1982: JAMAICAN PATOIS on UK PIRATE RADIO | Oxford Road Show | 1980s | BBC Archive

Credited as Britain's first dedicated black radio station, Dread Broadcasting Corporation (also known as Rebel Radio) was founded by DJ Lepke and transmitted its first programme in 1981.

DJ Lepke: "Something like this would allow blacks to represent themselves, to actually be heard."

As a pirate radio station, DBC had been recently forced off the air, although its DJs planned to defy the law and return it to the airwaves.

"Until recently it [DBC] bombarded the capital every Sunday afternoon with a wide variety of black music, from reggae and soul to calypso and soca."

"Their long-term aim is to be a legal broadcasting service, covering black cultural issues, news, information and music. And they also hope to pave the way for other grassroots stations around the country."

"They're critical of the existing black radio programmes, which they say waters down black culture."


This clip was taken from Oxford Road Show, a music magazine programme.

Contributors include DJ Lepke and Ranking Miss P.


Originally broadcast 22 January, 1982.





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