In this brand new Message conversation, Ebro sits down with audio engineer, producer, and songwriter Ebonie Smith to talk about her new spoken word poetry album On Imagination and her Message that music is a ministry. Together, they dive deep on her journey as a Black woman in the male-dominated space of music production, and her organization Gender Amplified, which helps young women break into the industry.Listen to Ebonie's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

Her name is Thandiswa, but if you're from her native country of South Africa, you might know her better as King Tha. She's a singer and songwriter with a new album called Sankofa, a Ghanaian word that means "to go back and fetch what has been left behind." In this brand new conversation, she joins Ebro Darden to talk about Sankofa, and what it means to her in the context of post-apartheid South Africa.Listen to Thandiswa's Message playlist only on Apple Music

While most hip-hop fans know will.i.am from his chart-topping work with The Black Eyed Peas, he's got another major passion: philanthropy. In this conversation from 2021, he stops by the Message to talk about his "edu-tainment" anthem "American Dream," as well as the success that his i.am Angel Foundation has had with promoting STEAM education programs, robotics clubs, and getting underprivileged kids into college. Ebro and Will also take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the hip-hop that inspired them as kids, and discussing what artists the current generation has to look up to.Listen to will.i.am's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

Conway the Machine has been through a lot. The rapper, best known for his work with his Griselda brothers Westside Gunn and Benny the Butcher, helped build the Buffalo music scene from the ground up, and all in the wake of multiple jail stints and a shooting that left him partially paralyzed. In 2022, to honor the release of his second studio album God Don't Make Mistakes, he sat down with Ebro for The Message to talk about the meaning behind the album and how to survive your circumstances and come out on top. Listen to Conway the Machine's Message playlist exclusively on Apple Music.

There are many artists who could stake a claim for the title of Queen of Black Music, but it'd be hard to argue against a legend like Angelique Kidjo. Ebro spoke to her back in 2021 for Black Music Month about finding her identity through Black music and the importance of learning the stories of Black people all around the world. Listen to Angelique Kidjo's Message playlist, exclusively on Apple Music.

2021 marked a dark anniversary for America: It was the centennial of the Tulsa race massacre, a two-day long white supremacist reign of terror that destroyed Tulsa, Oklahoma's thriving Black Wall Street. To honor the 100th anniversary, a group of Tulsa rappers came together as Fire In Little Africa to produce a mixtape that told the story of that terrible event.In this episode, originally taped in 2021, Ebro sits down with Tulsa artists Steph Simon, Dr. View, and Saint Domonick to talk about the legacy of the massacre, and what the Black community can do to support the Tulsa community.Stream the Fire In Little Africa mixtape and their Message playlist only on Apple Music.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, and few rappers have been as open about their mental health throughout their career as Big Sean. Ebro called him up in 2021 to talk about his IGTV series he made on the subject with his mom, and the growth he's made throughout his career.Listen to Big Sean's Message playlist exclusively on Apple Music.

In honor of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Ebro plays back his conversation with Korean-American artist Audrey Nuna. They discuss her childhood growing up as the lone Asian-American in a non-diverse community, and the music that has influenced her artistry, from Korean classics to underground hip-hop.Listen to Audrey Nuna's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

Puerto Rican artist Residente has never been one to mince words in his songs, which may make the title of his latest album, LAS LETRAS YA NO IMPORTAN ("The lyrics don't matter"), surprising to fans. But despite the seemingly dismissive name, Residente still has a lot of big topics on his mind, and in this brand new conversation, he sits down with Ebro to discuss them. In this wide-ranging interview, they talk about his mental health struggles while writing his single "René," his desire to push himself out of his comfort zone, and speaking out against the Israeli siege on Gaza.Listen to Residente's The Message playlist, only on Apple Music,

Back in 2021, the Black Lives Matter movement scored a definitive victory: Derek Chauvin, the police officer who murdered George Floyd, was found guilty on all three counts. In this conversation, originally taped in the wake of the trial, Ebro speaks to Emmy-award winning political analyst, author, and activist Van Jones about the conviction, as well as his ongoing work to reform the carceral state and get Black people out of prison.Stream Van Jones' exclusive Message playlist only on Apple Music.

