Urban Radio Nation: September 2009

September 30, 2009

Mo'Nique Making Moves After Radio Show Cancellation

A New TV Talk Show, Movie and Body for Mo'Nique

In March MoNique’s syndicated radio show for Radio One ended its run strangely enough mid-week on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 after just eight months on the air.

Mo'Nique just wasn't cut out to do a daily radio show, even though Radio One CEO Alfred Liggins insisted that she was destined for radio stardom. Luckily many of Radio One's Urban AC stations placed the on-air hosts she replaced into other time slots and returned them to their old shifts after "The Mo'Nique Show" was canned. The comedienne insisted she had chosen to shut down "The Mo’Nique Show" in order to “further her career in television, film and comedy.”

Now when someone makes a statement like that in the entertainment industry it's usually just "talk" to soften the blow of getting fired. At best it's a bunch of code words for "my manager had better get working to find my next project!" However in this case, Mo'Nique has more than just a project going on. Mo'Nique has emerged from the radio show's cancellation to re-invent herself into a multi-faceted performer.

First up is the new Mo'Nique talk show to debut on BET next week at 11 p.m. The first show taped in Atlanta will feature Steve Harvey, Atlanta R&B singer Monica, Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin and singer Jeremih. The AJC's Rodney Ho covers the first taping of the show. Read report here and pics

Next up for Mo'Nique is a starring role in the November release of the film "Precious". The film won three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. Director Lee Daniels’ film is described as a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome, is already getting the "Oscar" buzz treatment. The dramatic film also stars Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz.

But Mo'Nique's most controversial move is her decision to lose weight. Many of her fans feel betrayed by the author of such books as "Skinny Women Are Evil" and "Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted." Mo'Nique says she knew it was time to lose weight when her husband, Sidney Hicks, watched her step off the scale at 262 pounds and said, "Baby, that's too much, and I want you for a lifetime." She talks at length with the Philadelphia Daily News about her decision to lose weight and her new film with fitness columnist Kimberly Garrison.

Tony Cox Gets a New Show on NPR "Upfront"

Great news for fans of NPR's News and Notes... (which was cancelled in March) How did this happened? Well Michael Eric Dyson pulled another "Michael Eric Dyson."

Tony Cox, who has worked with Tavis Smiley, Ed Gordon and Farai Chideya as they attempted to carve out an African American talk-show niche at National Public Radio, is being given his own public radio show, Cox told Journal-isms on Tuesday night.

The show will be part of the offerings of African American Public Radio Consortium, which in 2002 produced the Smiley show and in 2005 NPR's "News & Notes" program with first Gordon, then Chideya hosting. Cox worked on all three of those shows, and hosted the latter in its final days last year.

The consortium currently has "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin on NPR, and until now, "The Michael Eric Dyson Show," hosted by the Georgetown University professor and social critic, on 18 public radio stations.

"The Michael Eric Dyson show is no longer," Loretta Rucker, executive director of the consortium, told Journal-isms on Wednesday. "We had a good four months with Dr. Dyson but the arrangement eventually devolved over compensation."

Dyson a former midday host with Radio One's Syndication One talk network a few years ago, mysteriously disappeared from the line-up over money issues. The slot is now hosted by Warren Ballentine.

A Web site for Upfront with Tony Cox, http://www.upfrontnews.org/, is being constructed.

Read more in Richard Prince's Journal-isms

September 29, 2009

LaDawn Black Late Night Must See TV

Things heat up late night in Baltimore tonight; Promises to be just a little bit different from Letterman, Conan, and Jimmy Fallon.

LaDawn Black, relationship expert, author and radio personality debuts her new weekly television show LaDawn’s Loft on Wednesday, September 30th at 2am on Baltimore’s My 24 WUTB. LaDawn’s Loft is a love, sex and relationship show that will feature great guests, hot love topics, sexy products and loads of love Q & A. The show is being produced by E Media LLC and Black will also act as Executive Producer on the show.

Black says her motivation for LaDawn’s Loft was that “so many of my listeners really wanted to put a visual component to the radio show. They wanted to see the show guests, view the products, have the opportunity to be guests and even experience a few of the off the air show moments and LaDawn’s Loft offers all of that.”

E Media LLC says of Black and LaDawn’s Loft that “it was a no brainer to build on the radio and book success of LaDawn and bring her to a new medium. Viewers will be treated to her strong ability relate, great advice and fun delivery. Early reviews of the show have been strong. It is our hope to bring something fresh to the Baltimore market and then grow the show into other markets looking for a great relationship show.” For more information and to see a sample of LaDawn’s Loft visit www.ladawnblack.com.

Will Radio ‘Black out’ end in Pittsburgh?

Before his friend Harvey Adams died, media mogul Eddie Edwards spoke with him about about finding a way to replace the loss of WAMO, the city’s last Black radio station. And at Adams’ funeral, Edwards said he promised he would do it.

