Kool FM

Kool first broadcast on 28 November 1991 on the frequency of 94.5FM, from Clapton, North East London. Kool has stated that it was "the very first pirate station ever to play hardcore jungle".{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223200101/http://www.kool946fm.co.uk/articles/History/History.html|archivedate=23 February 2007|url=http://www.kool946fm.co.uk/articles/History/History.html|title=Kool FM - Streaming Live 24/7 - Kool FM History|work=Kool946fm.co.uk}} Simon Reynolds would call it "London's ruling pirate station" in an account of the beginnings of jungle in his book Energy Flash,Simon Reynolds: Energy Flash. Picador 1998, {{ISBN|0330350560}}, p.245. whilst in State of Bass, Martin James would consider it "The single most important pirate station in jungle".Martin James: State of Bass. Boxtree 1997, {{ISBN|0752223232}}, p.50.

By late 1992, Kool started to promote its own events, leading to the founding of Jungle Fever in August 1993. Jungle Fever nights have been held at venues such as the Astoria and The Edge.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jul/22/return-jungle-fever-old-new-raving-20th-anniversary|title=The return of Jungle Fever brings together the best in old and new raving |date=22 July 2016|work=The Guardian}}

In July 1993, its then-neighbouring station also broadcasting from the Nightingale Estate,{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/bold-frequency-exploring-the-legacy-of-pirate-radio-culture/|title=Bold Frequency: Exploring the Legacy of Pirate Radio Culture|date=10 November 2016|website=Vice}} Rush FM, was subject to a high profile raid by the authorities leading to media accusations of drug dealing at raves promoted by the two stations.{{cite web|url=https://hackneyhistory.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/rush-fm-raided-1993/ |title=Rush FM raided, 1993 - The Radical History of Hackney|website=Hackney History|date=21 January 2013}}

In April 1996, Kool was featured in a BBC First Sight documentary about pirate radio in London, in which its Kool Skool club night also appeared. In the same year, it branched out by launching a sister station, Kool FM Midlands based in Birmingham, which continued until 2002.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011225071529/http://www.kool-fm.co.uk/history.htm

|archivedate=25 December 2001|url=http://www.kool-fm.co.uk/history.htm|title=Kool FM midlands - history|work=Kool-fm.co.uk}}

In May 2007, Kool FM featured in a BBC London News report about pirate radio station interference to the emergency services and their use of the airwaves.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6617765.stm| title= Pirate radio 'risk to aircraft'|website=BBC News| date=2 May 2007}}

File:Koollondonsmall.png

In August 2010, Kool relaunched as Kool London, operating as an online radio station, providing a live audio stream, archived shows, and a popular chatroom. It continued to promote events at venues such as Mass, the Coronet, and Electric Brixton.{{Cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401045939/https://koollondon.com/index.php/kool-profiles/history|title=Kool London History|website=koollondon.com|language=en-gb|archivedate=1 April 2016|url=https://koollondon.com/index.php/kool-profiles/history}}

DJs and MCs to appear on Kool have included key figures in jungle and drum and bass music, including Brockie, Det, DJ Ron, MC Navigator, Bryan Gee, MC 5-O, Moose, Andy C, Mampi Swift, DJ Dextrous, Devious D, Ragga Twins, Flirt, Skibadee, Shabba D, Nicky Blackmarket, Tonic, Stevie Hyper D, and Crissy Criss.

Kool has been involved in two live broadcasts with the artist Eddie Peake. The first in 2013 as part of his graduate final year project at the Royal Academy of Arts, and again in 2018 at the White Cube forming part of his Concrete Pitch show.{{Cite web|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/24020-eddie-peake-kool-fm-white-cube |title= Features - Eddie Peake And Kool London At The White Cube |website= TheQuietus| date=11 February 2018}}

The station celebrated its 30th birthday on 28 November 2021, with an event at the Heaven club.

On 1 January 2023, original co-founder Eastman retired from running of the station.{{cite web|url=https://ra.co/news/78304|title=Founders of Kool London Radio, formerly historic pirate station Kool FM, step down after 31 years - News/RA|work=Resident Advisor|date=6 January 2023|author=Anu Shukla}}

It was announced on 30 January, that Rinse FM would be taking over management of the station and re-launching back as Kool FM and with a revised line-up.{{cite web|url=https://ra.co/news/78416|title=Rinse FM acquires Kool London Radio, plans to relaunch as Kool FM - News/RA|author=Anu Shukla|date=30 January 2023|work=Resident Advisor}}{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/read/rinse-acquires-iconic-london-pirate-radio-station-kool-london-radio-jungle-dnb-news|title=Rinse FM Acquires Pirate Radio Station Kool London|date=30 January 2023|work=MixMag}}{{cite web|url=https://djmag.com/news/rinse-fm-announces-acquisition-legendary-london-station-kool-fm|title=Rinse FM announces acquisition of legendary London station Kool FM|author=Brian Coney|date=30 January 2023|work=DJ Mag}}

Having announced details of the updated line-up, Kool returned on 23 April 2023 broadcasting on Rinse's FM and DAB frequencies, as well as a dedicated channel.{{cite web|url=https://ra.co/news/78874|title=London's Kool FM relaunches on Sunday, reveals artist roster - News/RA|work=Resident Advisor|author=Anu Shukla|date=21 April 2023}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://rinse.fm/channels/kool/ Official website]

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Category:Radio stations in London

Category:Pirate radio stations in the United Kingdom

Category:Internet radio stations in the United Kingdom

Category:Radio stations established in 1991

Category:Electronic dance music radio stations in the United Kingdom

Category:Jungle music