The author of Outraged and Lead Cultural Curator, Black Music, UK at Apple Music talks about hitting the high notes and not having to choose. We discuss musical memories, career highlights, plus, the holiday destination that inspired her book, Outraged.
13 October, 2020
Ashley "Dotty" Charles is back on our radios with two stellar shows: The Dotty Show and The Agenda Radio. For the former, as Apple Music's Lead Cultural Curator, Black Music, UK, Dotty will be sharing a daily celebration of Black Music from the UK and around the world. Exploring the best in past, present and future Black music - from hip-hop to R&B to dancehall to drill, and everything in between - it's one show we're certain to be tuning in for on the regular.
Here, we discuss musical memories, early starts, authorship and career highlights to date, plus, the holiday destination that inspired her first (widely acclaimed) book, Outraged.
South London born and bred. It's an incredible marriage of different cultures down here, which instilled in me a huge amount of curiosity and intrigue. I'm fascinated by sights and sounds which is probably a result of growing up in areas like Brixton and Tooting which are so rich in culture.
My parents playing lovers rock on the record player in the living room. One of the first songs I learnt the words to was a song called Silly Games by Janet Kay.
I went to Tokyo, Japan to film a music series for the BBC. It's one of the most incredible places I've ever visited because it indulges all of your senses.
My wife and I spent our honeymoon on safari in Kenya which was unlike anything we'd ever experienced before. Hanging out with giraffes in Giraffe Manor and being up close with big cats in Samburu. It was unforgettable.
My wife would like me to but there is something about being in new places that inspires me and gives me my best ideas. I'm often typing them into my phone when we're on a beach - but I'm learning to switch off more.
Outraged was actually one of those ideas I came up with on holiday. We were on a family trip in Thailand and I ended up on Twitter watching the latest online dragging unfold. It sparked a curiosity in me about why we are so incessantly outraged on social media. I ended up taking a two-year deep-dive into human behaviour and moments of outrage to explore the ways in which we can be more effective in protest and resistance.
The cover is more a reflection of society than it is of me. It demonstrates how we lock ourselves away and shut things out when we become outraged, often allowing conflict to replace conversation.
The human experience and its complexity fascinates me. Whether it's why we behave in certain ways or why we fall in love with certain songs.
The brilliant thing about existing now is that we don't have to choose!
This position is a really exciting opportunity to help steer Apple Music's cultural output into the Black music space, be it events, playlists or incredible broadcasts. It's all about handling the culture with care and ensuring we are celebrating and reflecting it with appreciation and authenticity.
Apple Music 1 is the home of music curation and every day I will be celebrating the very best in Black music from the UK and around the world.
Always put the audience first!
I'm not sure that I ever mastered early mornings but my best bit of advice is pick your outfit the night before.
Don't emulate anything that already exists. Find your voice and stay true to it.
You have the same 24 hours in the day as Beyoncé, use it wisely.
Home!
Currently reading Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age.
Apple Music and Deliveroo!
The Receipts Podcast.
Anything by Ari Lennox or SZA and 7am by Raheaven.
Creating incredible content on Apple Music 1.
I'd love to take my family to Hawaii for an adventure as soon as we can.
Fit everything into hand luggage if you can. It's the most liberating way to travel.
GoPro, ESPA cleanser, ESPA Overnight Hydration Therapy, Burt's Bees lip balm, Palmer's Cocoa Butter and a silk durag.
Dotty is Lead Cultural Curator, Black Music, UK at Apple Music. Listen to The Dotty Show Monday-Thursday 3-5pm BST at apple.co/_Dotty and The Agenda Radio every Friday at 2-3pm BST at apple.co/_AgendaRadio.
