BET’s “Video Soul,” the flagship series for the Black cable channel during the 1980s and 1990s, is getting a reboot for BET’s streaming channel with one of the original hosts, Donnie Simpson.
More than 25 years after he hosted his last “Video Soul,” Simpson will lead six new episodes for BET+, the streamer announced Thursday. The legendary VJ and Washington D.C. radio icon will do for the series what he did back in the day, interview today’s hottest R&B and hip hop stars.
“Video Soul” had several hosts during its initial run from 1981 to 1996, when Black artists had difficulty getting airplay on MTV. After recently airing on Tubi, the revamped “Donnie Simpson’s Video Soul” will switch to BET+.
HE GAVE US A VOICE WHEN THEY GAVE US RADIO SILENCE. THE LEGENDARY @DONNIESIMPSON RETURNS WITH SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS ON WITH DONNIE SIMPSON’S VIDEO SOUL, STREAMING JUNE 1ST ON BET+. PIC.TWITTER.COM/0P27SQPEJK
— BET+ (@BETPLUS) MAY 18, 2023
In the promo, Simpson is shown sitting down with music artists including Syleena Johnson, Yung Joc, Ronnie and Shamari DeVoe, Keith Sweat, CeCe Winans, Michelle Williams, K-Ci of Jodeci and Boyz II Men, among others.
“If not for Mr. Simpson, Boyz II Men would not be,” says group member Shawn Stockman in the clip.
Donnie Simpson’s “Video Soul” begins streaming June 1 on BET+.