DJ Ritu, pioneering international turntablist & BBC Radio presenter, hosts/produces A World in London at SOAS Radio, University of London, and at Resonance 104.4FM. In the ‘90s she co-founded Outcaste Records, signing Nitin Sawhney and Badmarsh & Shri. She has toured extensively in over 30 countries with her bands Sister India and the Asian Equation, performing at major venues and festivals including The Big Chill, WOMAD, The Royal Festival Hall and Trafalgar Square. Joining BBC London in 2006, she inherited Charlie Gillett’s slot, and then expanded it into ‘A World In London’. The show is recognized as an essential meeting point for world music fans and a hub for the industry. It has an unrivalled reputation for presenting a rich cultural mix that truly reflects the diverse musical tastes of London and its people. Guests include international stars such as Tarkan, Angelique Kidjo, Bebel Gilberto, AR Rahman, and Esma Redzepova, though the show aims to champion local up & coming talent. Her other weekly show for BBC Three Counties Radio ran for over 20 years and was syndicated in Germany, Turkey & Sweden. Ritu has also broadcast for BBC World Service, Kiss 100, and other stations. Rough Guides CD compiler, and EBU chart panel member, Ritu manages two London club nights: Kuch Kuch and Club Kali which are the longest running Bollywood events in the UK. A musical chameleon, her repertoire includes Soul, Disco, Motown, Pop, Drum n’ Bass, as well as Turkish, Greek, African, Latin, and Middle-Eastern sounds. She regularly comperes at various festivals and appears often at The Southbank Centre, Rich Mix, and various nightspots!
We highlighted some all-important events in the capital’s calendar on this show, and first up was the Focus Africa... See details
Mon, 2018-12-03 12:42
We highlighted some all-important events in the capital’s calendar on this show, and first up was the Focus Africa 8th Anniversary Festival happening at Rich Mix on December 1st!
Focus Atta came in to tell us about the sensational line-up that includes kora king Sura Susso, and Afro-Cuban...Daemonia Nymphe, the mystical masters of magical, musical mythology, are back with three fresh neofolk-fuelled tracks... See details
Fri, 2018-11-23 11:30
Daemonia Nymphe, the mystical masters of magical, musical mythology, are back with three fresh neofolk-fuelled tracks added to their Bandcamp album re-release which comes out today! Hear an exclusive preview of ‘Psychostasia 2018’ on this AWIL from DM dynamos Spyros G., Thodoris Ziarkas, and...A World In London at SOAS Radio features an interview with Ethiopian singer Minyeshu Kifle.
AWIL's Sophie Darling... See details
Mon, 2018-11-19 15:02
A World In London at SOAS Radio features an interview with Ethiopian singer Minyeshu Kifle.
AWIL's Sophie Darling caught up with her for an exclusive interview just before her appearance at Africa On The Square in October. Minyeshu tells us of her life, her rising career in music, and previews...Celebrating and exploring the many xylophone cultures of Africa on this A World in London!
A World in London's Lucas... See details
Mon, 2018-11-19 14:57
Celebrating and exploring the many xylophone cultures of Africa on this A World in London!
A World in London's Lucas Keen spent a decade apprenticing on the pentatonic balafon in Burkina Faso. For this special journey in buzzing gourds he takes Norman Druker and Sophie Darling from Burkina Faso...DJ Ritu, Norman Druker, Sophie Darling, and Lucas Keen review the latest & best international CDs in this Diwali... See details
Mon, 2018-11-12 12:36
DJ Ritu, Norman Druker, Sophie Darling, and Lucas Keen review the latest & best international CDs in this Diwali special, which includes albums by innovative producers Deep Forest & Gaudi, conscious Reggae giants Black Roots, and field recordings by someone called David Attenborough...
There’s a rare chance to catch the most dazzling, daring, and dynamic music collective at Rich Mix this week, when... See details
Thu, 2018-11-01 15:37
There’s a rare chance to catch the most dazzling, daring, and dynamic music collective at Rich Mix this week, when GRRRL launch their debut album, ‘We Work, We Play’, on November 2nd!
Global organisation, In Place of War, teamed up with outstanding female artists from Ghana, Venzuela,...Languages Through Music is the brilliant brainchild of Desta Haile.
After working in music & language teaching... See details
Mon, 2018-10-22 12:40
Languages Through Music is the brilliant brainchild of Desta Haile.
