Oroko Radio is LIVE and we're joining the Community!
2022 just got super exciting! We’re extremely pleased to announce that we’re taking DSTNGR to the online radio airwaves, as we launch our new bi-monthly show on Oroko Radio. Hosted by DSTNGR founder and editor-in-chief, Sabrina-Anne Sarpong, every eight weeks we’ll be bringing the website to life, sharing our favourite music discoveries and emerging acts from all over the globe. Expect to hear much more of what you read and see currently across the website, along with guest interviews, exclusive mixes and an array of sounds both old and new. Whether we take you down memory lane with an old skool UK Garage set, a hype and energetic Amapiano session or we simply expand your musical inclinations into more alternative R&B and Hip Hop soundscapes, our aim is to deliver a show that many will love and enjoy.
Oroko is a newly launched black-owned, independent and not-for-profit online radio station based in Accra, Ghana. The station’s aim is to connect, inspire and empower individuals globally through conversation, collaboration and community. Founded by industry professionals whose creativity led them to becoming good friends - Truseye, Kikelomo, Nico Adomako and Naëmi Ada, Oroko Radio was created to give space for African and diasporic voices to be recognised and heard, through their own words and personal displays of culture and heritage. “Radio plays a key role in music innovation throughout history,” shares London born co-founder and DJ Kikelomo. “Genres like hip hop, grime, garage, drill and many more would not exist without it. Radio provides another medium for independent artists to grow, without the nepotism or money typically needed to access major labels.”
The platform aims to reclaim and recenter narratives from the African and Diasporic artistic communities, with a particular focus on local perspectives in Accra, in addition to cultivating and nurturing relationships with like-minded projects across the globe. Oroko Radio will shine a spotlight on alternative sounds and thoughts coming from, and influenced by the African continent. “Throughout the history of the continent, music has always been a tool to communicate,” explains Berlin based co-founder Nico Adomako. “This is what Oroko wants to build upon. We are aiming to set up a platform that amplifies and connects independent artists from all over Africa and the diaspora, a platform from which we can share our stories, visions, and experiences to tackle the issues we care about.”
Oroko introduces an exceptional array of resident hosts both locally and globally. Ghanaian DJ’s who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past - DJs GH BOI, Temple XTD, indie folk artist Tommy WÁ and soul singer Ria Boss to the likes of indie collective SuperJazzClub with their ‘radio jazz’ show. Representing London alongside us are the likes of British-Ghanaian DJ/Producers Hagan, Karen Nyame KG and creative collective Crudo Volta, known for showcasing contemporary musical scenes and emerging conversations from the African diaspora.
The announcement for the first wave of resident DJ’s took place this week, followed by the launch of the station yesterday evening. Kicking off proceedings was SPCGHST with their Alternative Spaces show, followed by an absolutely brilliant and intensifying club mix by Muud Swingz for their Radio Muud show. With 70 residents (over 50% of which are based in Ghana), representing four continents, 15 countries and speaking 15 languages - Oroko Radio will showcase an array of formats from exchanges around building sustainable creative communities to celebrating black music worldwide. This is an exciting time for Ghana, for black creatives and we’re happy and privileged to be a part of this incredible movement.
Our first show airs on Friday 25 February, 7pm - 8pm. Visit oroko.live to tune in and check out the full roster of residents and their upcoming shows.