Reprezent Radio launches crowdfunder to continue operating
“There is now a very real risk that we will have to stop broadcasting,” the programme has shared
London’s Reprezent Radio has launched a crowdfunder to help it continue operating.
Citing a major funding crisis, the youth-led community radio station announced yesterday (7th February) that it needed help to survive 2024. The Brixton-based station has been levelling the playing field in the media and creative industries for over 10 years by providing young people from all backgrounds with their first opportunities in broadcasting, and has been a vital platform for aspiring DJs.
“The cost of delivering our work is now at an all-time high, while funding availability is at an all-time low,” Reprezent wrote on Instagram. “Government delays have set back our charity registration application, and there is now a very real risk that we will have to stop broadcasting.”
The donations will go toward funding the station's ten-week training programme, a direct-to-volunteering programme, on-air support for new presenters and development support for new artists, along with one-on-one mentorship for beneficiaries who are most in need. The campaign has reached £26,608 of its £50,000 target at the time of writing.
Reprezent Radio has showcased hundreds of emerging artists over the years, as well as launching the professional careers of Stormzy, Jamz Supernova, Munya Chawawa and many more. The station has shared that it is in the process of becoming a registered non-profit, which will allow for more private investors in the future.
“With your help, we can bridge this gap in funding and continue to do what we do best – creating life-changing opportunities for the voices of tomorrow.”
Visit their Crowdfunder campaign to donate.
Find out more information via Reprezent’s Instagram post below.
Back in 2022, Reprezent Radio was presented with the Outstanding Contribution award at DJ Mag's Best of British Awards. Watch a DJ Mag Originals mini-documentary about the station and its incredible work here.
DJ Mag teamed up with Reprezent Radio in 2021 to host a five hour takeover on New Year’s Eve, with mixes coming from Dublin’s Moving Still, London’s Hagan, Chicago’s DJ Manny, Brooklyn label Worst Behavior and Beijing’s Slowcook.
The following year, Reprezent Radio launched a new training programme, Create Next!, to help young people kickstart their career in media and entertainment.
Speaking on the situation, and its wider implications for the music industry, Matt Griffith, CEO of Youth Music, who part fund Reprezent, said: “The concerning truth of the matter is that REPREZENT’s is not an isolated case – there is a real crisis facing grassroots music. Like so many of the diverse projects we support, they are doing amazing work to bring emerging young creatives into industry jobs, creating a pipeline of talent so that we can enjoy a more inclusive and progressive music scene. It’s so sad to see the impact of funding cuts play out and it’s important that people are aware of the impact this will have. We wouldn’t accept this lack of grassroots investment in other areas such as sport, and so we mustn’t accept it in music.”
