BBC Radio 1Xtra

BBC Radio 1Xtra amplifies black music and culture, as its tagline says, with hip hop, grime, R&B, dancehall, Afrobeats and amapiano. The schedule includes daytime shows hosted by well-known DJs, specialist programmes for UK rap and grime, Caribbean and African music, live sessions, interviews and the latest releases, with a strong connection to the urban culture of British cities. The sound is fresh and energetic, and the station has a reputation for supporting new talent.

The station started in 2002 as a digital service, with the aim of broadening the BBC's coverage of black British and international music, and it has been important in the growth of grime and UK hip hop. As a service of the BBC, it is funded mainly by the licence fee and carries no commercial advertising within the United Kingdom. The language is English, with strong influences from British street slang, and the content may include explicit lyrics. Because of music rights, some programmes may be restricted outside the United Kingdom.The stream is delivered as AAC+ at 101 kbps, an efficient codec that provides a clear sound at a moderate bitrate. It plays in your browser on RadioKite, and you can add it to your favourites.