Now it appears, Edwards is just days away from fulfilling that promise. He told the New Pittsburgh Courier he is still nailing down some loose ends, but plans to hold a press conference making a formal announcement early next week.

“Don’t be surprised if I announce that I have negotiated a deal to buy a property and put a Black radio station back on the air,” he said. “The numbers of African-Americans in radio have diminished since deregulation in 1996. Radio has done a horrible job employing minorities in this town. That has me fired up. I am hopeful to have something formal about it in a few days when I will call a formal press conference with all concerned.”

Read more and comments

BET-J transforms into "Centric"

Have you heard BET has a new channel! They're not really making a big deal about it just yet.

BET and its Viacom parent company, MTV Networks, have launched "Centric", a new basic-cable network aimed at African-American adults. The new channel is a revamping of BET-J and will offer programs that are geared towards the same target audience of TV One.

Here's a news release from last April:

Viacom, the owner of BET, is forming a new cable television channel for middle-aged African-Americans, heightening the competition for the minority viewing audience.

The channel, to be named Centric and scheduled to make its debut in October, will be formally announced at an event for advertisers Thursday night. Centric will complement BET, executives say, by appealing to an older and more affluent audience.

The 29-year-old BET, available in 89 million homes, is the dominant network for black audiences. It attracts roughly four times as many viewers as TV One, its main competitor, which is owned by Comcast and Radio One and available in about 47 million homes. BET, with its reality shows, movies and music videos, primarily draws a teenage and young adult audience.
Cable channel start-ups are rare. With hundreds of channels already in operation, new ones often struggle to earn a spot on cable lineups, but Viacom said it would be able to assemble 45 million homes for the premiere of Centric.

Viacom executives would not comment on whether BET J, a small music-oriented offshoot of the network, would be affected by the formation of Centric.

As Viacom considered the 25- to 54-year-old target demographic for Centric, it realized that "a perfect example would be" Barack and Michelle Obama, said Scott Mills, the president of BET.
Centric will be operated jointly by the BET and MTV Networks divisions of Viacom. Viacom's channels include Nickelodeon and MTV. Doug Creutz, an analyst for Cowen & Company, called the niche strategy valid but incremental. "They're not going to hit any home runs doing this, but it can grow their reach over time," he said.

Mr. Creutz said the African-American adult audience had "been underserved," and pointed to the series of successful movies by Tyler Perry as evidence that "there's money to be made at targeting that audience."

Should we infer that since the channel has launched before its expected October date, that we know who is and who is not in charge of the Centric channel? They don't seem to be on "CP" time over there even though the Soul Train Awards have been revived back in Atlanta this November!

But as for African American targeted music video programming on TV, the rarely seen and not widely available, VH1 Soul, another MTV Network Channel, is by far the best music TV channel out there. So perhaps the channels will join forces and offer a wide variety of musical synergy. Take a peek at Centric here.

BPEP of Pittsburgh urges FCC to fill void left by WAMO

Tim Stevens, chairman of the Black Political Empowerment Project, has released an "open letter" to the Federal Communications Commission noting the end of WAMO as a radio voice for Pittsburgh's black community and asking "all appropriate bodies" to support the creation of one or more "Afro-centric" radio stations in the greater Pittsburgh market.

WAMO-FM, the city's only urban radio format, was sold earlier this year by Sheridan Broadcasting, along with two other Sheridan stations, WAMO-AM and WPGR-AM. The buyer is St. Joseph Missions, which plans to use them for Catholic religious programming.

The signals for all three stations have been dead for two weeks. The sale to St. Joseph Missions was announced in May. Source Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Back in June, some Pittsburgh radio listeners basically had a lackluster attitude towards the impending sale of WAMO.

September 28, 2009

According to Reports: Ebony Magazine Cancels the Fashion Fair Event and is Looking for a Buyer for the Publication

Johnson Publishing’s chairman and CEO, Linda Johnson Rice has reached what must have been an agonizing decision: Johnson Publishing is seeking a buyer or investor for its flagship publication, Ebony, in an effort aimed at securing the survival of the nation’s oldest magazine devoted to African-American life. It’s unclear whether the company’s other properties, including Jet, would be part of a possible sale.

According to media and investment executives familiar with the developments, Chicago-based Rice, the daughter of Ebony’s legendary founder, the late John H. Johnson, has approached, among others, Time Inc., Viacom, and private investors that include buyout firms. Time Inc., the world’s largest periodical publisher, already owns Essence, a monthly lifestyle, beauty, and fashion magazine for African-American women. Viacom, meanwhile, owns BET (Black Entertainment Television). Read more

Egypt Invited Back This Week on WBLS

TV/Radio Personality Egypt Sherrod lets her fans know on her site EgyptSaidSo.com, that she's thankful for their support and 107.5 WBLS has invited her back to host 2p-6p this week. Egypt promises "a BIG week" on the radio.

