STROMBO

Toronto-born George “Strombo” Stroumboulopoulos firmly believes in standing up for what’s right and helping others—and sees music as a conduit that brings people together and helps them become more engaged. “I love politically charged, heavy music,” Strombo says. “I love when music uses its energy to fight for others and help its own audience to learn and grow.” As host of STROMBO on Apple Music Hits, Strombo brings over three decades of music knowledge and on-the-mic experience—whether working at a pirate radio station in the ’90s, discovering underground talent on MuchMusic’s The NewMusic in the early 2000s, holding down The Strombo Show on CBC Music, or, more recently, welcoming us into his House of Strombo for intimate live sessions with some of the world’s most storied performers. On his namesake Apple Music Hits show, he hopes to continue to bridge the gap between artist and listener. “One of the things the show leans into is making connections between the artist you know and love and the artists that they know and love,” he says. “[It’s] strong storytelling underscoring why this music matters.” Hear STROMBO every Monday through Friday at 6 pm LA/9 pm NYC/2am LDN, when he brings the best of alternative, indie and rock from the last three decades together with personal stories and artist interviews. Hometown: Toronto Earliest musical memory: “I remember being five years old and watching Alice Cooper perform on The Muppet Show and it becoming a turning point for me as a music fan.” Favorite band: The Clash. “They were about something bigger than themselves.” Hobbies: “Riding motorcycles, making movies, riding horses, petting dogs.” Favorite music video: Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” Charity work: Strombo is an ambassador for the World Food Program, a board member for Artists for Peace and Justice, and an ambassador for Prince's Charities Canada, and runs a scholarship for music therapy education. What inspires me most about music: “The right song in the right moment can completely change your day. That’s magic.”