Event Details

In partnership with MOJA Arts Festival, the Charleston Library Society is honored to present radio host, producer and lowcountry legend Osei Chandler of Roots Musik Karamu – the beloved and longest running Caribbean music programs on SC Public Radio, first broadcast in 1979. Hosted in conversation with MOJA Arts Festival Director Charlton Singleton, Brooklyn-born Chandler will speak to his early experiences establishing roots in Charleston, the process of building his cornerstone radio program and the importance of this foundation in more than 30 years of creating opportunities to give back to his adopted lowcountry community. Over the course of the conversation we will learn from his deep well of knowledge on Reggae and Roots Afro Pop and perhaps even hear excerpts from his expansive signature catalogue of music.

About Roots Musik Karamu

Roots Musik Karamu (RMK) broadcast its first show on April 21, 1979 and has been going strong ever since. In that span, producer and host Osei Chandler has produced over 4,000 hours of the weekly two-hour program. Karamu is the Kiswahili word for “feast”, and the show centers on reggae music, bringing listeners the sounds of calypso, soca, blues, jazz, gospel, Juju, and more. Osei also offers Roots Rap (interviews with artists and other special guests) and maintains the RMK Community Bulletin Board. RMK is one of the longest-running public radio programs in the country.