Meanwhile Kesha Monk had a successful run at WBLS last week and both her and Egypt lead the voting for afternoon host at WBLS. Both have distanced themselves from the rest of the pack.

The listeners of New York radio have clearly let management at WBLS know that a professional radio personality is who they prefer. You can vote for your favorite host at http://www.wbls.com/.

LaDawn Black Launches New TV Show

Late night host of The Love Zone, LaDawn Black, on 92Q (WERQ) , invites everyone to a "Brazilian Carnivale" themed party on Friday, October 2nd at Velvet Rope in Baltimore. "We will be launching my TV Show on My24 - LaDawn's Loft, celebrating my new book - TEASE and of course getting our Libra thing on for my birthday!"

Help for DJ Infamous of V-103 Comes from Twitter

From AJC ATLANTA Peach Buzz - Thanks to thousands of his fans on Twitter, word has spread on the social media Website about Austell flood victim DJ Infamous and his neighbors whose homes were invaded by Sweetwater Creek this week.

The V-103 DJ and Velvet Room fixture (whose high-profile fans include Jermaine Dupri, Young Jeezy and Fat Joe) lost everything in this week’s floods.

On Tuesday, his publicist Tahira Wright sent out a media release, stating: “Infamous lost everything, including all of his DJ equipment. He has a one week old son!”
The release also informed Infamous’ fans they could help out by dropping off donations (including baby items) to the Velvet Room this week.

A Bank of America account has been set up specifically to take donations as well: C/O Calvin Donald, Bank of America # 334004909289.

Music bloggers then posted the information Tuesday.
Within minutes, fans of the V-103 DJ began re-tweeting the info on the social media site and help has poured in as fast as the flood water.

“He’s in good spirits,” Wright told Buzz Wednesday: “He and the baby are staying at his manager’s house right now.”

Wright acknowledges that Twitter has played a significant role in distributing information regarding the flood.

“Infamous is just as concerned for his neighbors right now,” she added. “It’s nice to see everyone pulling together to help each other. Everyone in Atlanta’s music community is on Twitter. It’s where we’re all connected. When something like this happens, it’s a great tool to use to get the word out.”

However not everyone in the Atlanta area are happy about helping for DJ Infamous. Some other tweets about DJ Infamous express the following sentiments:

Is V-103 SERIOUSLY trying to raise money for DJ Infamous?? Um, what about people with NO JOB because of the recession?? Ugh. I hate people.

Prayers go out to #djinfamous...but V-103 really should be helping you while we focus on the people that began with less than you did

Hate is an amazing thing, isn't it?

It Must Be the Season for Second Chances: R. Kelly Back on Tour

Yesterday Michael Vick played his first NFL game since 2006, and we learned that Chris Brown will be one of the headliners for the Powerhouse Concert for New York's Power 105.1 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey in October AND R&B singer R.Kelly is back on tour as Power 92 in Chicago is giving its listeners the chance to win free concert tickets.

Do you remember Sesame Street song, "One of these things is not like the other"? Well if you do, then how about this song "Which of these dudes did not serve any time or community service!"

Now who would actually send or allow their teenage daughter to go to a R. Kelly concert after his infamous interview with Toure on BET. As Eddie from the Barbershop movie might say, "That was R-rah Kelly on that video."

September 27, 2009

President Obama Addresses the Health Care Issue at the CBC

President Obama continued his campaign/media blitz for health care reform in the United States. He ended the week with a speech at the Congressional Black Caucus Weekend after five Sunday Morning TV political show appearances a week ago along with a guest shot on the Late Night with David Letterman show.

President Barack Obama used a dinner-time address to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Saturday night to make an impassioned plea for health care reform, placing it in the tradition of the civil rights struggle.

Obama, who last year addressed the group as one of its members, was hailed as "our great president" by caucus chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). The crowd was jubilant as Obama came to the stage with first lady Michelle Obama, who Rep. Kendrick Meek introduced, saying she had "brought a new flavor to this country."

Delivering the keynote address at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Phoenix Awards to a group of about 3,000 people at a black tie dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Obama gave a speech that at several points evoked his remarks at the NAACP convention in July.

September 26, 2009

Common: 'Obama effect' Steering Rap Away from Rims, Bling

Common politely declines comment on friends Kanye West and Serena Williams

ATLANTA, Georgia - Rims and bling? They’re “super-played out,” Common said, explaining that hip-hop is finding another direction and President Obama is helping point the way. Common spoke of the “Obama effect” before a recent performance in Atlanta during the Hennessy Artistry Series.

The Chicago, Illinois-born rapper/actor, who has appeared in the movies “Wanted” and “American Gangster,” spoke on a variety of topics, including the virtues of playing with live bands such as The Roots, who are co-hosting the series with him.

However, he skirted questions about recent outbursts by rapper Kanye West and tennis star Serena Williams. West is a friend and fellow Chicago rapper who has produced two of Common’s albums, and Williams is reportedly dating Common.

