BBC Radio 1Xtra have unveiled plans for 1Xtra Summer 2020, an ambitious nine week project celebrating a summer rich in Black music and culture.

1Xtra Summer 2020 will run from 3 July - 31 August, soundtracking the nation’s summer by bringing new live performances, artist takeovers and DJ playlists to 1Xtra with every weekend in July dedicated to a different theme: Hip Hop, Classic Clashes, Back to the Islands and Africa.

Across the Hip Hop weekend, listeners can expect a summer block party with hip hop classics and freestyles, while the Classic Clashes weekend will be dedicated to some of the best and most iconic clash moments from over the years. Back to the Islands will bring all the vibes of the holiday islands from Ibiza to Malia, while All the Feels of Africa will be celebrating African music and culture with takeovers, live performances and the biggest DJs.

This will lead to a month long celebration in August championing the sounds, vibes and culture of Carnival across the UK and beyond, with all roads leading to the August Bank Holiday when Notting Hill Carnival traditionally takes place.

Yasmin Evans says: “There are many things we should be doing right now, one of them is making sure we are finding time to enjoy moments of joy; whatever it may be. If you are finding it difficult to do so right now, join us in celebrating with good music and good vibes during 1Xtra Summer. Allow us to still be able to find the things that make us feel good this summer even if it's not what you had planned!”

DJ Target says: “1Xtra Summer 2020 feels more special and more necessary than ever before. We've really tried to be that uplifting energy for our audience in these challenging times, and this year we are going BIGGER with our summer content. From Festival moments and themed weekends right through to Carnival Vibes, we have some super exciting plans, and can’t wait to share them with everybody.”

Janine Kempadoo, Commissioning Executive at 1Xtra, says: “Summer this year is probably going to feel slightly different than most, which is why this year we have made 1Xtra Summer 2020 bigger than ever before. It feels so necessary at the moment to bring our listeners together for the ultimate summer party feel, with good vibes and even better music.”

1Xtra Summer launched for the first time in 2019 as the station set out on tour to festivals around the UK and Ibiza, before taking part in the parade at Notting Hill Carnival.

1Xtra Summer 2020 schedule

3-5 July
All the feels of Hip Hopv

10-12 July
All the feels of Classic Clashes

17-19 July
All the feels of Back to the Islands

24-26 July
All the feels of Africav

1-31 August
All the feels of Carnival