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Zane Lowe discusses Apple Music, Beats 1, Steve Jobs, & more in interview [Video]

Beats-1-Zane-Lowe-Ebro-Darden-Julie-Adenuga

In a new interview with Noisey, Beats 1 head honcho Zane Lowe has sat down to discuss a variety of topics. Lowe touches on he and Apple’s goal with Beats 1 and Apple Music, his musical inspiration, Steve Jobs, and much more.

During the early planning days of Beats 1, Lowe said he turned to Jimmy Iovine for advice on content for the station. Iovine simply told him “don’t be boring,” and Lowe says that’s what he’s been trying to do ever since Apple Music’s Beats 1 station went live last summer.

Regarding his decision to leave BBC Radio 1 for Apple, Lowe explained that it was purely because of the job and potential that he saw in Apple’s idea. He was quick to note that there’s no bad blood between himself and Radio 1 and that he had an amazing 12-year run, but wanted to try something new. “It’s time for technology to embrace entertainment and for entertainment to embrace technology,” he said.

Lowe also touched on Steve Jobs during the interview, explaining that while he never closely followed the life of the former Apple CEO, he’s been using Apple products for years. His reasoning for this is how seamlessly and easy Apple products work:

I mean I wouldn’t say that I was one of those people who read about Steve or followed Steve as an individual, but obviously I’m a fan of his work. I’ve been an Apple user for a long time. In terms of technology devices, they’re reliable and they’re easy. You turn them on and they just work.

Regarding artist shows on Beats 1, Lowe said that he has never told anyone what to play on their show and that content played is entirely up to each individual host. The only content Lowe has control over is what’s played during his show everyday.

You can watch the full interview below. Lowe gives a quick tour of his office and touches on a variety of other topics, including his approach to interviews and more.

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Comments

  1. robertsm76 - 8 years ago

    Has Apple ever released any type of numbers of how many people listen to Beats 1 at any time?

  2. domtoliver - 8 years ago

    “…Lowe said that he has never told anyone what to play on their show and that content played is entirely up to each individual hos.”

    Well, they sure are some creative hos. O_o

  3. PhilBoogie - 8 years ago

    “Iovine simply told him “don’t be boring”

    Yup, a true leader¡

    • flaviosuave - 8 years ago

      Alexander the Great pointed in a direction and said “conquer!” If you can get your point across in a couple words, why bother with more?

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com