“People that I care about, that I consider being friends of mine, most of the things I discuss with them I wouldn’t discuss in public because it’s a real relationship,” he said. “It’s not a relationship for the public, you know?”

He did, however, spend a few minutes providing a progress report on Obama’s influence on hip-hop. Nine months ago, Common told CNN he believed Obama’s presidency would change the attitudes of many hip-hop artists.

“I think hip-hop artists will have no choice but to talk about different things and more positive things, and try to bring a brighter side to that because, even before Barack, I think people had been tired of hearing the same thing,” he said in December.

On Saturday, Common said he is already seeing signs that Obama is making a mark on a musical genre often vilified because of its focus on drugs, violence and the degradation of women.

Common makes some valid points, but to a certain extent it's just the natural progression and evolution of the hip hop genre and any other kind of musical/artistic expression. "Rims, Tims, and Bling" has just simply become tired commercially. But hip hop, as it stands now, that doesn't glorify drugs, violence and degrade women will not achieve commercial success and will always be on the fringe. Now someone please explain LOL :) -because this kind of garbage always seems to be popular.

September 25, 2009

Jay-Z on Oprah

Now Oprah likes Rap? Oprah visits Jay-Z at Marcy Projects in Brooklyn and discuss Blueprint 3, Beyonce, Rihanna, Rocawear and more. Oprah settles her beef with Hip-Hop and Jay-Z also teaches Oprah how to freestyle... sort of.

September 24, 2009

The First Annual WEEN Awards Hosted by MC Lyte and Terrence J

The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN online.org) will honor award-winning actor, Vivica A. Fox; actor/author Hill Harper; actor/philanthropist Malinda Williams; Chief Global Diversity Officer of McDonald's Corporation, Pat Harris; EVP of Urban Marketing for Universal Motown, Shanti Das; and HIV/AIDS Activist, Maria Davis at the First Annual WEEN Awards.

Hosts include entertainment icon MC Lyte and national television personality/actor Terrence J. Presenters include media personalities Angie Martinez, Rocsi, Jeff Johnson, Alesha Renee, Big Tigger and WEEN Chair Valeisha Butterfield. Scholarships will be granted to two deserving college students in the DC area by WEEN.

The First Annual WEEN Awards will honor individuals with a proven commitment to the empowerment of women worldwide. The Awards will serve as an annual fundraiser to support the on-going non-profit, educational programs for women, of all ages and races, of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN).

It all takes place Friday, September 25, 2009 (during the Annual Legislative Caucus Weekend) with the Pink Carpet between 5:00 - 6:00 PM and Awards Reception from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Building located at 1025 F Street, N.W., 10th Floor in Washington, D.C.

The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, WEEN is a worldwide coalition of women, all ages and races, committed to supporting, promoting and defending the balanced, positive portrayal of women in entertainment and in society. Led by Chair, Valeisha Butterfield and Co-Founders Kristi Henderson, Sabrina Thompson and Lauren Lake, WEEN is a non-profit, global organization.

Wendy Williams Comments on Whitney's Oprah Interview

Comments on the YouTube page range from: "Wendy is being real" to "Wendy is just hatin' on Whitney". Whatever your opinion the main question remains: When is Whitney coming on The Wendy Williams TV Show?

September 23, 2009

NOW Sam Sylk is back on the air at Chicago's Power 92.3

More than four years ago Power 92.3 (WPWX) planned to hire 107.5 WGCI's afternoon jock Sam Sylk. When things didn't work out, Sam became morning man at Power 99 in Philly. After Philly, Sam was the afternoon host at Z109.7 (WENZ) in Cleveland.

Then came the news: Crawford Broadcasting announced Sylk was returning to Chicago as WPWX's new afternoon drive host, effective Monday July 20th. He was replacing Donnie Devoe, who left the station on June 29th.

“I am so excited to join my new radio family," Sylk said in a statement. "Power 92 is a station that’s dedicated to giving Chicago real radio for Chicago. I can’t wait to be a part of this all-star line up."

But then something happened... Radio One evoked a "non-compete" clause we hear and prevented Sam from getting on the air in Chicago. Basically it states that Sam Sylk could not go on the air and compete against another Radio One station in the same state. Well how can that be? Radio One doesn't have a station in Chicago or Illinois???

But Power 92.3 is based in nearby Hammond, Indiana and there's Radio One stations in Indianapolis. Even though Sam was the afternoon host on Radio One's Cleveland station Z107.9. Yeah we know that's OHIO!

But now everything has worked itself out and Chicago is ready to welcome back Sam with open arms.

Sam Sylk family Time from Sam Sylk on Vimeo.

September 22, 2009

Kesha Monk this week on 107.5 WBLS

Over? Not just yet ...the WBLS contest is not over.

