5 Minutes With

Love Da Beat Radio

Life In Magazines has teamed up with Love Da Beat Radio, an innovative commercial radio station based in the Bromley borough that places community and young people at the heart of everything it does. We caught up with the station’s founder, Edmund Christie, to find out more… Hey Ed, what’s the story behind Love Da Beat Radio (LDBR) – why did you launch it?

I launched on 7th July 2017, so four years ago now, from my house using two computers linked together. I’m proud to say that it’s now grown to an office with 30 presenters. I initially launched LDBR as I was DJing on pirate radio stations and I wanted to have my own station and build my own brand legally.

What type of listeners do you get and what’s the overall aim of the radio station?

We broadcast in 176 countries across the world ranging from the ages of five to the over 65s. I know we attract a wide range of listeners, but we also have the Kids Corner show, where children read books and where siblings or family can listen in on them. Also, we play a number of eclectic genres of music which caters for all ages. Our overall aim of the station is to entertain and engage all our listeners and to support people.

What community projects are you involved in?

LDBR is currently working with local councillors on projects. We were looking forward to Penge Fest in June, but Covid restrictions meant that it was delayed. We are looking forward to participating in festivals and events, and we are also working with the Bromley Youth Engagement Team with the Police, who are supporting us in what we are doing for the young people. In addition, we are also running a mentoring programme for young people, who are involved in gangs and/or crime to engage with them and help support, guide and direct them on the right path to living a better life, which is done on a one-to-one basis. We are also partners with XbyX (Experts by Experience), who are a disabled charity in the Bromley Borough. We support them to do events such as Disability Pride which is held annually. At the last Disability pride event we had the Mayor of Bromley attend, different councillors, a deaf rapper, a dance group and a disabled comedian, so I’m really looking forward to next year’s event. We have also now partnered with Life In Magazines, where we collaborate with cross promotions and support each other in our journeys.

When you’re not busy with the radio station, what do you get up to?

Well, I work full time as a Custodial Operations Manager in a prison. Basically I’m a Prison Officer at a manager grade. I spend time with my children and go out with my friends and I like to do technical things like fix computers to exercise my brain. I also enjoy DJing and producing music.

What’s next for Love Da Beat Radio?

That’s a good question! Well, we are looking to complete the application to go DAB, as we want to hit an audience locally and enable people to listen to us on their radios and in their cars. We will be hiring more background staff for the running of the radio, so keep a watch on the website for vacancies. And we potentially have some A-List Celebs coming to the station to do interviews, so that’s in the pipeline. We are trying to reach out to other celebs, especially those who live in the borough of Bromley to help support the local cause.

For more information see www.lovedabeatradio. co.uk and social media @lovedabeatradio

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