COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Public Radio (SC Public Radio) recently began broadcasting Roots Musik Karamu with Osei Chandler statewide across each of its eight stations. Airing Saturday nights at 10 p.m., the two-hour program centers on reggae music and brings listeners the sounds of calypso, soca, blues, jazz, gospel, Juju and more.
The word Karamu is Kiswahili for “feast,” which aligns perfectly with the festive and unique sound the show provides to the community. One of the longest running public radio programs in the country, Roots Music Karamu broadcast its first show on April 21, 1979 in Charleston S.C. Since that time, producer and host Osei Chandler has produced more than 4,000 hours of the weekly two-hour program.
In its 41-year history, this marks the first time Roots Musik Karamu has been broadcast statewide on a regular basis. This opportunity was brought about by the cancellation of three SC Public Radio programs – Live From Here, Chamber Music From Spoleto Festival USA and Only a Game. The result of limitations caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these cancellations provided a perfect opportunity to update SC Public Radio’s regular lineup.
Now in its 48th year of broadcasting, the SC Public Radio network covers not only most of the Palmetto State, but also communities that border South Carolina, including Charlotte, Augusta and Savannah. This broad coverage area allows SC Public Radio to reach an average of approximately 300,000 listeners each week.
For more information on SC Public Radio, please visit www.southcarolinapublicradio.org.
QUOTES:
“Our goal is to provide listeners across the state with the perfect blend of culture, information and art. We are excited about the transition of Roots Musik Karamu to a statewide broadcast, giving all South Carolinians a chance to listen to the captivating, unique sounds that Osei Chandler presents each week.” –SCETV President and CEO Anthony Padgett
“Like other lifestyle genres, including hip hop, country and jazz, reggae has its own sound, fashion, language, philosophy and attitude. I am extremely grateful to still be on this journey, now sharing and celebrating all of the great aspects of reggae with listeners all across the state.” –Host/Producer Osei Chandler
FIVE FAST FACTS:
- SC Public Radio recently began broadcasting Roots Musik Karamu with Osei Chandler statewide across each of its eight stations.
- Produced and hosted by Osei Chandler since 1979, Roots Musik Karamu centers around reggae music and the sounds of calypso, soca, blues, jazz, gospel, Juju and more.
- Roots Musik Karamu is one of the longest running public radio programs in the country.
- The program airs Saturday nights at 10 p.m. on all SC Public Radio stations.
- For more information on SC Public Radio, please visit www.southcarolinapublicradio.org.