F The Radio is an independent online station dedicated to hip-hop. Today, we’ll provide a brief overview of its concept and, moving forward, aim to regularly highlight similar Ukrainian projects.
The idea for the project was conceived by Igor Pantus in 2015. The first broadcast went live three years later, on March 1, 2018.
“F The Radio represents a natural evolution of my passion and knowledge of music, especially hip-hop, which has transitioned from a hobby to a serious endeavor,” Igor Pantus explained to our publication.
Currently, the radio team consists of just one person—Igor himself—who manages all processes in collaboration with various media, artists, and creators.
“The station has been streaming music 24/7 for the past 3.5 years, attracting listeners from nearly every continent. My main goal is to support and promote the genre and culture at the highest level possible.
While ‘F The Radio’ is a hip-hop station, we don’t limit ourselves to just one genre. Essentially, we feature all quality music that’s somehow related to hip-hop. The broadcast might start with James Brown in the morning and transition to Rage Against The Machine or Nirvana by evening.
I prepare the material to be as diverse as possible within the original format. One unchanging rule is that no matter how popular a track may be, if I don’t personally like it, it won’t air on F The Radio. This is my personal soundtrack that I share with our listeners,” Igor adds.
Among Ukrainian hip-hop artists, Igor highlights Nemo 322, Tsina Rytmu, PVNCH, Roma Maik, Nashiem Voriek, and Bob Croma.
“I’m personally dissatisfied with the state of the genre. Here, it seems like everything swings from one extreme to another: either harsh old-school/boom-bap or modern ‘pink lil and young type rap’ with identical beats and delivery styles. This type of hip-hop sounds the same worldwide, except for the language.
Sometimes, in conversations with Ukrainian rappers about the genre, I sense discomfort. I realize that the person doesn’t understand what or who we’re talking about. We’re used to listening to and supporting each other, even when we’re not into it; and it’s either Onyx or some modern Lil Crap, and that’s it—the rap scene ends there. But hip-hop as a genre is incredibly diverse, and that’s why I created F The Radio,” comments the radio’s founder.
Igor is currently working on new projects within the station and plans to move towards monetization. You can support the project through donations or by subscribing on Patreon.
F The Radio is a Ukrainian online hip-hop station founded by Igor Pantus in 2018. The project’s main goal is to promote hip-hop and related genres in Ukraine.