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Media
Rinse gets FM licence
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 18 June 2010
London-based pirate radio station Rinse FM is going legit, which is exciting, it’s ages since a former pirate has been handed a proper licence. Let’s hope they can “keep it real” now they are legal.
Rinse FM was founded way back in 1994, and is unusual in the pirate radio space for staying the distance. Focusing on the underground UK urban genres that are now beginning to dominate the singles charts, Rinse have been early champions of a string of urban acts over the years, while numerous DJs have built their profile by having guest spots on the station.
The Rinse team began their bid to go legit in 2006, and those efforts came good yesterday. The FM licence from OfCom means Rinse will be able to legally broadcast in London from later this year.
The press release issued by the station to confirm their FM licence yesterday included two pages of testimonials from artists and industry types.
UK Music top man Feargal Sharkey is quoted as follows: “I am hugely impressed with Rinse FM and their groundbreaking work in support of new artists, many of whom are now household names. With a community licence in place, we believe the station can take that role forward – engaging with a young, dynamic audience and nurturing the next generation of inner city talent on which our industry and nation is so dependent”.
Meanwhile Dizzee Rascal, who used to DJ on the station, says: “Rinse FM was inspirational and influential to my journey. Listening to my peers on the radio when I was growing up helped give me a drive, focus and subsequently an outlet for my music when otherwise there would have been none”.
