Kool FM
Broadcast areaLondon
Frequency94.5 / 94.6 FM (as a Pirate)
9A (London DAB)
Programming
FormatJungle, drum and bass, old skool rave
History
First air date
28 November 1991
Links
Websitehttps://rinse.fm/channels/kool/

Kool FM, also known as Kool London, is a former London pirate radio station that now broadcasts on DAB and online, playing jungle, drum and bass, and old skool. Kool is generally regarded as being instrumental in the development of the jungle music scene.[1]

History

Kool first broadcast on 28 November 1991 on the frequency of 94.5FM, from Hackney, East London. Kool has stated that it was "the very first pirate station ever to play hardcore jungle".[2] Simon Reynolds would call it "London's ruling pirate station" in an account of the beginnings of jungle in his book Energy Flash,[3] whilst in State of Bass, Martin James would consider it "The single most important pirate station in jungle".[4]

By late 1992, Kool started to promote its own events, leading to the founding of Jungle Fever in August 1993. Jungle Fever nights have been held at venues such as the Astoria and The Edge.[1][5]

In July 1993, its then-neighbouring station also broadcasting from the Nightingale Estate,[6] Rush FM, was subject to a high profile raid by the authorities leading to media accusations of drug dealing at raves promoted by the two stations.[1][7]

In April 1996, Kool was featured in a BBC First Sight documentary about pirate radio in London, in which its Kool Skool club night also appeared.[7] In the same year, it branched out by launching a sister station, Kool FM Midlands based in Birmingham, which continued until 2002.[8]

In May 2007, Kool FM featured in a BBC London News report about pirate radio station interference to the emergency services and their use of the airwaves.[9]

Kool London and online radio

Kool London logo 2010–2022

In August 2010, Kool relaunched as Kool London, operating as an online radio station, providing a live audio stream, archived shows, and a popular chatroom. It continued to promote events at venues such as Mass, the Coronet, and Electric Brixton.[10]

Legacy

DJs and MCs to appear on Kool have included key figures in jungle and drum and bass music, including Brockie, Det, DJ Ron, MC Navigator, Bryan Gee, MC 5-O, Moose, Andy C, Mampi Swift, DJ Dextrous, Devious D, Ragga Twins, Flirt, Skibadee, Shabba D, Nicky Blackmarket, Tonic, Stevie Hyper D, and Crissy Criss.

Kool has been involved in two live broadcasts with the artist Eddie Peake. The first in 2013 as part of his graduate final year project at the Royal Academy of Arts, and again in 2018 at the White Cube forming part of his Concrete Pitch show.[11]

The station celebrated its 30th birthday on 28 November 2021, with an event at the Heaven club.

Rinse FM management and return to Kool FM

On 1 January 2023, original co-founder Eastman retired from running of the station.[12]

It was announced on 30 January, that Rinse FM would be taking over management of the station and re-launching back as Kool FM and with a revised line-up.[13][14]

Having announced details of the updated line-up, Kool returned on 23 April 2023 broadcasting on Rinse's FM and DAB frequencies, as well as a dedicated channel.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jamie Clifton (6 August 2015). "Jungle, Raves and Pirate Radio: The History and Future of Kool FM". Vice.
  2. ↑ "Kool FM - Streaming Live 24/7 - Kool FM History". Kool946fm.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007.
  3. ↑ Simon Reynolds: Energy Flash. Picador 1998, ISBN 0330350560, p.245.
  4. ↑ Martin James: State of Bass. Boxtree 1997, ISBN 0752223232, p.50.
  5. ↑ "The return of Jungle Fever brings together the best in old and new raving". The Guardian. 22 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Bold Frequency: Exploring the Legacy of Pirate Radio Culture". Vice. 10 November 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Rush FM raided, 1993 - The Radical History of Hackney". Hackney History. 21 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "Kool FM midlands - history". Kool-fm.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 December 2001.
  9. ↑ "Pirate radio 'risk to aircraft'". BBC News. 2 May 2007.
  10. ↑ "Kool London History". koollondon.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Features - Eddie Peake And Kool London At The White Cube". TheQuietus. 11 February 2018.
  12. ↑ Anu Shukla (6 January 2023). "Founders of Kool London Radio, formerly historic pirate station Kool FM, step down after 31 years - News/RA". Resident Advisor.
  13. ↑ Anu Shukla (30 January 2023). "Rinse FM acquires Kool London Radio, plans to relaunch as Kool FM - News/RA". Resident Advisor.
  14. ↑ "Rinse FM Acquires Pirate Radio Station Kool London". MixMag. 30 January 2023.
  15. ↑ Anu Shukla (21 April 2023). "London's Kool FM relaunches on Sunday, reveals artist roster - News/RA". Resident Advisor.
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