R2 Radio Network is a unique platform in the world of music and entertainment, offering a variety of shows produced by the international music label R2 Recordz. With three shows to choose from, R2 Radio, Risa’s Select, and the newly introduced “Trendy Pickups by Risa & Roro,” each program brings a fresh, engaging perspective on arts, culture, and entertainment. Risa’s Select is a personally curated program that covers a wide range of topics, while R2 Radio and Trendy Pickups are bilingual music shows hosted by Risa Kumon and, Rolandis “RORO” Ramsey.
R2 Radio, available to an international audience with subtitles in Japanese and English, features interviews with guests from the global entertainment industry and covers music, art, and culture. ‘Trendy Pickups, on the other hand, is more Japanese-centric with a touch of English and broadcasts from Tokyo’s popular commercial radio station, Interfm89.7mhz.
In this interview, we’ll delve deeper into R2 Radio Network’s unique offerings, its founders’ vision, and its mission to connect Japan’s unique culture to the world of entertainment.
What inspired you both to start a radio network?
Risa Kumon: We wanted to create a platform that would empower artists and
musicians, giving them a voice and a platform to share their music and their stories with the world. We believe that everyone has a story to tell, and we wanted to create a space where those stories could be heard and celebrated.
Roro: Well for me, I actually never really set out to do radio; it kinda just happened and came to me. It all started in Okinawa when we were interviewed about a song we had released and after a while of being regular guests for the show, we were asked to come on as regular hosts, and I even engineered the show. Then years later, I was offered my own show, Roro Radio, at a commercial station in Fukuoka. After seeing the impact, I realized that this might be something I should do more of. Eventually, Risa and I started collaborating on various projects like working with Pharcyde Tv, a network created by Bootie brown of the Pharcyde. After that, and we decided to start our own radio network to showcase new and exciting music, explore different cultures and trends, and promote cross-cultural exchange through music and entertainment. R2 Radio Network was born out of a passion for creating something meaningful and impactful.
What sets R2 Radio’s shows apart from other entertainment focused radio programs?
Risa Kumon : There are many things that set R2 Radio’s shows apart from others but I’ll name a few. Firstly, we’re artists and creatives ourselves, so we’re able to provide a unique perspective on things. We understand the ins and outs of being an entertainer and the behind the-scenes aspects of the industry that others might not be aware of.
Roro: Another thing that sets us apart is our multilingualism. We strive to cater to both our English and Japanese-speaking audiences fluently. We’re also able to incorporate different cultures into our content. For example, I come from a rich American culture, growing up in a musical family and being exposed too many things related to music, entertainment, and being black in America.
Risa Kumon: And as a Japanese host, I bring a different cultural perspective that isn’t always represented in mainstream entertainment. We both have unique experiences and knowledge to offer, which we believe makes our shows stand out from others in the industry.
Can you walk us through the process of creating and producing one of your shows?
Roro: To create and produce our shows, we start by brainstorming topics and guests, researching extensively, and preparing questions to ensure we have a solid understanding of the subject matter. We then put a lot of thought into the structure and flow of the show, coming up with different segments and ideas to keep it engaging and interesting.
Risa Kumon: When it’s time to record, we make sure we have all the necessary equipment and technical support to ensure the best listening experience for our audience. We work closely with a team of editors who help us fine-tune the final product, from editing the audio to adding sound effects and music. Overall, we put a lot of care and attention into every aspect of the show to create something that’s both enjoyable and informative.
What have been some of your favorite moments or interviews on the show so far?
Roro: One of the things I really enjoy about hosting these shows is getting to talk to artists who have a broad mindset on life and have traveled extensively. I think it’s amazing when these artists step out of their comfort zones in Japan and represent their country on a global scale. We’ve had some fantastic Japanese guests on the show, such as Drum Tao, Yoshida brothers, Dj Krush, Terumasa Hino and many more. Speaking with Terumasa Hino, a legendary jazz trumpeter from Japan, was definitely a highlight for me. It was incredible to learn about his historic journey and his influence in the world of jazz. Hearing him talk about his experiences playing in NYC with some Jazz legends like Art Blakey or his encounters with Miles Davis was absolutely fascinating.
Risa Kumon: It’s hard to choose just one favorite moment or interview from our show because there have been so many incredible guests and inspiring stories. However, I have to say that some of my favorites have been our interviews with Take 6, Dj Jazzy Jeff, and Corinne Bailey Rae. These artists have all overcome obstacles and achieved tremendous success in their respective fields, and it was truly inspiring to hear their stories. As an artist myself, I found their journeys to be incredibly motivating, and I believe that their stories will inspire others as well.
