Stacked up high in three colourfully painted shipping containers on Brixton Station Road is the home of Reprezent Radio – the independent music station that calls itself “the voice of young London”.
In this tight space, a team of young volunteers work together to broadcast the experimental and dizzying sounds of London’s underground music scene across the capital and beyond.
This youth-led, community radio station has made its mark on London’s sound waves since gaining its FM licence in 2011. Originally founded in 2003 as an after-school project in Peckham, the station has fought for its survival and grown into a thriving community of young presenters, producers and music creators.
Now, it might have to continue its fight once again as its home, Pop Brixton, faces demolition.
“Reprezent is the beginning of it all,” says Jay McGregor, also known as Lady Jay, the host of the drive-time show on Tuesday evening.
The 24-year-old has worked at Reprezent for six years. Starting as a production assistant, she worked her way up to a presenter role, her own show and now success at mainstream stations, such as BBC1 Xtra and Kiss FM.
“It’s run by young people, for young people,” Jay says. “Reprezent’s a place where people come to start their careers, hone their skills, have fun and be allowed to be free with their content.”
“It’s the sound of young London”
New voices
The station stays at the forefront of London’s underground scene as the songs on Reprezent’s playlists are chosen by the presenters, DJs and teams themselves. They often give artists their first radio plays or appearances, including Stormzy who made his radio debut on Reprezent in 2014.
“We submit the music we are feeling, that is fresh to our inbox, that we have discovered, or our friends are making,” says Jay. “It’s the sound of young London and that’s what we want to bring forth,” she adds.
Yet, Reprezent’s music also takes inspiration from its location. Their playlists experiment with new sounds of R&B, house and grime, but there are also strong nods to the Afro-Caribbean influences of Brixton.
“It represents London as a whole, but we amplify Afro-Caribbean music. Our playlists feature undiscovered, underground talent from the local community,” says Ny Smith, also known as NYS WRLD, whose show is on Monday mornings.
What the station means for the local community is “togetherness,” says Ny, “all the different styles of music we play, it brings people from all different backgrounds and all different walks of life together.”
Giving back to its space
It is fitting that Reprezent has found its home at Pop Brixton – the start-up community and hub for independent enterprises. Each tenant of the venue must support the local community through apprenticeships and charity work.
Reprezent focuses on its social responsibility by providing media training and mentoring for young people who might otherwise not receive it, particularly prioritising those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The forward-thinking station hopes to break down barriers for people hoping to enter the radio industry and diversify the broadcasting space.
Its community work also stretches to local schools, where they broadcast an interactive show aimed at teenagers and raise awareness for mental health resources and support.
The future, however, looks increasingly uncertain as Pop Brixton’s lease from the council expires in November 2022 and has yet to be renewed.
The council-owned land it is built upon is labelled ‘meanwhile use’ – referring to the short-term use of temporarily empty spaces – and is, sooner or later, destined to become residential housing and retail space. The latest report on the future of the site is vague, with possible suggestions for relocation.
The council has declined to comment on their plans for the site.
ON AIR
Losing the station, with its cult-following and the 400 to 500 under 25s who come in and out of its doors each year, would be devastating for not only those involved but the wider community too.
“I don’t know where I’d be without Reprezent,” says Jay, “and there are still so many young people coming through that might not be in education or training. This is the only chance they get to explore their craft.”
Its home might move, but this station has battled to stay on air through funding crises and successive lockdowns when music was broadcast from the presenter’s bedrooms across the capital.
Reprezent Radio won’t be signing off any time soon.