Joe Budden Puts Music Where His Mouth Is With New Amazon Amp Show: It’s ‘Radio Reimagined’

variety.com:

A.D. Amorosi Joe Budden’s “Music Lovers Only With Joe Budden,” which launches today on Amazon’s live radio app Amp, is the latest entry to a deep resume that includes the super successful, 100% independent “Joe Budden Podcast.”The New York City native, who retired from the rap game, has become one of the leading voices in hip-hop culture, creating an empire along the way that includes co-hosting “Everyday Struggle” for Complex, and “State of the Culture” for Revolt.But it’s his often-controversial twice-weekly podcast, which launched in 2015 and touches on sports, current events, relationships and, of course, music, that has taken his influence to new heights — and had Amazon calling. “Music Lovers Only With Joe Budden” takes one act of the podcast, his unfiltered take on records old and new, and makes it the focus of a live show that’s scheduled for Mondays at 5 p.m.

Via Amp, the new live-radio app from Amazon, Budden plans to play the music he loves and talk about how those songs figure into the culture.

He’ll also feature guests and take calls from listeners.Variety caught up with Budden ahead of the show’s May 16 launch.You figured out, before many artists in your space, that podcasting and talk broadcasting is the way to go for those with opinions who have the voice and the stomach for it.

How would you describe your evolution?I’m still learning. Still growing. It has been a beautiful journey — one filled with lessons, one that affords me opportunity to talk to great people and those I admire.