Apple Music has hired one of BBC radio’s key editorial music executives in the UK, MBW understands.

Ryan Newman (pictured with Kanye West) was previously Editor of 1Xtra – the BBC’s flagship hip-hop and grime radio station.

In that role, he devised and implemented music strategy at the network, shaping its musical direction.

Now, he joins Apple Music/Beats 1 at a time when hip-hop’s stock is at an all-time high amongst the streaming services.

Newman is not the first 1Xtra heavyweight to make the jump to a streaming service.

In 2016, 1Xtra music chief Austin Daboh became Spotify’s Senior Editor, Content Programming UK.Music Business Worldwide