Reprezent 107.3 FM is a youth-led radio station based in

Brixton Brixton is an area of South London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. Brixton experienced a rapid rise in population during the 19th century ...

South London South London is the southern part of Greater London, England, south of the River Thames. The region consists of the Districts of England, boroughs, in whole or in part, of London Borough of Bexley, Bexley, London Borough of Bromley, Bromley, Lon ...

that reaches young people aged between 18 and 30.

History

The station has its origin in a one-month

Restricted Service Licence A UK Restricted Service Licence (often called an RSL) is typically granted to radio stations and television stations broadcasting within the UK to serve a local community or a special event. Licences are granted by the broadcasting authority Ofcom ...

focusing on youth issues including gun and knife crime, which was a successful broadcast that enabled them to apply for a community radio licence. Reprezent was awarded a community licence in 2010, and from April 2011 has been broadcasting live across London. Playing R&B,

grime Grime may refer to: * Dirt, in the form of black, ingrained dust Music * Grime music, a genre of music * ''Grime'' (album), a 2001 album by Iniquity * "Grime", a 2023 song by Macklemore from ''Ben'' * "Grime", a 2024 song by Kittie from ''Fire ...

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

dance music Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole piece or part of a larger musical arrangement. In terms of performance, the major categories are live dance music and recorded dance musi ...

, and

alternative music Alternative music may refer to the following types of music: *Independent music *Alternative rock *Alternative pop *Alternative R&B *Neo soul, sometimes known as alternative soul *Alternative reggaeton *Alternative hip hop *Alternative dance *Alter ...

, it champions youth culture. Reprezent provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents but also to discuss social issues that affect them. It aims to challenge youth stereotypes and help young people better represent themselves in society. Their licence agreement says that:

The station will give young people in south London access to their own platform for discussing issues that matter to them, representing their views, and dispelling negative stereotypes; and feature music they like, and which is rarely played on mainstream services.

In 2016, Reprezent started broadcasting on DAB in London alongside their FM frequency. Reprezent broadcasts from three converted shipping containers in the Pop Brixton park.

Programming

As part of the station's community broadcasting remit, it is expected to provide social gain initiatives. Reprezent provides unique services to London's young population ranging from radio training and media training to providing a gateway for young musicians to develop their music and do live performances on air. Reprezent also work with Tate Britain, ICA and a range of music labels, PR agencies and management companies to provide a range of opportunities for young people. Reprezent also works with youth-centric brands such as Nike, Apple, Parklife, Lovebox, Nando's, Converse, Boiler Room, NFL, MLB and many more. In March 2017, Reprezent collaborated with The xx, Young Turks and XL Recordings to programme a week of radio that saw shows produced with artists ranging from Warpaint, Goldie and Novelist, to Kurupt FM, Jehnny Beth from Savages and J Hus. The station has over 100 presenters and radio shows, that broadcast all original content from 9am through until 3am, with the rest of the night being their user-curated playlist.

Music

Reprezent's playlist is managed entirely by its presenters and all music is playlisted solely on the strength of its quality. All presenters submit music that is then decided on by a panel of presenters and volunteers. Over the last few years, Reprezent's 'hothouse' approach to finding new talent has been instrumental in launching many successful careers. Past presenters include

Novelist A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living wage, living writing novels and other fiction, while other ...

Stormzy Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. (born 26 July 1993), known professionally as Stormzy, is an English-Ghanaian rapper, singer, and songwriter. In 2014, he gained attention on the UK underground music scene through his ''Wicked Skengman'' ...

Lady Leshurr Melesha Katrina O'Garro (born 15 December 1987), known professionally as Lady Leshurr (), is a British rapper, singer, songwriter and producer. She is known for her ''Queen's Speech'' series of freestyles, the fourth of which became popular i ...

, Remi Burgz, Henrie Kwushue, Jamz Supernova, Jeremiah Asiamah, Snoochie Shy,

Kenny Allstar Kenny Enahoro, known professionally as Kenny Allstar (born 19 April 1993), is a British DJ and radio presenter who is the host of the BBC Radio 1Xtra Rap Show on Friday nights. He also hosts a ''Mad About Bars'' series on Mixtape Madness on YouT ...

and many more. The recent 'Grime n Reason' album released through Sony ATV saw Reprezent bring 14 emerging artists together and produce a collection of music specifically for licensing to TV and Film - the first time a project like this has been undertaken for sync. With a remit to provide a platform for young people in south London, Reprezent playlists UK artists only and regularly uncovers new music that then goes on to become critically acclaimed by other platforms. From the BBC Sound of 2017, seven of the acts were uncovered by Reprezent, including

Ray BLK Rita Ekwere (born 2 August 1994), better known under her stage name of Ray BLK (pronounced "Ray Black"), is a British singer and songwriter who was born in Nigeria, and grew up in Catford in London. She won the BBC's Sound of 2017, and was the ...

Nadia Rose Nadia Rose (born 11 June 1993) is a British rapper and songwriter from Croydon, London. Education Rose studied Music and Music Management at university. Career Rose released her debut EP ''Highly Flammable'' on 13 January 2017 following the su ...

and

Jorja Smith Jorja Alice Smith (born 11 June 1997) is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Walsall, West Midlands, she has been writing songs since the age of 11. In 2012, Smith's friend uploaded her cover of Labrinth's "Earthquake" to YouT ...

. This focus on south London's vibrant music scene has undoubtedly helped raise the profile of a wide range of artists.

References

External links

Reprezent website
{{Children's channels in UK & Ireland Radio stations in London Community radio stations in the United Kingdom Children's radio stations in the United Kingdom