Last semester I did student radio as part of FuseFM at the University of Manchester and I had so much fun with it. Outside of lectures and work, it was an hour a week of escape and musical storytelling. The show didn’t go without its technical difficulties, but it definitely helped me appreciate a new form of storytelling and exploration, which I loved sharing with my listeners.
The show was scheduled for Mondays from 4-5pm and this semester I’ll be starting your Fridays at 9am. As I get ready to start this new season, I wanted to highlight my favourite episodes and some key takeaways that have shaped the show so far.
Intro to R&B
I had no idea what I was doing when I first started this show. I wanted to play familiar music, but with just a day of training behind me, I was anxious. I stayed up all night, ended up sleeping in, and then had to rush to uni. What does my voice sound like? Who would want to listen to me for an hour? What if mess up on air?
I decided to start basic. I made a playlist and looked at my recently played: Laila!, SZA, TLC, Mahalia, and Soul For Real and they were songs I felt I knew well so I tried to mix them and see where that would land and it wasn’t bad. I loved it. I still touch base with this episode frequently.
Y2K
The Y2K episode was a true highlight, mostly because I was spoilt for choice! The 2000s had such an iconic sound, from Britney Spears to Timbaland to Destiny’s Child. In the end I went first come first serve. I let the playlist flow however it felt, and the random selection turned out to be amazing.
I needed it to give low-rise jeans and MP3s so I decided to whip out my digicam and deck of cards and do a photoshoot on my bedroom floor, which would then become the cover art for the episode. It was so much fun to dive into that era and really embrace the creativity that came with it. And of course, a part 2 is coming soon—I’ve barely scratched the surface of 2000s bangers!
Thought Granddaughter Radio ft. Mbuya and Sekuru
As drama unfolded throughout the semester, I needed a break. I was tired of city centre and Oxford Road and even my room was starting to feel small. I returned to London for a weekend and managed to attend a concert, decompress and spend time with family.
During my visit, I interviewed my grandparents, Mbuya and Sekuru, and set them up with Spotify so they could enjoy music on the go. I separately interviewed Mbuya and Sekuru and they shared how they have navigated the world through music. I asked them about the music that shaped their lives—from liberation struggles to dancing at the discotheque—and their stories were filled with wisdom. It was a humbling experience, and this episode reminded me how much we can learn from the music of our elders.
the 90s
By the time I got to this episode, things were settling down, and I was finding some much-needed clarity. I think that came through in the episode’s production and my delivery. As an R&B girlie, the 90s will always be a special decade, so I wanted to celebrate it with the best of the best: Usher, Toni Braxton, Brandy, Aaliyah, and more.
I also took the opportunity to reflect on ideas of personal style and how the 90s really shaped many a cultural moment. The cover art I created for this episode was inspired by the classic 90s magazine style, which added to the nostalgia and fun of the theme.
Coming up on TDR…
These episodes, though they each reflect different vibes and themes, all share a common thread: they are a snapshot of where I was in that moment. Whether it was nervousness and uncertainty or clarity and confidence, every broadcast has been a learning experience.
As I head into this semester with a new time slot and fresh ideas, I’m so grateful for the journey so far. Thank you for coming along with me—I can’t wait for what’s to come! I’ll be posting regular updates here and you can follow along on Spotify, Mixcloud, and Instagram too!