My love of Pirate Radio

I discovered pirate radio when I was 14 in 1988. I used to listen to Fantasy, Chillin, and Pulse, and then in 1992, I discovered Kool FM.

Kool first aired on 28th November 1991 on 94.5FM from Hackney, London.

There was something about Kool that felt different; it was more organised and professional. This is why they stayed at the top of jungle drum n bass pirate radio for all these years. I quickly became hooked on recording the shows, as they were happening live, and I knew I had to capture them. Back then, I had no idea how big Kool would become or how many thousands of recordings I would end up with.

Kool FM is London's longest-running Jungle Drum and Bass radio station and a winner of multiple awards.  

“Setting the standard for others to follow” - “The Information Centre”

Kool FM first aired on November 28, 1991, on 94.5FM, broadcasting its signal across London and nearby counties. Founded by Eastman and Smurf, they were pioneers of the Jungle Drum and Bass sound and played a pivotal role in the evolution of jungle and drum and bass music. 

They played a cat-and-mouse game with the DTI, always staying one step ahead and continuously broadcasting since 1991.  

In 1996, Kool FM launched a Midlands branch, featuring artists from the area and broadcasting on 105.6FM / 92.4FM until 2002.

In August 2010, Kool FM rebranded as Kool London, becoming an internet radio station and maintaining its position as the No.1 station. Being internet-based, they created the renowned Chatroom, where hundreds logged in to chat in real time with DJs and MCs. 

After 31 years, Eastman and Suzy G stepped down, and in 2023, Rinse FM acquired the station, rebranding it back to Kool FM.  

Shout out to all the people I've met over the years, especially Kelly from Harlow, who became my wife.

Over the years, Kool has been a who's who of the scene, featuring artists like Brockie & Det, Ron & SL, Pressure X, Younghead, Trace, Bryan G, Nicky Blackmarket & Stevie Hyper D, Ash, Tonic, Flirt, Marly Marl, Trace & Rhymetyme, Dextrous & Rudeboy Keith, Crazy Legs, Probe, Pugwash, Magic & A-One, Phaze 3, Easy D, Ice, Feel Free, Kutlas, Baby Face Ragga, Rebel B, Devious D, DJ Kid, Nicky Slim Ting, Jinx, Footloose, Protocol, Friction, Wildchild, Dark Angel, Frenzic, Sub, Red Five, Papa G & Go-Getters, Rodney T, Modified Motion, Ian D, Ital, Cool Hand Flex, Uncle Dugs, Chef & Bud, Rieo Sky, Mampi Swift, Ruffstuff, Profile, Pleasure & Origin, Buz, Trend, Logan D, Crissy Criss, Remarc, Krucial, Pacso, Wagner, Tantrum Desire, Liondub (NYC), DJ Kane, I-Candy, Elegance, Verb, Jack-Knife, Virus, Future Thinkin, Dezert Rat, Rusher & Fox, Staf, Outlaw, Diamond, Chase, Jamie G, Smokesta, Spice, Jungle Ambassadors, Uno & Mello-D, Law, Thunda Banton, Uniques, Hoodlum, Ego Trippin, Congo Natty. 

MCs like Skibadee, Det, Foxy, Fun, Bluesy G, Eksman, Herbzie, Riddla, Evil B, Shabba, Shockin, Stormin, Harry Shotta, Shaydee, Teka, Rema-Dee, Co-Gee, Ragga Twins, Goldchain, Stingray, Piper, Times Two, Moose, Strings, Freddie Supreme, Navigator, Five O, PSG, IC3, Fearless, Fatman D, Maxwell D, Dreps, Krazy-B, TT Ace, Blacka, Illmatika, Cowboy, Mekar, Phantom, Yush, Bobo Dan

(Apologies to those I missed; there are literally hundreds)

Too many guest shows to remember, but notable ones include Rap, Andy C, TC Izlam (NYC), Cleveland Watkiss, Dizzie Rascal, Ellis Dee, Shy FX, Zinc, Shinsano (Japan), Remedy (Canada), Juiceman, Nutcracker, Bassman, Marky (Brazil), Storm & Rage, Patife & Fats, Kenny Ken, Daddy Freddy, Top Cat, Tenor Fly, Demolition Man, Doc Scott, SPMC

RIP to Kool’s fallen soldiers: Baby Face Ragga, Bobo Dan, MC Sterling, Stevie Hyper, Dark Angel, Skibadee, Stormin, Trend, Fats, Ian D, Tenor Fly, Lady Diamond, Yush, and listeners Wolves, Lana, Daddy Dread

Enjoy the shows, Trevor 7oaks