Rebecca Judd Highlights Her Favorite Female Artists for International Women’s Day
The host of Apple Music’s ‘The Rebecca Judd Show’ talks music, career and shares her exclusive playlist with us.
For International Women’s Day, we spoke to Rebecca Judd, one of Apple Music‘s leading UK radio hosts, to chat about everything from how she first got into music, to some of her favorite albums. Rebecca started her eponymous radio show The Rebecca Judd Show with Apple last year, and has previously worked in community radio stations in London, and is incredibly passionate when it comes to highlighting new talent.
In honor of IWD, Rebecca has put together a playlist featuring empowering female artists exclusively for Hypebae. Read our interview with Rebecca below, and scroll down to see the playlist. Apple Music is also celebrating IWD, which you can tune into here.
Where did your interest in music start?
This is a hard question, it’s something that I’ve been very passionate about from a young age. I remember one Christmas I had £10 GBP left of my Christmas money and wanted to spend that last few pounds on an album. I was nine years old and purchased Kelis’ Tasty album, the album that had “Milkshake,” “Trick Me” and “Millionaire” on it, I was so excited! My sister used to take me to a lot of concerts when I was younger, too. Being in school and updating my iPod shuffle with all the latest songs and then putting my headphones in and living my best life!
Who are some key musicians and artists that have been a part of your life?
Definitely Lauryn Hill, I’ll never forget hearing The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill for the first time, that’s an album that will forever blow my mind. It’s a true masterpiece. I was lucky enough to go to the 20th anniversary show and I felt so emotional the whole time. My favourite album ever. Definitely Beyoncé, too, an artist who has been releasing music for basically my whole life, whether in Destiny’s Child or as a solo artist! She’s been there my whole life, haha! And one of the greatest performers I’ve ever seen live!
How do you find new and up-and-coming artists to feature?
Quite a few ways, a lot of artists send me music to my email. I’ve got an incredible team for my show too so if they find an artist or song they think I’ll like, they show me. I spend a lot of time scrolling on social media too and find loads of great new artists on Instagram – this is how I justify my awful amount of screen time a week haha. Loads of playlists on Apple Music too, UK R&B is currently my favorite!
What is the most fun about radio? What’s the biggest challenge?
Being able to talk to artists that I grew up listening to, or discovering a new song that I love and being able to play it to over 100 countries, that still feels very surreal! This is something I worked very hard for so I’m super grateful to be able to do it everyday, it’s a true blessing! Also knowing I could potentially make someone’s day better by playing some great music, that’s always in the back of my mind. I’d say the biggest challenge is to try and squeeze in every song I’m loving on the show that day.
