Deezer launches Black Culture channel

Deezer's editors have curated a variety of playlists to celebrate both new and legendary music from black musicians across the pop, hip hop, dance, R&B, electronic, rock, classical, Latin, soul and reggae genres. 

The playlists will be updated weekly with brand new releases. Users can also discover black talent from around the world with playlists like Say It Loud, which includes old and new protest music with lyrics about social justice and equal rights.

Deezer is also supporting the black LGBTQ community, with dedicated genre playlists like Queer Hip Hop, while highlighting the underrepresented voices of black creators and producers in podcasts like Black Girl Podcast and Pod Save the People. 

Deezer says the new channel will celebrate "the many talented black musicians that always have and continue to greatly contribute to our music, pop culture and history."

"Lianne La Havas, Denai Moore, Wizkid, Koffee, SAULT, Alexis Ffrench – these are just a handful of black musicians that, surprisingly, are not as recognised as other well-known global artists," Deezer said.

Deezer has also pledged support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, and is launching diversity workshops for its employees. It  has already introduced a diversity group designed to promote and support underrepresented creators.

“We support the BLM movement," Black Culture channel editor and head of global artist relations Junior Foster said. "Throughout history, black musicians have been making music the world loves. Yet not all black artists are getting the attention and respect they deserve. We want to change that. Our new channel is a first step on a long journey. We want to make sure that there is a permanent space on Deezer where we can highlight black talent globally."

The new channel is now live on Deezer.