Bell Media has announced the launch of Much Rewind on YouTube, serving as the official repository of archived celebrity interviews from MuchMusic. The collection currently features interviews with Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott, Eminem, and Aaliyah, with plans to expand the content weekly. Dave Krikst, the head of MuchMusic, expressed excitement about the growing archive, which aims to showcase iconic moments from pop culture.
Over the years, fans have urged the media owner to tap into its extensive library of 45,000 archival tapes, which had previously been underutilized since MuchMusic shifted away from music programming. The new YouTube channel offers digitized footage that enhances the viewing experience compared to the original broadcasts.
While the inclusion of musical performances in the archive remains uncertain due to copyright concerns, discussions are ongoing with Universal Music Canada to potentially feature live performances by artists who graced the MuchMusic studio in Toronto. For now, the focus is on candid sit-down interviews, providing viewers with a glimpse into the unfiltered conversations that took place with ’90s and ’00s music icons.
The curated content includes discussions with notable figures like Aaliyah, where she talks about working with R. Kelly, and Noel Gallagher of Oasis sharing his candid opinions on fellow musicians. Additionally, there are unexpected gems such as Gwen Stefani’s interview surrounded by her Harajuku Girls during the launch of her debut album.
Looking ahead, Much Rewind aims to evolve into a comprehensive source of historic moments, with plans to engage viewers through shorter clips on Instagram and TikTok. Krikst envisions the archive as a bridge between the past and present MuchMusic, offering a nostalgic yet relevant viewing experience for a wider audience.