After working in music & language teaching all over the world for 15 years she put the two together and now runs international online courses, workshops in schools, companies, festivals & over Skype. The songs she...London, Oct. 24th at the Vortex - that's when Shirley Smart launches her debut album! Her rich and varied repertoire is... See details
Mon, 2018-10-15 12:43
London, Oct. 24th at the Vortex - that's when Shirley Smart launches her debut album! Her rich and varied repertoire is somehow condensed into thirteen instrumentals on ‘Long Story Short’, revealing Shirley’s magnificent skills. She’s a game changer for the cello, bringing out its beauty,...We caught up with Heather Innes mid-tour and between her travels across the UK to promote her excellent new album,... See details
Mon, 2018-10-08 12:49
We caught up with Heather Innes mid-tour and between her travels across the UK to promote her excellent new album, ‘Here Comes the Day’. Accompanied by talented Ciaran Dorris on guitar and vocals, this is an unmissable AWIL in which Heather had ALL of us singing in the studio! Plus you can hear...Lifetime music lover John Armstrong has been at the forefront of bringing music from around the world to London for... See details
Sun, 2018-10-07 12:46
Lifetime music lover John Armstrong has been at the forefront of bringing music from around the world to London for over thirty years – as a club DJ, reviewer, BBC Radio presenter and record compiler. He's put together many “Rough Guide” CDs and has accessed the vaults of many record labels...Ethio-Jazz for the twenty-first century with Meklit on this A World in London!
When the People Move, The Music... See details
Thu, 2018-07-26 13:24
Ethio-Jazz for the twenty-first century with Meklit on this A World in London!
When the People Move, The Music Moves Too, especially when that music is made by Meklit. Addis-born, San Francisco based Meklit Hadero released her third and near-perfect album on Six Degrees Records earlier this...Spiritual awakenings with singer/composer Kedar Sharma on this A World in London!
Delhi-born, Kolkata-raised... See details
Fri, 2018-07-20 18:30
Spiritual awakenings with singer/composer Kedar Sharma on this A World in London!
Delhi-born, Kolkata-raised vocalist/guitarist, Kedar Sharma, has been at the heart of India’s vibrant Rock music scene for many years, but since moving to London ten years ago, he’s immersed himself in the...Gifted concert pianist & classical music star Ji Liu on this A World in London!
Ji Liu’s professional foray... See details
Fri, 2018-07-13 15:45
Gifted concert pianist & classical music star Ji Liu on this A World in London!
Ji Liu’s professional foray into classical music performance began at the tender age of thirteen in Carnegie Hall, where he encountered his first and apparently last bout of stage fright. His rapid rise to...Bodhran & beyond with multi-faceted musician/singer and enigmatic educator, Aimée Leonard on this A World in... See details
Wed, 2018-07-04 12:56
Bodhran & beyond with multi-faceted musician/singer and enigmatic educator, Aimée Leonard on this A World in London! Plus world cups of new music introduced by Norman Druker & DJ Ritu! Find all episodes of A World in London, and our definitive worldly gig guide at www.djritu.com Listen...Scorching hot new global CDs rounded up by Norman Druker & DJ Ritu on this A World in London!
Find all... See details
Mon, 2018-07-02 11:52
Scorching hot new global CDs rounded up by Norman Druker & DJ Ritu on this A World in London!
Find all episodes of A World in London, and our definitive worldly gig guide at www.djritu.com Listen anytime,...Exceptional & eloquent singer/songwriter Eliza Shaddad on this A World in London!
Eliza Shaddad’s new... See details
Thu, 2018-06-21 12:28
Exceptional & eloquent singer/songwriter Eliza Shaddad on this A World in London!
Eliza Shaddad’s new single ‘My Body’ comes out this week, pointing to her fantastic debut album ‘Future’, which is scheduled for release in October. Aptly titled as Eliza’s own future beckons...Superb singer/songwriters Bryde & Karima Francis on this A World in London!
The Mayor of London’s new music... See details
Fri, 2018-06-15 13:55
Superb singer/songwriters Bryde & Karima Francis on this A World in London!
The Mayor of London’s new music month continues through June across our vibrant city, shining a light on female music-makers. Two artists supported by #SoundsLikeLondon dropped into our studio this week adding to...We were joined by our live guest, Djanan Turan, who us about her support work with Middle Eastern refugee children in... See details
Fri, 2018-06-08 16:45
We were joined by our live guest, Djanan Turan, who us about her support work with Middle Eastern refugee children in Turkey. She also treated us to a couple of live songs, accompanied by the sensitive playing of Fred, her guitarist/musical partner.
