Auckland DJ: Radio stations need a new sound

A recent crop of independent radio stations is appealing to a new demographic, according to an Auckland DJ.

Basil Raghib, also known by his DJ name illBaz, said he felt mainstream radio stations were sticking too closely to a formula and weren’t branching out enough.

The Auckland-based DJ, who has experience in radio and live music, said new offerings were “catering to people’s needs” that otherwise aren’t met by traditional stations.

“You have your Mai FM’s, your ZM’s, which cater to a certain demographic and they don’t step outside that demographic,” said Mr Raghib.

“You have independent radio stations coming out now and catering to niche markets and niche audiences, which is real dope.”

One of those independent radio shows appealing to a different demographic is Auckland Z00 radio, which broadcasts on Teapot radio station on both the 88.3 radio frequency and a live stream online, every Friday from 11am to 12pm.

The show includes a mix of new and old hip hop, and African Dancehall music not usually found on mainstream radio stations.

It also includes various segments such as 'twerk team anthems', shared by Courtney Evans, and 'Westside stories', which has co-host Jordan Jacobs telling humorous stories from his teenage years.

Regular listener of the show, Ronin Olsen, said it was the variation of music that has made him a regular listener.

“They don’t play mainstream music, they play a lot of good music but not much stuff you hear on normal radio,” said Mr Olsen. “Their new hip hop is mostly what I listen for.”

Co-creator of the Auckland Z00 show Ethan Karena added that they didn’t originally try to be different from other radio shows.

“I guess it’s a bit different to what’s on the radio but I don’t intend for it to purposely play what’s not on the [mainstream] radio,” said Mr Karena.

“I mean there’s always going to be a certain demographic in some way.

“There’s a lot of good hip hop out there and a lot of people into it but only a certain amount of it gets played.”