Staple London radio station Kool FM has been offline since its farewell broadcast on New Year's Eve, but news has been shared that Rinse FM has acquired the station and it will relaunch under its original name.

The Rinse FM broadcast studios will house Kool FM with an updated roster of DJs who are soon to be announced. Their iconic 'Jungle Fever' party series will still feature on Rinse, continuing its legacy of championing underground sounds from the UK. Established in 1991 by founders Eastman and Susie G, Kool FM was the place to be for UK garage, jungle, and drum & bass artists, but it was also an essential platform in grime's early, formative years. This lengthy history makes us even more thrilled for their incarnation under Rinse FM.

Rinse founder Geeneus wrote in a Facebook post: "Welcome to the Rinse family Kool FM! Around the age of 12 years old, I was introduced to Pirate radio by some of my older cousins, it wasn't long after that I stumbled upon Kool FM 94.5, and it soon became an obsession."

He continued, "Starting Rinse for me was based on the passion and love I had for Kool FM. After 31 years of hard work, Eastman and Suzy [Susie G, Kool’s former owners] have decided to pass the baton over to us to continue the Kool legacy. It is beyond a privilege and I hope to do it justice. Thank you to Kool, Eastman and Suzy for trusting me with this."

Discussing the transition, Kool FM founder Eastman adds: "31 years is a long time out of anyone’s life so it is with deep sadness that Suzy and myself have come to the decision to retire from radio and pass the ownership and running of Kool on. Geeneus has an excellent track record of achievements in radio and also has first class knowledge of Kool and myself as we worked together on the roofs putting Kool and Rinse on."

"Back in the day he was a big Kool listener and took inspiration from Kool and the way we ran the station. His love for Kool is 100% and that’s why we have put trust in Gee to get Kool to the next level. We must say thank you to those who have helped with the running of Kool or been a part of Kool in any way over the past 31 years. It’s been a massive, life changing journey for Suzy and myself. This is not the end, this is a new beginning for Kool. Thank you all for your support."