This week Kesha Monk, veteran New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago radio personality will grace the airwaves in New York City. As Kesha writes on her facebook page "HEY FB Fam, I'm live on WBLS this week from 2p-6p. Go to www.wbls.com and click the listen live button. Feel free to text me at 77522 or call me at 212.545.1075 to join in today's discussion." You can post on her wall on facebook.

Kesha most recent gig was as midday host at 98.7 Kiss FM and co-host with American Idol's Randy Jackson weekend syndicated show.

I'm happy to see talented and professional on-air hosts are getting a chance to do radio once again.

Clear Channel Radio sued over the cancellation of The Tom Joyner Show on V103 WVAZ

The company that produces "The Tom Joyner Morning Show" on Monday filed suit in Dallas against Clear Channel Broadcasting over the nationally syndicated radio program's cancellation by Chicago's WVAZ-FM 102.7 this spring.

The suit, filed by Reach Media in Texas' Dallas County District Court, alleges breach of contract by Clear Channel and claims Reach is out more than $800,000 in affiliation fees and net advertising revenue lost from May until the end of this year.

"We do not comment on pending legal matters, however, related to this filing we will only state that we were given no notice to 'Tom Joyner Morning Show's' termination from WVAZ," Reach said in a statement. "We do expect Clear Channel to compensate 'The Tom Joyner Morning Show' as specified in our contract."Clear Channel Radio Chicago, in its own statement, said it is "company policy not to comment on legal matters.”

Joyner's show was dropped by Clear Channel's V103 after 13 years on March 23. The move to replace it with Steve Harvey's syndicated program, which had been airing on sister station WGCI-FM 107.5, came without warning.

Reach's suit says it should receive $116,644 in affiliation fees for May through the end of this year and $694,416 in lost net advertising revenue for the same period, with $426,144 for the morning show and another $268,272 for Joyner's weekend highlights program.

By the way Reach Media is a media syndication company that was founded by Tom Joyner and his sons. A few years ago Radio One bought into the company and are now part owners of Reach Media. Read more in the Chicago Tribune>>

Raqiyah Mays Let Go by 98.7 Kiss FM Morning Show

Urban AC WRKS 98.7 KISS FM New York has let go co-host Raqiyah Mays. This completes the overhaul of the morning show at Kiss FM which now features D.L. Hughley and Jacque Reed. In recent months former host Jeff Foxx along with comedian Talent were let go from the station.

Raqiyah who replaced midday host Shaila on the morning show, can still be heard on Sirius XM radio. The only former member of the morning show that remains in veteran news man Bob Slade.

September 21, 2009

Egypt Wraps Up Her Week on 107.5 WBLS-FM with All Star Lineup

I think we have a winner...

Radio/TV personality and blogger (www.EgyptSaidSo.com), Egypt, brought a power-packed week of hosting the afternoon slot on 107.5 WBLS–FM to a close last Friday. Egypt quarterbacked the highly coveted afternoon shift with thought-provoking conversation about relationships and current affairs, capped off by compelling interviews with an All-Star lineup of celebrities. The 2pm-6pm slot on WBLS was recently vacated by Wendy Williams.

Egypt’s guests on the afternoon shift included the following: Idris Elba (Internationally renowned actor and celebrity DJ) Tachina Arnold (Actress from the sitcoms “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Martin”) Michael Strahan (Retired NY Giants Super Bowl Champion, Commentator for FOX NFL Sunday, Star of new sitcom “Brothers” on FOX) Darelle Revis (Cornerback for NY Jets) Beverly Kearney (Coach of University of Texas ’ award-winning Women’s Track & Field team) Toni Braxton (Multi-platinum/Grammy award winning singer) Deborah Cox, Tamia & Kelly Price (uber successful R&B songstresses announcing their new album collaboration entitled “The Queen Project) “Coko” Clemons (Lead singer of legendary group SWV and grammy nominated gospel artist) Bill Bellamy (Comedian and Host of “You Got Jokes” on TV One)Tommy Davidson (Comedian and star of the new film “Black Dynamite”) Dr. Michelle Callahan (Psychologist, Host of FOX’s “Wedlock Or Deadlock,” author of “Ms. Typed”) Jeff Johnson (BET commentator, civic activist, minister, author) Joanne Christopher-Mitchell (Sr. Vice President of American Recruiters, Inc.)