Originating from Adana, south Anatolia,...This week's A World In London guest Atta Kouassi, of Focus Organisation, told us about the Focus Africa 2018 music... See details
Tue, 2018-06-05 12:30
This week's A World In London guest Atta Kouassi, of Focus Organisation, told us about the Focus Africa 2018 music festival, running at Rich Mix on June 2nd.
London-based Cote D'Ivoirean Atta has, for several years, been putting together music events that celebrate the massive range of music...Marlborough 2 Maharashtra with Marcus Corbett on this A World in London, plus new duo Stornelli!
Marcus Corbett... See details
Thu, 2018-05-24 16:40
Marlborough 2 Maharashtra with Marcus Corbett on this A World in London, plus new duo Stornelli!
Marcus Corbett is a singer, acoustic guitarist and composer based between Marlborough, UK and Pune, Maharashtra, India. Gradually, during repeated expeditions in India over the last decade or...Queen bee of Bulgarian folk music, Eugenia Georgieva on this A World in London! Click... See details
Fri, 2018-05-18 15:58
Queen bee of Bulgarian folk music, Eugenia Georgieva on this A World in London! Click here: https://soasradio.org/music/episodes/awil-260-eugenia-georgieva
London’s premier & most eloquent ambassador for traditional Bulgarian vocal music, Eugenia Georgieva, has just released her...Fascinating Greek musical mythology with Daemonia Nymphe on this A World in London!
Spyros G. and Evi S.... See details
Fri, 2018-05-11 14:23
Fascinating Greek musical mythology with Daemonia Nymphe on this A World in London!
Spyros G. and Evi S. conceived the notion of their music project almost 25 years ago on the steps of Athens’ Parthenon, inspired by its classical grandeur and gateway to the Greek gods. Since then Daemonia...Sunlit guitar compositions with Branco Stoysin on this A World in London!
Branco Stoysin unveiled his wonderful... See details
Tue, 2018-05-08 16:42
Sunlit guitar compositions with Branco Stoysin on this A World in London!
Branco Stoysin unveiled his wonderful new studio album on this AWIL, marking the 20th anniversary of his label, Sun Recordings. Titled ‘Above the Clouds’, the CD features ten tracks each with an individual story...DJ, journalist, club promoter, and music lover Jamie Renton on this A World in London!
There’s never a chance to... See details
Fri, 2018-04-27 14:22
DJ, journalist, club promoter, and music lover Jamie Renton on this A World in London!
There’s never a chance to chat with Jamie Renton given his super busy schedule and the fact that usually one of us has headphones on, so we decided to meet at AWIL instead! Jamie first hit the decks for an...We invited Far Side Radio's Paul Fisher to give us a beginner's introduction to new music from Asia – as widely as he... See details
Thu, 2018-04-19 17:45
We invited Far Side Radio's Paul Fisher to give us a beginner's introduction to new music from Asia – as widely as he could take us in under an hour. A formidable task, given that Indonesia alone has around 17,500 islands, and Japan nearly 7,000, many with cultural, linguistic and musical...With Ritu in India, SOAS Radio's Sophie Darling makes a selection of her favourite tracks from A World In London.
You... See details
Thu, 2018-04-12 14:15
With Ritu in India, SOAS Radio's Sophie Darling makes a selection of her favourite tracks from A World In London.
You Need Love - Ebo Taylor - Ghana
Mo Light - 47 Soul - Palestine
Laissez Passer - TootArd - Syria
Mountain Groove - Namlo - Nepal
Eastern Baschet - Addictive TV - London
Itacarai...Going For A Song with author Garth Cartwright on this A World in London!
Who doesn’t love records? That’s like... See details
Mon, 2018-04-09 12:18
Going For A Song with author Garth Cartwright on this A World in London!
Who doesn’t love records? That’s like asking who doesn’t love chocolate, right? There is something permanently irresistible about those succulent discs of acetate loaded with grooves of favourite songs, dance-floor...Tips & tricks for musicians by Lucie Caswell from The FAC on this A World in London! Click here:... See details
Thu, 2018-03-29 13:43
Tips & tricks for musicians by Lucie Caswell from The FAC on this A World in London! Click here: https://soasradio.org/music/episodes/awil-253-lucie-caswell
There’s no business like show business, and for many musicians this now means developing new skills in promotion, CD distribution,...Musician/Producer Tim Whelan introduces The Blood Tub Orchestra on this A World in London!
