Black British artists bring music and mental health together in ground-breaking Channel 4 special The Whole Truth

6 October 2020

• The Whole Truth is produced to mark World Mental Health Day
• Musician, actor and founder of the mental health movement #IAMWHOLE, Jordan Stephens hosts a conversation with UK artists Che Lingo, Arlo Parks and Kojey Radical
• Music and discussion from the programming will feature on Channel 4, All4 and 4 Music
• The programme was filmed at the iconic Union Chapel in London
• Jordan Stephens: “This is about providing space for silenced communities.”
• The Whole Truth airs on Channel 4, Friday at 11:05pm

Channel 4 will mark World Mental Health Day with a special music programme featuring three of Britain’s most celebrated Black artists: Che Lingo, Arlo Parks and Kojey Radical.

The musicians will each perform one of their own tracks, open up to each other about their mental health and share some of the personal stories that have inspired them to speak their mind through music.

Musician Jordan Stephens, the founder of the mental health movement #IAMWHOLE, hosts the programme, featuring intimate performances and candid discussion with the artists. The programme will give a rare platform for the artists to talk openly about mental health, music and how they have navigated a year marked by pandemic, pain and protests.

Jordan Stephens comments: “Our intention is to shed light on mental health from the perspective of cultures not often centred in the conversation. This is not about shoving a load of Black faces into a TV spot during the one gracious month of blackness that our calendar so kindly offers, just to tick a diversity box. This is about providing space for silenced communities.”

This programming for on-air and online will be produced by Spirit Studios for Channel 4. Matt Campion is exec producer for Spirit Studios. The programme is ordered for Channel 4 by Sarah Lazenby, Head of Features & Formats.

Sarah Lazenby, Head of Features & Formats, Channel 4 comments: “2020 sucks. I defy anyone to have not felt unsettled by the last few months. Speaking up and listening to each other has never felt more essential. Jordan and Spirit Studios have been highlighting the importance of open conversation around mental wellbeing for the last four years through #IAMWHOLE, and for some time we have been discussing the right concept that could bring The Whole Truth alive on-screen. We're privileged to have made this ambition a reality with Che, Arlo and Kojey – three outstanding artists whose music and words are imbued with passion, pain and poignancy – to mark this unforgettable year.”

Matt Campion, Spirit Studios comments: “Our mission has always been to create content that resonates with young audiences and drives change. This show is a big step towards achieving that goal. The Whole Truth is a first of its kind, using music to empower and deliver a message, while tackling real life agendas.”

The programme was filmed at the iconic Union Chapel in London.

The Whole Truth will be aired on Channel 4 on Friday 9th October at 11:05pm and shown across 4Music and Channel 4’s online platforms this month.

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

About #IAMWHOLE
#IAMWHOLE is the award-winning global anti-stigma mental health campaign founded by Spirit Studios and Jordan Stephens in partnership with the NHS & YMCA in 2016. The campaign’s recent work includes Digital Detox Day alongside Zoe Sugg. The podcast series The Whole Truth features Jordan Stephens in conversation about mental health with guests including Greg James, Munroe Bergdorf, Professor Green and Zawe Ashton
www.whole.org.uk

About Spirit Studios
Spirit Studios is the new name for Spirit Media, founded by ex-Endemol execs Peter Cowley and Matt Campion.  Spirit Studios will embark on a refocussed mission combining its passion for producing inspirational entertainment content with its purpose to drive change in people’s lives, for the better.

Spirit Studios is made up of a range of studios that work together including original programmes for TV & digital platforms, a podcast network, digital & social content channels, branded content, and their mental health campaign #IAMWHOLE.

Original programmes include The Stand Up Sketch Show for ITV, Comedy Against Living Miserably for Dave, SHAMED: You Are What You Tweet & Instagrammification for BBC, and Trigger Happy for Channel4.
www.spirit-studios.com