Ghana: Oroko Radio to launch in December

The independent, not-for-profit station was co-founded by a group of industry professionals and artists with roots in Ghana, Nigeria, Germany and UK namely Truseye, Kikelomo, Nico Adomako and Naëmi Ada. They started the project as a remedy to their observation of limited structures for collaboration among artists, particularly youth-led forums for collective conversation.

The station says it is looking to provide a platform for African and diasporic creative communities, connecting and empowering local and international artists through important conversation and collaboration. It will amplify emerging talent outside of the mainstream, develop a community to enrich the global cultural landscape and relationships with like-minded projects around the globe. 

“Radio plays a key role in music innovation throughout history genres like hip hop, grime, garage, drill and many more would not exist without it,’ disc jockey and co-founder Kikelomo said. “Radio provides another medium for independent artists to grow, without the nepotism or money typically needed to access major labels.”

“Throughout the history of the continent, music has always been a tool to communicate,” co-founder Nico Adomako said. “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.” 

For the launch, the station will host a series of panels, pop-ups and events, as well as DJ workshops for minority communities. Residents include rapper and activist Wanlov, indie collective SuperJazzClub, DJ and producer TMSKD DJ and Los Angeles-based Blaq Pages. The others are Nigeria’s DJ Sensei Lo and Afro-folk artist Tommy WÁ.

The organisers said that they will announce an open call for new residents from across the continent and global diasporic communities. Oroko is also seeking funding to secure a permanent community space to base themselves from 2022, which will also host an artist residency programme as well as a music production/DJ studio. The station is a previous recipient of the Creativity Pioneers Support Fund from The Moleskine Foundation.