Hollyoaks launches Spotify playlist with Love Music Hate Racism
Hollyoaks has teamed up with Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) on a week of special episodes.
The Channel 4 and E4 aired soap is currently exploring the issue of far-right radicalisation with the character of Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) who has found himself involved with some unsavoury characters.
This week, during a peak in the storyline the youth-aimed saga will feature songs from artists that stand against racism. Music used within the episodes will include a track called ‘Calling Out’ by emerging artist BOBBi featuring duo Hannie, who have written an unreleased track to feature in the soap. Stormzy, Rationale and many other UK artists signed to LMHR backers Atlantic Records and Universal Records will also feature across the special episodes.
“There was an immediate connection to the storyline and we jumped at the chance to write for this moment. All the writers and artists were able to inject their personal struggles into the song. ‘Calling Out’ is about speaking to your peers, your community, and whoever you trust, to get you through a difficult time. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that you always have a choice, and the power to make a difference. The song sums up Ste’s desperation to escape from a massive mistake he has made. It captures his wish to change and is a reminder to us all that it’s never too late.” – BOBBi and Hannie
Tracks include:
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Kindred – Rationale
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Run Run – RAY BLK
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Screwdriver – Mystery Jets
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Walk – Kwabs
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Crown – Stormzy
Over the past year viewers have seen Hollyoaks mainstay Ste groomed into far-right radical beliefs in a ground-breaking storyline. This week’s episodes – which began at 7pm on Friday on E4 – follow tragic events and a devastating incident that makes Ste realise that his ‘new friends’ are in fact highly dangerous. He then needs to escape the clutches of the group. Hollyoaks has worked with the Home Office body, Prevent, throughout the long-running storyline.
Other songs featured within the episodes are: “Soul survivor” – Rita Ora, “Love and Hate” – Michael Kiwanuka and Grace Carter’s “Silence”.
“Because of how passionately the music industry feels about tackling racism it wasn’t difficult to find artists who’d allow their tracks to be used to support this vital cause. Hollyoaks and LMHR are hopefully making people question and interrogate news, where they get it from and dangerous insidious views. Young people have the voice to say no to racism and anyone with a platform, like Hollyoaks and the music industry, should support it.” – Paul Samuels, VP, A&R, Atlantic Records & East West and Co-Founder of LMHR
All songs featured can be found in the Hollyoaks Music 2019 Spotify playlist.
