Ahead of the celebration of its third anniversary next month, the Frass Friday team marks a new milestone with the launch of its first radio programme on MAAD 97.5 FM next Friday. The radio programme comes at a time when the team has been significantly impacted by the pandemic.
Frass Friday was founded as a platform to promote up and coming Guyanese artistes. Prior to COVID-19, they met every Friday and rehearsed. Those considered to be among the top performers were allowed to go live on Facebook, while the best of the best made up the ‘Frass Friday Squad’. Singers on the squad had a sing-off on the last Friday of every month.
At the beginning of March last year, Frass Friday boasted 200 registered members. Today they have 22 active members. However, once the new programme goes on air, promoter and producer of Frass Friday, Jahmai ‘Jahie’ Charles is optimistic that many of these artistes will return and new aspiring singers will join the team.
Beginning October 8, every Friday from 8 pm to 9.30 pm the programme will promote six artistes performing Reggae, Dancehall and/or HipHop. Jahie, who will serve as co-host, shared his excitement that this platform will reach a wider audience. The programme will also have a call-in session, during which an original rhythm sponsored by other music/entertainment enthusiasts will be played. Callers can share their singing talent on the phone and the best of the night will have the opportunity of recording a song on the rhythm and also win a prize.
Jahie shared that the programme will extend its platform to overseas artistes, some based in Trinidad, Jamaica, and Ghana who will also be featured from time to time when calling via WhatsApp or Zoom. It will not only benefit singers but also DJs and Selectors who will be rotated.
For the time being Jahie, the CEO of Trinity Promotions, will sponsor the programme. He hopes that after some exposure and the realization that they are about promoting local talent, members of the business community will get on board to sponsor the programme. So far one sponsor is Drayton Studios which is sponsoring all of the photos and videos.
While on air, the programme will also stream live on the Frass Friday Facebook page. Frass Friday is also on Instagram and there is a YouTube channel: frassmusicgy.