Egypt Sherrod is a nationally syndicated television & radio personality and blogger. She is the host of “Bartender Wars,” a new show debuting in 55 million households, Friday, October 2 at 10:30pm ET/11:30pm PT on FLN (Fine Living Network). Egypt is a special correspondent for “The Maury Show” which is viewed in over 95% of the country. She was a weekly pundit on “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,” the entertainment reporter for BET’s “The Black Carpet,” and co-host of the syndicated daytime TV hit, “Home Delivery.” The award winning broadcast talent previously hosted the midday shift on 107.5 WBLS from 2001 to 2003. Best known as the co-host of the Power 105.1’s Morning Show in New York City , Egypt is also credited as being a highly rated stapled on other radio stations such as 100.3 The Beat in Philadelphia and 92Q in Baltimore . She is the voice of Premiere Radio Network’s “Synopsis” entertainment report which is broadcast in over 60 markets on the “Live in the Den with Big Tigger.” Egypt has been featured on CNN’s HLN network, in The New York Daily News, NY Post, Time Out New York , BE Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Source Magazine, Hip Hop Weekly, as well as various other mainstream publications. She was named #2 on R&R Magazine‘s “Power Player on the Rise” Top 10 list. Her popular lifestyle/entertainment/currents event blog, www.EgyptSaidSo.com boasts traffic of 13+ million hits per month.

As we said last week, the contest to find Wendy Williams' replacement would probably continue until WBLS found a radio personality that could out poll Salt N' Pepa... Well Egypt has finally done it.

Here are the lastest results: Salt N' Pepa ( 26% ) Osei
( 4% ) Chubb Rock ( 14% ) Jeff Foxx ( 20% ) Adimu ( 4% ) and Egypt ( 32% )

September 20, 2009

WURD 900 AM Adds The Rob Redding Show

Talk radio show host Robert "Rob" Redding Jr. has extended his nationally-syndicated program, named after his award-winning Web site Redding News Review, into Philadelphia.

Redding's three-hour independent news radio program begins airing every Sunday on 900 AM WURD from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. this weekend.

"Philadelphia is a very important city for my growing news radio program," Redding said. "I thank WURD's management for supporting the program and I look forward to being on the air in a city that I have long admired."

Redding, who is known as "America's Independent Voice," already has a weekly podcast that is downloaded by hundreds each week on his "Black Web Award"-winning Web site, ReddingNewsReview.com. He is also a frequent guest on National Public Radio and the Fox News Channel, and has been quoted in some of the nation's top newspapers. His site has been called a "clearinghouse for African American news" by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper. Redding's show is heard on XM 169 and terrestrial radio via the Genesis Communications Network.

The GCN network airs the show on KTAE-AM in Waco, TX and Austin; KKGN-AM in Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose; WLMC-AM in Myrtle Beach and Charleston; WMEL-AM in Melbourne, Fla.; WVNA-AM in Tuscumbia, Ala.; and throughout Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi on KMLB-AM.

Damon Dash Set to Launch an Online Radio Station

Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon "Dame" Dash has announced plans to launch a new radio station venture called Magnet Radio which, he claims, will place the emphasis on music over financial gain. Dash said the Internet radio station would cater to global music heads' needs.

"I think it's gonna launch in a couple weeks and it's just really for good music," he revealed in an interview. "It's not about getting money or all the ads, or things like that, it's really about giving people a platform to hear good music...I think the whole world is getting ready to turn for that. It feels like good music is gonna take the forefront and people with a good show. I think that's the good business model." Source: Sohh, XXL Magazine

September 18, 2009

"Fox News" Radio Station in Florida Goes to FM

More and more people are listening to conservative radio, right? Not really, It's good marketing. What has really gotten out of hand is the media coverage of Conservative Radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.

Here's the announcement:

"I’m very excited to announce that you will now be able to hear the best line up in News/Talk Radio in stereo on 92.5 FM! For the next 12 months you will still be able to tune in to 1270/1240 AM but if you are at home or at work you can now tune to 92.5 FOX News.92.5 is a 50,000 Watt station that covers the entire market perfectly. No more scratchy AM signal. No more “I can’t get it at home”. We are now on the FM dial!!! The increased strength of our new position on the FM dial will increase our reach and time spent listening. So for all you advertisers out there, that means more ears for your message!! Make the switch today!!! 92.5 FOX News Thanks for listening -Matt Langlois 92.5 FOX News"

This station killed off the “Oldies 92.5” format on WNTY in Ft. Myers and replaced it with their AM talk station. The new “92.5 Fox News” is a simulcast of its two AM sister stations (WINK, Ft. Myers (1240) and WNOG, Naples 1270). The three stations featured Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck, Mark Levin and Laura Ingraham, plus Fox News at the top of the hour.

The media buzz surrounding "the conservative viewpoints" spouted each day on talk radio is definitely over the top. But the amount of listeners these stations get on a whole is not as much as you may think. (Even though Glenn Beck is on the cover of TIME magazine and Rush Limbaugh will appear on Jay Leno next week.) The good thing is that people are actually talking about radio...Radio is dead? HA!

September 17, 2009

WBLS, New York's Urban AC Radio Continues it's Search for Wendy Williams' Replacement

Is 107.5 WBLS running a contest that never ends? A better question might be what's the point of all of this?

So far WBLS listeners have heard on the air the last six weeks: Jeff Foxx, Osei the Dark Secret, Chubb Rock, Adimu and this week the afternoon airwaves are being graced by Egypt Sherrod. Oh and let me mention the leading vote getter is none other than Salt N' Pepa. Hey it's what the people want...

