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Asian Network & 1Xtra join forces for Homegrown

Today, BBC 1Xtra and Asian Network announced their first joint Homegrown Weekend, running from Friday 11th – Sunday 13th November.

Homegrown Weekend 2005 is a celebration of UK music, showcasing the best talent from the UK black music and Brit Asian scenes and recognising 1Xtra and the Asian Network?s part in supporting new music. Fellow BBC digital networks 6 Music and BBC 7 will also contribute to the weekend.

1Xtra?s Ras Kwame and Asian Network?s Nikki Bedi will launch the weekend at 7pm on Fri 11th November. 1Xtra will offer a non-stop 53 hour broadcast, while the Asian Network will dedicate 27 hours of programming leading up to and over the weekend, in a celebration of genres from Hip Hop, UKG, Dancehall and Drum & Bass to Desi and Bhangra.

1Xtra?s DJs Ras Kwame, Semtex, Rodney P & Skitz, Benji B, Nesha, Bailey, Dev, Cameo, Twin B, Panjabi Hit Squad, Robbo Ranx, Jenna G and Ronnie Herel team up with Asian Network?s Nikki Bedi, Adil Ray, Anita Rani, Ameet Channa, Markie Mark, Dips Bhamra, DJ Stin, Neelu Khalsi and Bobby Friction to broadcast special ?Homegrown? shows with live performances and interviews. Both networks will broadcast the ?UK Anthems? listener vote. The most popular anthems will be broadcast on 1Xtra?s ?UK Anthems? (hosted by Ras Kwame and Twin B) on Sunday 13th Nov at 7pm and Asian Network?s ?Top Ten Homegrown Anthems? (hosted by Ameet Channa) on Saturday 12th Nov at 6pm.

Asian Network: Markie Mark will host a live session with Safri. ?Desi Divas? hosted by Nikki Bedi and Anita Rani showcases Brit-Asian female artists Sabrina, MC Ria, Hard Kaur, Ms Scandalous, Suman, DJ Kayper and Ms Que Tee. ?Desi Decades? hosted by Dips Bhamra follows the history of bhangra, from traditional to the current fusion era. Bobby Friction hosts a live set with bhangra act Achanak, while Markie Mark speaks exclusively to Panjabi MC. ?The Mix? will see a DJ battle between DJ Stin, Ameet Chana, Markie Mark and Bobby Friction for title of ?best turntablist?.

Vijay Sharma, Head of Asian Network added “We at the Asian Network are delighted to be involved in this collaboration with 1Xtra. This is a great way of celebrating homegrown talent from each of the different communities. It is a fantastic opportunity to shout about the massive contribution of Brit Asian talent championed by the Asian Network”.