Ghana’s DJ Quarps Hansen premieres Afrobeats show on London radio

Croydon 97.8 FM, a nonprofit community station, broadcasts from Croydon town centre, featuring live shows, news bulletins and youth training programmes in radio production. The station is a recipient of the Business in the Community accolade at the Mayor of Croydon Civic Awards.

The programme, dubbed Afrobeats on Cue, airs Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm. The broadcaster told Music In Africa that it will be a “celebration of African music and culture”, adding that it will showcase the best sounds from artists across Africa and of African descent, encompassing genres like Afrobeat and Afrobeats, alté, amapiano, bongo flava, highlife, kwaito, Afro-dancehall, Afro-house and rap, all of which were introduced by the Recording Academy last year as part of a new African music category ahead of the 66th Grammys. The inaugural Best African Music Performance award was won by South Africa’s Tyla in February.

Born Nii Quarcoopome Hansen-Sackey, Quarps brings about a decade of experience as an open-format DJ to his new role, having honed his skills at Accra-based urban radio station Y 107.9 FM, where he served as a disc jockey and producer, rising to the post of head of music by 2019. He has performed at prestigious events such as the Afrochella Festival (now AfroFuture) and Taste of Ghana, as well as private parties and boat parties in London.

“The choice to work with Croydon FM is particularly significant because of the privilege to showcase the diversity of African culture through music,” Quarps said. “Croydon also fits the part perfectly because it is London’s borough of culture and a melting pot of diversity. I look forward to playing my part in showcasing African music to the rest of the world.”

London is widely acknowledged as a vital centre for African pop music, particularly Afrobeats, contributing significantly to the genre’s global recognition and expansion. The city is also celebrated for its hosting of large-scale Afrobeats concerts featuring stars such as Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid and Asake, as well as the development of new and niche genres. 

Speaking to Music in Africa in 2017, at the onset of the global rise of Afrobeats, Nigerian artist Mr Eazi highlighted London as one of the initial locations where his music gained traction following his success in Ghanaian universities. London has played a crucial role as a key audience and a significant third base among the cities where he has established himself.

Echoing this sentiment, Quarps said: “London has played a major role in the rise of Afrobeats and African music in general. The city embraced the sounds from Africa before many other cities did. I will say London catapulted Afrobeats to the world stage.”