In this special Wrestlemania episode of The Message, Ebro talks to WWE superstar Bianca Belair about her work with her husband, fellow wrestler Montez Ford, to connect Black people with their culture. They also discuss mental health and Bianca's goal of changing the world's perception of what a female wrestler looks like. Listen to Bianca Belair's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

In celebration of The Vince Staples Show premiering on Netflix, Ebro throws it back to his 2021 conversation with the Long Beach rapper about mental health, his path to being a full-time rapper, and hip-hop's sudden inclusion in the Super Bowl. Listen to Vince Staples' Message playlist only on Apple Music

In this interview recorded in 2022, country/hip-hop artist Willie Jones joins Ebro to talk about his Message of taking care of your mental health, and how he put that message into his song “Get Low Get High” with Jon Batiste and Michael Todd. Listen to Willie Jones' Message playlist, as well as his series The Cross Roads Radio, only on Apple Music.

Ebro throws it back to Black History Month 2021, when he called up rapper Common and his friend Chef Lauren Von Der Pool for a conversation about nourishment and resilience through good eating, hydration, and getting enough sleep. Listen to Common and Chef Von Der Pool's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

The Message returns just in time for Black History Month! This week, Ebro talks to filmmaker-writer-producer-musician-composer Jeymes Samuel about his Message to "obey your crazy." They also dive into his new film The Book of Clarence, discuss building the soundtrack with "Black gods" Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, and Lil Wayne, and Jeymes shares some secret easter eggs about his last film, The Harder They Fall.Stream Jeymes Samuel's The Message playlist only on Apple Music.

On this brand new episode of The Message, Ebro sits down with Grammy, Emmy, and Tony-award winning singer and actor Billy Porter to talk about his message to always believe in yourself, and how he amplifies that message on his new album Black Mona Lisa.Listen to Billy Porter's Message playlist, exclusively on Apple Music.

For the first time in 25 years, all three founding members of Tony! Toni! Toné! are back onstage together. Brothers Raphael Saadiq and D'wayne Wiggins, along with their cousin Timothy Christian Riley, changed the face of R&B in the late 80s and early 90s, and now they've reunited for a tour, and possibly a new album.In this special episode of The Message, the trio sits down with Ebro to talk about their legacy, reuniting after all these years, and their Message about spreading love through music.Listen to Tony! Toni! Toné!'s Message playlist exclusively on Apple Music.NOTE: After this episode, The Message will be moving exclusively to Apple Podcasts. Episodes will now include music from the artists' playlists, and will be available to Apple Music subscribers. Follow the podcast on Apple Music to hear this episode with music, and to get notified when new episodes go live.

Today on The Message, Ebro is joined by Grammy-nominated Detroit rapper Royce da 5'9" for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from racism in the music industry to therapy to family trauma. Royce's Message is all about accountability, and he's got some thoughts about how everyone can better open up to the world around them through personal responsibility.Listen to Royce's exclusive Message playlist on Apple Music.

In today's episode of The Message, originally taped in 2021, Ebro sits down with rapper Lecrae to talk about his Christian faith, the work he's doing in his community, and watching Kanye West figure out his own faith in the public eye.

Ebro continues to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop by flashing back to his 2020 conversation with Georgia trap legend Jeezy, to discuss his Message that true success is all about mindset.Listen to Jeezy's exclusive Message playlist, only on Apple Music.

