Radio Yako

When you tune into the radio you feel you are in Malawi or listening to a radio based in Malawi.  Yet this is not the case.

This radio is based in Orlando, Florida in the United States of America – over a thousand kilometers away from Malawi.

Thanks to advanced technology and the smarts, talent and dedication of creative genius, Chimwemwe Ncozana, most people around the world are now able to listen to Malawian music online.

Radio Yako, meaning “your radio”, is an online station that brings to you Malawian sounds and programs through online streaming. Ncozana, aka DJ KMM, happens to be the CEO and Founder of the station.

If you don’t know him, you would assume he is a serious fellow but quite the opposite resonates with the truth. Ncozana’s aptitude ranges between a fun-loving chatter box and a wholesome comedian too.

A husband and father of three, the young man works for the Corona Cigar Company as a graphics designer.

One day when his co-workers joked about his jovial mood and how he would make a good DJ, bang, his world in the radio land happened. That was in 2006 and the rest is history.

Why Radio Yako?

Operating since 2006, Radio Yako’s goal is to let the world know and appreciate the assets of talent and productions in Malawi.

“Exposure of artists is highly needed at the international level since Malawi – also known as “The Warm heart of Africa” – is one of the poorest countries in the world,” says Ncozana.

Radio Yako’s role is to promote Malawian artists while, all together, not exploiting the music industry in anyway.

Providing listeners with entertainment, the Radio connects people around the world to Malawi and evokes memories of countrymen in the Diaspora to their beloved country.

With technology galore, music is all over the place, sometimes the owners of the music do not get a return on their sweat and investment.

For instance, sometimes artists upload their music onto music websites for free downloads. While this acts as a great tool for exposure internationally, the talent goes gratis.

Radio Yako has a solution for all musicians wanting to make some quid.

It provides a platform for the artists to share their works for free on the website which the radio uses for commercial use only; playing it for its listeners.

Streaming of music on the station is done on a medium bitrates 24 hours in seven days with power back up and high end reliable server backups.

“The reasoning behind the medium bitrates steaming is that if the listeners decide to record the music, the playback will be of lesser quality,” explains Ncozana.

“Everyone who loves music wants nothing but the best. As such they go to websites like iTunes and others to purchase their own CD’s or mp3’s to stock up on their Malawian music collection.”

Radio Yako can be accessed on smart phones as well as computers. Online support is available for those who need it.

Yako is strictly a nonprofit online radio. It does not sell or provide upload sharing options of free music. This means that music that artists upload is not exploited.

DJs and presenters for the radio provide their service on voluntary basis. This means a big strain on DJ KMM, as he has to fill the gaps as and when they occur, being the main guy at the station.

His dedication to the radio has made it a reputable establishment with a lot of online following.

Advertisements are made on facebook social network and through emails.

“Since it is a nonprofit establishment donations are welcome and greatly appreciated to keep the radio running. Some of the money is what is used to buy air time on Skype and phone cards to call musicians for interviews,” informs Ncozana.

“Bearing in mind that this is one of the platforms first time musicians use to launch their careers, it would be nice for them to give back to the radio in the form of donations for its day to day operations to run smoothly. In doing so, that enables other upcoming musicians to have the same chance and break through,” he adds.

Ncozana is grateful to all local musicians for allowing Radio Yako to share their music with fellow Malawians.

“The music is like sweets to the ear especially for those in Diaspora because it is through the music that they get to know what is going on at home. We hope that with such exposure more people worldwide will know about Malawian music.”

“To the listeners, we thank you for your support because without you we would not be operating at all. You can find us online at www.radioyako.com and we are also on facebook as Radioyako Malawi.”