Maybe a name from the past such as this famous New York disc jockey might be on the air next week. Well that's what they use to call them.

Which one of those two men pictured here am I talking about? It has to be Ken 'Spider' Webb, (on the left) the former morning man on WBLS and 98.7 Kiss FM, who currently host mornings on Soul Town on Sirius XM radio. Not likely... The other guy of course is Frankie Crocker, who unfortunately died in 2000 and is credited with coining the phrase and the format known as Urban Contemporary in the late 1970's. However today we call it Urban "Adult" Contemporary.

Now if Frankie was still alive he'd probably die all over again and spin in his grave over what the format has evolved into. I turn on Urban AC radio nowadays and I almost have to scream at what I'm listening to. I always thought contemporary means modern and current. (Think of furniture. Urban AC radio is like a combination of Early American, Colonial and Pennsylvania Dutch.)

I'm sure that relatively "new", "cool", and "hip" was the essence of the format when Frankie developed it. Frankie Crocker received a lot of industry buzz for incorporating a mass appeal format. He was crazy enough to put Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" in rotation at the station. Of course that would only work in NYC, but at the time Sinatra's song was "current." So that type of out of the box programming with a strong roster of talent led to WBLS soaring to the #1 spot in New York until 'KTU and Kiss FM came along.

But now we have an over researched format that continues to push music from the likes of Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Sade, and most recently, thankfully Maxwell. All in all there's nothing wrong with these artists, but the continuous dose of this ballad laden music is monotonous. Meanwhile we see the rise of the Rhythmic AC format, also known as "MoViN" in various cities around the country. That format has seemed to tap into something that can be regionalized to the taste of the audience.

For my money I need a jock who shares his musical taste with me as the listener. The same corporate playlist emailed to program directors all over the country each week has taken a toll on radio listeners. I say leave the programming to the on-air personality. That of course is heresy. But if music radio wants to get out of it's dwindling and eroding listener base; then a return of the local DJ who is allowed to share his musical taste with his or her listeners is the way to go.

For the most part WBLS does a more than average job of staying out of the Urban AC programming rut and they sound like "New York." WHUR does a good job also for what they are- "Sounds like Washington." But in all honesty I still appreciate Donnie Simpson at WPGC, who programs his show with such songs as Kool Moe Dee - How Ya Like Me Now, Maxwell - Pretty Wings, Jay-Z - Run This Town (w/ Rihanna & Kanye West), Mary Mary - God In Me, Anita Baker - Sweet Love. It works for me and many other Washington area listeners. I would love to hear Donnie on an Urban AC station.

Now WBLS just remember you're not a reality TV show, a talk/celebrity gossip show, or a refuge for Old School Hip Hop artists. You're "in a class by itself", a radio station that plays music. Maybe the contest will continue until they find a radio personality that can get more votes than Salt N' Pepa...

September 16, 2009

New "Urban Music" Formats that Don't Serve the African American Community

If only we could report a NEW urban radio station is coming to your city... this is about as close as we could ever get.

Clear Channel Radio's KFMK-FM, the former Jammin' 105.9 in Austin drops Rhythmic AC after two and half years; turns to Hip Hop as "105.9 The Beat." The move puts "The Beat" in a head to head battle with Hot 93.3 KDHT-FM. The station plays a mix of artists like Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Drake, Rhianna and Jay-Z. However Ryan Seacrest will remain on the station as the syndicated midday host.

Market Manager Pamela McKay said, "As the makeup of Austin's population grows in diversity, we know this mass appeal format will super-serve our growing community as well as the needs of the advertisers." I almost have to laugh at such a "politically correct" statement. What you mean is- "We play Black music but we don't have Black listeners."

Last week in Detroit, Clear Channel flipped it's Country music station “106.7 The Fox” to the Rhythmic AC format as "106.7 The Beat." Same deal with this "Beat" except it appeals to an older demographic. Here's some of the songs they play: Madonna – Into The Groove; Rihanna – Pon De Replay; Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough and Mary J. Blige – Family Affair.

In an advertising world that secretly dictates "don't buy commercials on Black radio stations", a practice that continues to go on year after year despite high ratings for many urban stations around the country; it's safe to say we won't ever see another new Black FM radio station in a major city. That's right. Ever again.

What's the most likely senario? New corporate owners will take the format of a Black radio station and change it to something they feel will make them more money. There will be minimal protests from the public and bye-bye it's gone.

The only company able to do radio with music made by African American artists for the African American community in the past was Radio One. However during this economy and because of some of their past financial decisions, we can hardly expect Radio One to buy a new station any time soon.

Pittsburgh could use one and Boston could use one on FM. But don't hold your breath... In the past President and CEO Alfred C. Liggins III said that while Boston was a “wonderful” radio market, “it is not of great strategic importance to us.” That would probably apply to Pittsburgh as well.

