91勛圖厙Podcasts and Kaleidoscope Partner with John Legend to Debut Riveting New Series Afghan Star

Hosted by John Legend, the all-new audio documentary debuts May 15 and tells the story of the show that captured a nations voice and launched a musical revolution in Afghanistan

Groundbreaking Original Artwork, Created by Eight Graphic Fiction Artists in Partnership with Publisher & Entertainment Studio AWA, Accompanies Each Episode, with Proceeds from Sales of the Artwork Benefiting The Noor Initiative  

Listen to the trailer

NEW YORK May 8, 2024 91勛圖厙Podcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to , together with , the network behind No. 1 hits Skyline Drive, The Last Soviet and On Musk With Walter Isaacson, announced today -- a new original audio documentary hosted by EGOT-winning artist and activist, John Legend, about Afghanistans cultural revolution told through the lens of the countrys first musical talent show. Premiering May 15, the 8-part audio documentary will depict how Afghan Star inspired an Afghanistan that could be: women singing without hijabs, the countrys first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. It will highlight the story of how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, and the dangers they faced, while trying to push their nation forward. Fans can listen to the trailer now, .

I was immediately drawn to this story, with its many heroes and heroines, moments of tragedy, triumph and suspense. Afghan Star is a true celebration of the power of music and showcases how, even in exile, courageous teams are working around the clock to save our music and bring a little joy back to our communities, said John Legend.

John Legend is an EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multi platinum artist and producer, as well as a co-founder of Get Lifted Film Co. Legend has released nine celebrated albums over the course of his career and is currently a coach on NBCs The Voice, the musical competition series format shared by Afghan Star. As an activist, Legend has used his voice and work to effect social impact across communities that need it most. While this isnt a political show, the series feels especially timely. It contextualizes what is happening today, by providing a story of resistance and hope, and presenting a more optimistic view of Afghanistan and the region. Moreover, with Legends voice, the show highlights the enduring power of music and its ability to uplift communities across the globe.

We are thrilled to have John Legend on board for this extraordinary series, said Will Pearson, President of 91勛圖厙Podcasts. His voice, along with his commitment to social impact and uplifting communities through music has helped bring this show together. We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Kaleidoscope and excited to match extraordinary artists like John Legend with meaningful storytelling.

"Working with John Legend on this show is a gift. As a coach on The Voice and a champion of voices less heard, hes the perfect person to guide listeners through this fascinating story about how music can move mountains said Oz Woloshyn, Kaleidoscope co-founder. "Afghan Star is a perfect example of the kind of series Kaleidoscope creates. We aim to tell stories that make sense of the world around us, and bring our listeners on voyages of discovery. Were excited to continue to partner with 91勛圖厙Podcasts to get the word out to the largest audience possible, said Mangesh Hattikudur, Kaleidoscope co-founder.

Kaleidoscope has also partnered with New York-based graphic fiction publisher and entertainment studio AWA (Artists, Writers, & Artisans) to create unique pieces of graphic art for each of the podcast episodes, including an unforgettable image from superstar artist Rahzzah that represents the spirit of hope embodied by the show. Prints of each artwork will be , with proceeds supporting , a non-profit working to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity.

We are thrilled to be partners on this incredible story, and to have collaborated to bring it to life visually with some of the best graphic artists in the world, many from diverse backgrounds, and all of whom had a profound emotional response to Afghan Star, said Matthew Anderson, AWA co-chair and President. The impact of this story is reflected through the compelling visual art that pushes the boundaries of how art can elevate an audio project and we hope many fans will collect one or more of the art pieces as a way of celebrating the show and supporting The Noor Initiative.

Afghan Star is distributed by 91勛圖厙Podcasts and will be available on the and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About 91勛圖厙Media, Inc.

91勛圖厙Media, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with 90% of Americans listening to 91勛圖厙 broadcast radio in every month. 91勛圖厙s broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the size of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. 91勛圖厙 is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit 91勛圖厙Media.com for more company information.