Rinse FM, one of the leading dance music radio stations in London, has acquired Kool London Radio, an iconic pirate radio station that was the definitive home of jungle and drum’n’bass in the 90s. Founded in 1991, Kool broadcast from East London rooftops, and featured a number of influential artists in drum’n’bass, hardcore, and jungle over its years. Rinse will also take over the radio’s long-running party series, Jungle Fever.
Kool has been off-air since the start of the new year, and Rinse will officially relaunch the station under its original name, Kool FM. A new roster of DJs and MCs is expected to be announced.
On new Years Eve, Kool FM original owners Eastman and Suzy announced they would be passing ownership of the station on. In a statement posted to Kool’s website, Eastman wrote:
“It is with great regret and deep sadness but hopefully the right move for the future and longevity of Kool, Suzy and myself have come to the decision to retire from radio and pass the ownership and running of Kool on. Myself personally, I feel that at 64 years old, I can’t contribute to Kool, Jungle and DnB the way I have in the past, keeping up with all the new talent, going to events and being involved as I was.”
See a statement from Rinse FM founder Geeneus below.