On August 11, 1973, hip-hop was born. It all went down in the Bronx, at the Back To School Jam hosted by DJ Kool Herc. Today on the Message, Ebro celebrates the 50th anniversary of the genre that changed the world by sitting down with one of its originators, Grandmaster Flash. Flash's contributions to hip-hop cannot be overstated. He was the first person to play the turntables like an instrument, and developed a new way of spinning called the Quick Mix Theory. Today he joins Ebro to share his Message and reminisce on the early days of hip-hop.Listen to Grandmaster Flash's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

In 2020, while the U.S. was dealing with the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, Nigeria erupted in a nationwide protest movement of its own. The hashtag #EndSARS swept social media worldwide, calling for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a division of the Nigerian police force known for its brutality. The youth-led movement was buoyed by support from celebrities both abroad and at home, including today's guest, Nigerian singer, actress and activist Tiwa Savage.In this conversation, taped at the end of 2020, Tiwa and Ebro look back on the summer of demonstrations, what they learned from the state's reaction, and what the future looks like for the youth of Nigeria.Listen to Tiwa Savage's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

This week on The Message, Ebro is joined by Atlanta rapper T.I. to discuss his message of Black liberation. Together, they dive deep on the American police state, Black Lives Matter, and dealing with family conflict. Listen to T.I.'s Message playlist exclusively on Apple Music.

Ebro welcomes Emmy award-winning journalist Ari Melber to the Message to talk about the fallout from the January 6 insurrection, his viral dissection of JAY-Z's "God Did" verse, and to walk through his heavy hitting Message playlist that he calls "The Facts and What Slaps."

"My message would be that education is liberation."On this special Juneteenth episode of the Message, Ebro throws it back to his 2021 conversation with journalist and educator Nikole Hannah-Jones. They discuss her work on the 1619 Project, Critical Race Theory, her arduous journey through the education system that led her to getting tenured at Howard University, and the music that continues to inspire her.Listen to Nikole Hannah-Jones' Message playlist, only on Apple Music.

In honor of Pride Month, Ebro flashes back to his 2021 conversation with songwriter-producer Syd (Odd Future, The Internet) and singer/songwriter Durand Bernarr to explore the concept of "chosen family," and how important it is for young queer artists to find the people that will embrace and support them on their journey.Listen to Syd and Durand's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Ebro sits down with podcaster and influencer Wallo267 to talk about the mindset that kept him motivated through his 20-year prison sentence, taking care of his mental health in the wake of that trauma, and how he turned his life into a success story in the few short years he’s been out.Listen to Wallo's Message playlist, exclusively on Apple Music.

Ebro talks to hip-hop executive and author Sophia Chang for Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month about being the first ever Asian woman in hip-hop, being radicalized by punk music, and her work managing many of your favorite artists, from RZA to Paul Simon.

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 superstar does not exempt one from these duties, as French Montana knows. On this episode of the Message, Ebro and French sit down for a candid conversation about his faith, his immigration journey, his charity work, and the upcoming documentary about his life, which will be executive produced by Drake.Listen to French Montana's exclusive Message playlist only on Apple Music.

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 2015. They also touch on social media and so-called "cancel culture," his activism on Capitol Hill, and the recent wave of anti-semitism from celebrities like Kanye West and Kyrie Irving.Make sure to subscribe to The Message to get updated when new episodes drop, and listen to Jon Stewart's Message playlist on Apple Music.

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 spent on the road.NOTE: This interview originally taped in the fall of 2020.

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 to Andra Day's exclusive Message playlist only on Apple Music.

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 mission has always been rooted in improving the state of affairs for Black America. “Historically, America has never shown that it cares about somebody that comes from where I come from, lives like I live, or looks like me,” he says. “So all of a sudden, you know, there's this big interest in that. I don't trust it. But I really think the true solution is us taking care of us.”In this special Black History Month edition of the Message, Ebro and Banner sit down to talk about Banner's Message of Black liberation, investing in Black communities, and breaking out of the programming of white supremacy. Listen to David Banner's Message playlist only on Apple Music.

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 back against a deeply unfair legal practice that has its origins in the ugliest tradition of American history.Listen to the pair's Message playlist, only on Apple Music.

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 agree that there is an urgent mental health crisis in the Black community, and as Styles P says, "you never know how other people are feeling."Listen to the pair's Message playlist, only on Apple Music.

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.

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.