After A Lot of Crying From Kenyan Artistes, a New Radio Show Promises To Give Them Reprieve

Kenyan artiste say they have suffered for a longtime after Nigerian and other foreign artistes have penetrated and dominated the Kenyan music scene. But they can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Because Coca-Cola has partnered with leading supplier of entertainment programming to radio outside the U.S Radio Express, to produce, distribute and promote an original and fully branded new radio show for African music lovers, The Coke Studio Radio Hour.

The  radio show, borne from Coca-Cola’s flagship music show Coke Studio Africa is set to air on key radio stations including Royal Media’s Hot 96 in Kenya and others stations in Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Nigeria.

Vivian Achieng, Strategic Marketing Manager COLAS at Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa, said Coca Cola is excited about this particular partnership as the show will now be available to a larger market segment that could not access it through the previously available platforms.

“Coke Studio Africa is a show that reinvents the way music captures the imagination and heart of our continent. Our audiences should get the opportunity to celebrate and appreciate this through whatever available platform and Coca-Cola is committed towards enabling this.” She added

Barbara Rounds, President and Chief Executive Officer for Radio Express said: “We are excited to once again be partnering with Coca-Cola, with the Coke Studio Radio Hour.  We are delighted that they have come to us to produce a radio component to their highly successful television program, Coke Studio, which will enable them to reach a wider audience. 

The program will spotlight musical fusion between African artists, special behind-the-scenes content and social media features, that will magnify the Coke Studio brand messages and build upon this passionate community of music fans.”

The one-hour weekly show will complement and drive music fans to Coke Studio Africa (https://cokestudio.co.ke/) a hugely popular music television series now in its third season that also airs in Pakistan, India and select countries in Africa. 

Coke Studio Africa features live studio-recorded music performances by Africa’s biggest artists. In addition to producing and distributing the new radio show, Radio Express will cross-promote The Coke Studio Radio Hour and Coke Studio Africa through social media, as well as on the radio show.

Like TV’s Coke Studio Africa, The Coke Studio Radio Hour brings together top musical artists from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Nigeria, and creates musical fusion through creative cross-continental artist collaborations. Hosted by world-renowned club DJ and Urban radio personality DJ A-One, the show will include the music of current and past Coke Studio performances and will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with the artists.

Participating radio stations will also co-create a short segment in the program where they will interact with local listeners via social media and do on-air giveaways. Listeners will be directed to the Coke Studio Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, as well as to the Coke Studio YouTube channel, where fusions and collaborations can be seen from past and current seasons. The Coke Studio Radio Hour airs in English in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria, and in Portuguese in Mozambique.

Coca-Cola and Radio Express have partnered on numerous successful branded radio shows over the past eight years, launching The Coca-Cola Real Mix in 2007, followed by The Coke Music and Football Mixshow, The Coca-Cola Open Happiness Mixshow—and now, The Coke Studio Radio Ho