After 31 years of running the iconic Kool FM, Eastman & his partner Suzy G have decided to hand the reigns over and step away from the radio station he launched back in 1991.
Under his watch Kool FM pioneered the sound of London’s underground, paving the way for stations such as Rinse & kick starting the careers of many of your favourite artists.
Kool FM History
Broadcasting on 94.5FM from the tower blocks of East London, Kool FM was a driving force in the early days of jungle / drum and bass music.
Their roster of DJ’s and MC’s in the hay day of jungle all became legends in the game. Mampi Swift, Brockie, Det, Shy FX, Skibadee, Shabba D, DJ Ron, Bryan Gee, Funky Flirt, DJ Probe, Navigator, Logan D, Crissy Criss & The Ragga Twins could all be heard regularly.
Super Sundays on ‘Kool with a K’ was essential listening for all junglists in the 90’s.
The success of Kool FM spread to them hosting their own events, with their Jungle Fever dances regularly selling out renowned London venues such as The Astoria, Coronet, Ministry Of Sound & Electric Brixton!
Ever moving with the times, the turn of the millennium in the year 2000 saw Kool FM go online, rebranding as Kool London & growing from its London centric FM transmission reach to a global audience.
In 2013 Kool was invited to broadcast live from the esteemed Royal Academy of Arts in Londons West End.
Great Regret & Deep Sadness
In a post shared on the Kool London social media, Eastman stated:
It is great regret & deep sadness but hopefully the right move for the future and longevity of “KOOL”
Suzy & myself have come to the decision to retire from Radio & pass the ownership and Running of Kool on, we are not just walking away from Kool out right, we will be kept on working with the new owners for a minimum of 5 years in the background with no say in the everyday running of Kool or the Dj / MC Rota, but helping with advice & promoting the station
Myself personally feel that at 64 years old I can’t contribute to Kool, Jungle & DnB the way I have I have in the past keeping up with all the new talent, going to events and being involved as much as I was in the past, also I’m not in the best of health and don’t have the energy like I once did also Suzy struggles with her Diabetes daily
We will be turning off on the 1st of January 2023 for a month to relocate to the new studio and give the new team time to meet everyone and sort out the Rota, also get in place new Websites, Socials, and start promotion for relaunch
We must say a big love and thanks to those who have helped with the running of Kool over the past few years
Tentun, Dan Darkness,Jack knife, Old skool & Uno for helping us out they all helped to keep Kool going over the pass few years and would not been possible without them
A big special thanks to all our listeners over the past 31 years it’s truly been unbelievable the amount of Love and respect the Station and ourselves have had from the listeners has been second to none, and how faithful as listeners you have been & total respect to all our DJs MCs that have been a part of Kool over the past 31 years and became household names like Brockie, Det, Ragga Twins, Bryan G, Skibadee R.I.P, Shabba, Funky Flirt,Dj Ron and so many more the list is endless 100% love & respect for your support
it really has been life changing, this is not the end this is a new beginning for Kool, So god willing we will see you all in February 2023 with – Kool The Next Level – under new ownership
Thank you
Eastman & Suzy G
New Beginnings
As stated this is not the end for Kool, it will be continuing under the new ownership of Rinse FM!
We wish Eastman & Suzy all the best in the future and thank them for the decades of dedication to this music that we love.
Drum & Bass Playlist
We’re always updating our LoveThatBass drum & bass playlist on Spotify with all the freshest D&B music. Hit follow & check back regularly to stay updated with our favourite new releases from across the genre.
