Asian Network turns 20: 'A safe space for British Asians'

When BBC Asian Network went nationalist 20 years agone today, it was described arsenic being "a one-stop store for Asian communities".

It has provided a level for young British Asian euphony talents, portion welcoming big-name guests specified arsenic Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.

For galore British Asians, the presumption has provided "a harmless space" to spell to, whether that's to perceive to euphony oregon perceive topical taste issues being discussed.

"It's similar the cool, harmless and unafraid place, and astir comforting, knowing that the Asian Network is determination 24/7," says instrumentality Vishma Rai.

"And I don't deliberation you tin accidental that astir anyone, adjacent your friends," she tells BBC Newsbeat.

"I'm an opinionated young pistillate now. And I ne'er was that person, I was truthful shy arsenic a child," says 27-year-old Vishma from Bristol.

She has been a listener for implicit 10 years and praises the presumption for the "positive impact" it's had connected her done its wide-ranging discussions.

"I didn't let myself to adjacent person an opinion. But Asian Network showed maine that's not the norm, and it opened my eyes."

While providing a level for discussion, the presumption is known for being a champion of up-and-coming British Asian euphony talents.

One of those who has been played connected the presumption regularly implicit the years is shaper and instrumentalist Naughty Boy, who says proceeding artists specified arsenic Jay Sean, Rishi Rich and Bally Sagoo had a profound interaction connected his ain career.

"It made maine deliberation that anything's imaginable arsenic a British Asian artist. Before I started, these radical were paving the way.

"Asian Network has played a immense portion successful the trajectory of my career, from the get-go."

He says helium volition beryllium "forever grateful" for the enactment he's received and proceeding his euphony connected the presumption is "a feeling that volition ne'er get old".

Naughty Boy notes determination is simply a powerfulness successful Asian Network, "especially erstwhile you privation to crossover".

Joy Crookes and Priya Ragu are 2 artists helium names arsenic starting retired and being pushed by Asian Network, and they are present fashionable artists successful the mainstream.

"A large illustration of however you tin beryllium championed by 1 peculiar presumption but past spell connected to instrumentality implicit the world."

And portion helium mightiness beryllium an established sanction now, Naughty Boy "loves proceeding and seeing caller voices".

One of those caller talents is D8, who volition beryllium performing astatine Asian Network Certified successful Birmingham, to observe 20 years of the station.

"They picked up connected maine truly rapidly and started playing my stuff," helium says.

"They pushed my euphony to an assemblage I wouldn't person been capable to myself and I would not beryllium wherever I americium contiguous without them."

He says it's a peculiar feeling due to the fact that "it was the lone vigor presumption that my mum and my dad, my uncles, and household utilized to perceive to".

D8 feels Asian endowment tin sometimes get "brushed nether the carpet" due to the fact that of however uncommon it tin beryllium to spot Asians successful mainstream music.

"But with me, I consciousness I deed the jackpot with Asian Network. I was picked up and pushed into the charts."

For Breakfast Show presenter Nikita Kanda, "family and community" is what comes to caput erstwhile reasoning astir Asian Network.

"I truly bash consciousness similar I walk much clip present than with my existent family. It's determination you tin telephone your own, particularly for america British Asians."

Growing up, the 27-year-old listened to the likes of Noreen Khan and Bobby Friction, and says it's present surreal to telephone them colleagues.

"So professionally, and personally, it's been a large portion of my life."

Rishi Sunak became the first British Asian premier minister successful the UK, and Nikita says proceeding quality similar that "makes the archetypal spot you privation to go" beryllium Asian Network.

"You privation to perceive what we're saying astir it, due to the fact that it's that feeling being determination erstwhile you bash perceive quality astir ourselves."

Working successful the media oregon amusement manufacture is not a emblematic way for Asians, Nikita says, which is wherefore it's important for the presumption to "inspire the adjacent generation" of presenters and artists.

Nikita started her play amusement during the Covid pandemic and says she felt the "responsibility arsenic a presenter due to the fact that vigor is an escapism".

"If you're having a atrocious greeting oregon a atrocious day, and you crook connected the radio, you conscionable privation to perceive bully music, airy hearted chat, conscionable a spot of fun."

Vishma agrees and feels during pugnacious times the presumption has acted arsenic a transportation to the Asian community.

She says it was an "emotional enactment system".

"Everyone felt similar they were successful jail, it affects you. In times similar that you truly are successful a clip of request to person your temper lifted."

"They've ever got immoderate lively tracks to play to lighten up the temper to marque you consciousness similar everything's OK," she adds.

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