Tim Whelan is one of... See details
Thu, 2018-03-22 17:41
Musician/Producer Tim Whelan introduces The Blood Tub Orchestra on this A World in London!
Tim Whelan is one of the gifted brains behind super fusionistic band Transglobal Underground but you’ll find his musical fingers in many pies. His latest project is called The Blood Tub Orchestra and...Impact Theatre Company director Amanda Noar on this A World in London!
For International Women’s Week we spoke... See details
Thu, 2018-03-08 22:49
Impact Theatre Company director Amanda Noar on this A World in London!
For International Women’s Week we spoke with one of the most talented creatives working in our city. Amanda Noar has had a glittering career in dance, television, and stage, and now she leads the Impact Theatre...Percussion maestro & exceptional music-maker, Afla Sackey dropped in to this A World in London!
Afla will be... See details
Fri, 2018-02-23 00:12
Percussion maestro & exceptional music-maker, Afla Sackey dropped in to this A World in London!
Afla will be performing with his super band Afrik Bawantu at The Empire Bar in Hackney THIS Saturday February 24th and is set to dazzle Mare Street with the finest & funkiest mash-up of...A trip around the globe with the freshest new international CDs on this A World in London!
Listen in anytime,... See details
Thu, 2018-02-01 20:40
A trip around the globe with the freshest new international CDs on this A World in London!
Listen in anytime, anyplace with Sophie Darling, Norman Druker, and DJ...Percussion queen, Elizabeth Nott on this A World in London! Click... See details
Thu, 2018-01-25 15:16
Percussion queen, Elizabeth Nott on this A World in London! Click here: https://soasradio.org/music/episodes/a-world-in-london-247-elizabeth-nott
Talented Venezuelan musician Elizabeth Nott returned to AWIL with news about her forthcoming Middle Eastern drum workshops! Find out more...The finest selection of New Year global music on this A World in London!
Brand new CDs for 2018 by international... See details
Thu, 2018-01-18 16:40
The finest selection of New Year global music on this A World in London!
Brand new CDs for 2018 by international artists like the Afrika Mamas, Luar Na Lubre, Jyotsna Srikanth with Nordic Raga, and many more, previewed by Sophie Darling, Norman Druker, and DJ...Global music chameleons, the Brickwork Lizards on this A World in London!
Oxford’s premier genre-crossing band... See details
Fri, 2018-01-12 14:09
Global music chameleons, the Brickwork Lizards on this A World in London!
Oxford’s premier genre-crossing band have kickstarted 2018 with a brilliant new album called Haneen! Musical master-chefs, Tarik Beshir and Malachy O’Neill from Brickwork Lizards...Queens of harmony – Marina Deligianni & Sofia Pechlivani on this festive A World in London! Click... See details
Wed, 2017-12-20 17:23
Queens of harmony – Marina Deligianni & Sofia Pechlivani on this festive A World in London! Click here: https://soasradio.org/music/episodes/a-world-in-london-244-XmasQueens
The hectic pace of life in London means that Christmas never comes until something special zaps it into focus....BBC broadcaster & author of ‘China In Drag’, Michael Bristow on this A World in London!
China is a country that... See details
Sat, 2017-12-09 12:07
BBC broadcaster & author of ‘China In Drag’, Michael Bristow on this A World in London!
China is a country that has seen rapid change in little more than a generation, shifting from Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, from 1966-76, to the hugely influential global superpower we know today. But...London four-piece band Latchepen debuted in our studio at SOAS Radio this week, dashing through a repertoire of... See details
Thu, 2017-11-23 17:18
London four-piece band Latchepen debuted in our studio at SOAS Radio this week, dashing through a repertoire of 20th century classics by Django Reinhardt, Serge Gainsbourg, and their own kick-ass compositions, with astonishing musicianship & dazzling dexterity! Matt Holborn,Kourosh Kanani,...Multi-faceted ‘Voice of Scotland’, Mary Ann Kennedy on this A World in London! Click here:... See details
Thu, 2017-11-16 16:06
Multi-faceted ‘Voice of Scotland’, Mary Ann Kennedy on this A World in London! Click here: https://soasradio.org/music/episodes/a-world-in-london-241-mary-ann-kennedy Music fans will already be familiar with the broadcasting voice of Mary Ann Kennedy steering Roots music through BBC Scotland &...
