, pickup lines, ghosting—and talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly. He’ll also help audience members who are struggling with online dating to improve their dating profiles and invite other Spotify Greenroom listeners to weigh in. Who knows, he may even coach a special listener through a date live in the Spotify Greenroom and make a love connection!

Veteran creator and finance expert Lauren spoke with For the Record to give an inside look at Money Moves. Here’s a first look at what Spotify Greenroom listeners can look forward to.

Tell us a little bit about Money Moves. What can fans of Mind Body Wealth look forward to? What might excite new listeners?

Money Moves is all about having open conversations when it comes to business and finance. Some example topics include insights into how to stand out when applying to jobs and investing smartly.

What opportunities does the live format present when talking about topics like money, savings, and financial literacy?

The live format gives people in the room the opportunity to have deeper conversations in real time and get their questions answered in an open platform. The conversations can go further because I’m not the only one bringing my ideas to the table. It gives opportunities to bring different thoughts and ethos to the table. 

How does Spotify Greenroom’s live, interactive format differ from podcasting? How does it enhance your audio brand on Spotify?

Mind Body Wealth is mostly centered around me and my ethos and different guests that come on the show. The Spotify Greenroom audio space is not a one-on-one conversation but an extension of my podcast, which allows a melting pot of individuals coming together. 

What are some of your favorite podcasts and Spotify Greenroom shows right now? 

My favorite podcasts are all holistic. I love the Hay House Radio Podcast and On Purpose with Jay Shetty. It’s nice to step outside of my finance world.

Take it from Lauren and don’t wait another minute to check out Spotify Greenroom. Join from your browser to listen, or log in to weigh in. Make money moves (or talk Taylor) on Spotify Greenroom. And be sure to follow your favorite shows and creators on the app to get notified anytime they go live!