When you put your coins behind Black storytelling, the possibilities are endless!
Following up on previous news shared by AfroTech, Audible continues its global multi-year, multi-project development, production, and audio licensing deal alongside comedian and actor Kevin Hart and renowned journalist and best-selling author Charlamagne Tha God.
“We are excited to introduce our listeners to the dynamic inaugural slate of content from our collaboration with Kevin Hart and Charlamagne Tha God’s SBH Productions,” said Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios, in an official press release shared with AfroTech. “Audible is dedicated to telling powerful stories and showcasing established and underrepresented voices in audio, and SBH’s first collection of projects will offer Audible listeners rich, multifaceted narratives.”
Inaugural Projects
With a newly formed audio production banner in place, SBH Productions will bring five new projects to the Audible audience this year.
First up from the collaboration between Kevin and Charlamagne include “Finding Tamika,” which hones in on the media’s lack of coverage when it comes to missing or murdered Black women. Tamika’s story is told through the lens of her family, other significant people, and even the slain woman beyond the grave via the true crime, neo-noir production.
Set to release in March, “Finding Tamika” is co-written, produced, and hosted by activist and beloved actress Erika Alexander.
A Peek Into The Future
Looking ahead, other projects include “Summer of ‘85” which tells the true story of real events, the Live Aid benefit for Africa and the MOVE bombing that occurred in the city of Philadelphia. In addition, scripted comedy “Short, Black, and Handsome”starring both Kevin and Charlamagne, and more will be on the way.
“SBH has the opportunity to be a driving force and new creative outlet for our culture,” said Kevin Hart. “This vertical allows us to bring the voices of our community mases and to share our rich stories that run deep in our souls. I am excited to partner with Charlamagne, Nicole and the whole SBH team to bring these rich stories to the Audible original space.”
Although the team will bring new projects to the audio streaming platform, the pair will also launch a selection of ongoing audio recommendations that they have personally curated. The goal is to celebrate titles from a plethora of diverse authors who have both impacted and inspired them.
“SBH and Audible are at the forefront of the audio renaissance, often times TV and film companies don’t SEE the vision for these great stories by black creatives so they are hard to get made,” said Charlamagne Tha God. “What Nicole, Kevin and myself along with the rest of team SBH have built is a space for these companies and the whole world to HEAR our vision. We thank GOD for it all!”
