ATLANTA, Georgia — Joshua “J1” Raiford currently the Director of Hip Hop at Pandora, has been named the Program Director for SiriusXM Pandora Now.
“I’m blessed and grateful for this opportunity” acknowledged Raiford. “My career started in terrestrial radio, so I’ll always have a love and passion for it.” Once I made the choice to go to Pandora, it was about me desirous to find out about streaming, the way it labored, and the variations and similarities between it and radio. Now I’ve the prospect to program on either side on the identical time. Very grateful to SiriusXM Pandora for trusting me with this large accountability. ”
On this new position Director of Hip Hop at Pandora and Program Director for SiriusXM Pandora Now Raiford might be answerable for all hip hop streaming, programming and playlisting on Pandora in addition to overseeing the programming and imaging of the station.
Raiford graduated from Morehouse with a BA in Enterprise, Advertising and marketing, Administration, and Associated Assist Providers. He then went on to acquire his Masters in Advertising and marketing and an MBA from Georgia State College. Raiford started his profession with City One the place he began as a Programming Assistant / On-Air Expertise with WHTA Sizzling 107.9. He then moved on to grow to be Program Director in Indianapolis and Washington DC earlier than returning again to Atlanta, Georgia to start his journey with Pandora.
In his quick tenure with Pandora J1 modified the city panorama by creating new and unique content material sequence akin to “The SiriusXM Pandora Playback,” “New Music Friday Top 3” and “The Connect 4 Convo.” He additionally created one of many greatest stations / playlists for Hip Hop and R&B “Top Shelf,” which has over 5 million listeners. In July 2020, J1 efficiently helped program and launch “Uninterrupted Radio” on Pandora in partnership with LeBron James and Maverick Carter.
