Capital XTRA streams urban and dance music live from London, built on hip-hop, R&B, grime, and the latest hits. Press play on Radio Shuffle and it starts instantly, no account or app download required.
Britain's First Licensed Black Music Station
Capital XTRA carries the frequency and legacy of Choice FM, which first broadcast on March 31, 1990 from studios in Trinity Gardens, Brixton, co-founded by Patrick Berry and Neil Kenlock as Britain's first 24-hour licensed black music station, according to coverage of the station's 31st anniversary. Over 23 years, Choice FM championed black music across genres, broke international acts, and ran current affairs debates that mainstream stations largely ignored, earning MOBO and Sony Radio Academy Awards along the way.
A Rebrand That Sparked Protest
Global, which also owns Capital Radio, rebranded Choice FM as Capital XTRA on October 7, 2013, dropping several specialist shows and DJs in the process. The change prompted listener protests over the station's shift away from its original specialist programming, a reminder of how much weight a loyal local audience places on continuity even when a brand technically survives under new ownership.
A Legacy Marked in Stone
Choice FM's contribution to British broadcasting was formally recognized on March 31, 2021, when a blue heritage plaque was unveiled at the original Brixton site, marking the station's first broadcast exactly 31 years earlier. Capital XTRA today operates as the sister station to Capital, broadcasting in London on 96.9 and 107.1 FM alongside a national DAB slot built around new music and urban dance tunes.
Listen Free on Radio Shuffle
Capital XTRA streams around the clock, and Radio Shuffle carries the feed live with nothing to install and no subscription required. Press play for urban and dance hits carrying forward Brixton's broadcasting legacy.