What has been the biggest challenge in running R2 Radio Network?
Roro: The biggest challenge in running R2 Radio has been finding a balance between being a host and a recording artist/producer. It’s difficult to give 100% to both at the same time. We both have a passion for music and entertainment, but it’s not always easy to divide our time and energy between our personal projects and the responsibilities of running our shows.
Risa Kumon: I agree. It’s not easy to switch between being a host and an artist. Another challenge is maintaining the balance between showcasing new and innovative content while staying true to our mission of promoting cross-cultural exchange through music and entertainment. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to delivering the best content possible and continuing to grow and evolve as a network.
How do you separate your music career’s as Artist from the radio.
Roro: The line between music and radio is often blurred because they are both part of the entertainment industry. However, as a radio host, it’s important to remain unbiased and not let personal preferences influence the music selection or the way in which guests are interviewed. This is different from being an artist, where you have more freedom to create and express your personal taste.
Risa Kumon: I agree with Roro, and would also add that as a radio host, we are responsible for showcasing the guests and their talent to our audience. We want to create an environment where the guest feels comfortable and confident enough to share their story and music with our listeners. As entertainers ourselves, we have a unique perspective and understanding of the industry, which allows us to ask questions that the average viewer might not think of. It’s like talking to a member of our entertainment family.
How has being a radio host impacted your music careers?
Risa Kumon: Although being a radio host is not my primary focus, it has been a great opportunity for me to share my music with a wider audience. It allows me to debut my own music while also providing additional information about the song in real-time, such as the story behind it and the creative process. Despite the amount of work it requires, I believe being a radio host has benefited my music career.
Roro: Since I was offered the opportunity to be a radio host due to my music, I believe it has been beneficial for my music career as well. I love creating music and being a radio host has given me another avenue to explore in the music industry. Overall, I think being a radio host has been a positive experience for both of us.
How has the response been to R2 Radio Network from listeners in Japan and internationally?
Roro: The response has been amazing! Our platform provides a unique opportunity for people from both sides (the USA and Japan) to experience things they might not have seen before. It’s a wonderful way to showcase different aspects of Japanese culture to our American listeners, and vice versa.
Risa Kumon: Our listeners and viewers appreciate the fact that we strive to bring them unique and fresh content that they won’t find anywhere else. We are always looking for new ways to engage and entertain our audience, and it’s been incredible to see how positively people have responded to our shows. We are grateful for their support and we will continue to work hard to bring them the best content possible.
Could you share any details on your upcoming projects or collaborations?
Roro: Sure, we have so much in store for our listeners. Our main goal right now is to expand the R2 Radio network and connect with even more people around the world. We have a lot of exciting projects and collaborations in the works that we can’t reveal just yet. We want to surprise our listeners and keep them on the edge of their seats! So stay tuned, because big things are coming your way from R2 Radio Network.
Risa Kumon: Yes, we have so much in store for our listeners this year! We are thrilled to share that we have some amazing shows lined up that will keep you entertained and engaged. And, of course, I have some new music in the works that I can’t wait to share with you all. My latest single, “FREE,” has been gaining traction and receiving incredible feedback, and I’m excited to keep the momentum going with even more music releases soon. So stay tuned and keep your eyes and ears peeled for more exciting announcements from us! In the meantime, you can check out the “FREE” music video on my YouTube channel and see what all the buzz is about.
(Risa Kumon new single “FREE”)
Is there anything else you’d like to share with everyone?
Roro & Risa Kumon: Firstly, we would like to express our deep gratitude to all who have been supporting us throughout our musical journey. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful community that appreciates our work. We want to assure you that we have many exciting projects in the works, and we can’t wait to share them with you all. So, if you want to stay updated with our latest news, music releases, and shows, please visit our websites and follow us on our social media handles. You can watch all the previous episodes via our YouTube channel.
We will be updating it regularly (https://www.youtube.com/@r2radio) Once again, thank you for your love and support!
Stay up to date:
R2 Radio:
r2radiojp.com
Ig: @R2radio
YT: @r2radio
FB: https://www.facebook.com/R2RADIO
Risa Kumon:
https://risakumon.com
Ig: @RisaKumon
YT: @SingerRisa
FB: https://www.facebook.com/RisaKumonOfficial
stream: https://lnk.to/RISAKUMONFREE
Roro:
https://www.roromusic.com
IG: @Roromuzic
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Roromuzicofficial/
YT: @roromusic
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