Meanwhile radio corporations keep looking for that "magic" formula that will bring in great ratings and strangely enough it includes a lot of Black music.

September 15, 2009

Kayne West on the new Jay Leno Show

Kanye West's appearance on the new Jay Leno show trumps Jerry Seinfeld, Jay-Z, Rihanna and even Whitney's interview for Oprah's new season.

(from Rolling Stone) Since Jay Leno announced the first-ever musical guest on his new The Jay Leno Show would be Jay-Z with Rihanna and Kanye West a few weeks ago, anticipation has been building for what was to be the “Umbrella” star’s return to the spotlight — her first major televised appearance since she was assaulted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown in February.

But all eyes were on Leno for an unexpected reason: Kanye West. After igniting a firestorm of controversy by
invading the MTV Video Music Awards stage on Sunday night to protest Beyoncé’s loss of Best Female Video to Taylor Swift, West spent most of the day uncharacteristically under the radar, posting an apology on his blog in which he said he felt as awkward as Ben Stiller in Meet the Parents. On Leno, West was greeted by cheers. He apologized, called his actions on the VMAs “rude,” and vowed to take time off to address personal problems that may have led to his unexpected rant.

Leno thanked West for appearing on his show despite the drama, and added that West wanted to take the opportunity to speak to the public. Saying his day had been “extremely difficult,” West acknowledged he had spent the afternoon “dealing with the fact that I hurt someone or took anything away from a talented artist.” Reflecting on the few seconds that got him booted from MTV’s ceremony at Radio City Musical Hall, West said he knew his stunt had gone awry “As soon as I gave the mic back to her and she didn’t keep going.”

Adding that he has spent his life trying to help people, West said, “My entire life, I’ve only wanted to give and do something that I felt was right. And I immediately knew in the situation that it was wrong, and it wasn’t a spectacle … it’s actually someone’s emotions, you know, that I stepped on.”

West concluded that his outburst was “rude, period” and said he wishes to apologize to Swift in person. When Leno asked West what his deceased mother, Donda, what would have said about this situation, West looked wounded and took a moment to respond, wiping his forehead as Leno pressed on, asking if she’d give him a lecture... Read more in Rolling Stone Magazine online...

September 14, 2009

Kanye West is at it Again!!! Interrupting the President?

Kanye West will not be invited to the next health care debate.

Please support the Taylor Swift defense fund at KanyeWestYouAreAFrickinJerkForStealingMyMoment.org

Frankie Darcell replaces Michael Baisden at Deroit's Mix 92.3

Clear Channel Urban AC station Mix 92.3 WMXD will replace Michael Baisden with popular local host Frankie Darcell. She will move back into the afternoon shift with "The Afternoon Mix." Frankie was placed into the midday slot after Mix 92.3 acquired the Baisden show a few years ago.

Could this be a growing trend for radio stations to move away from syndicated radio shows? We saw the same thing in Los Angeles at KDAY last month where now the station has all local hosts. However Clear Channel Radio wouldn't seem to be a company that would just dump a syndicated show if the prospect of making more by selling more local commercials for a local show makes more financial sense. It's much cheaper to run a syndicated show, so you can imagine how popular Frankie is in Detroit.

Station vet Oneil Stevens will take over the middays from 10am to 3pm. Meanwhile could Michael Baisden show up across town on Radio One's Kiss 105.9 WDMK?

CNN Guest Tim Wise: Republicans Are Stoking "White Racial Resentment"

Glenn Beck says that Van Jones was involved in the L.A. Riots. Are there any limits on what THEY will say?

Tim Wise an activist against racism talks about the conservative media and the tone it's setting within the Republican Party with CNN's Don Lemon. Even though the video is titled: "Republicans Are Stoking White Racial Resentment," Isn't it really the conservative media or as Tim Wise calls it the "Mouthpiece" that is irresponsibly leading this dangerous and racially charged tone in this country at the moment? The Republican Party are taking their cues from Fox News and the Rush Limbaugh Show. You don't hear from Republicans like Sen. John McCain; you hear from talk show hosts and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Despite what Michael Steele said earlier this year on the D.L. Hughley Show about him being the head of the Republican Party; Rush Limbaugh really is in charge of the Republican Party. Mr. Steele your party is out of control!

September 11, 2009

Howard Stern, That's Right, Howard Stern calls opposition to Obama school speech 'racist'

Howard Stern pissed off a boatload of Republicans by labeling opposition to the Obama school speech as "racist" on his radio program. Stern expressed his opinion that the only reason that the Obama school speech has set off a new wave of socialist finger-pointing stems from the fact that President Obama is half black, and that racism has distorted the objectivity of those who are against the Obama school speech.

Howard Stern is no stranger to claims of racism himself. Early in his career a young Stern appeared on the TV program "Petey Greene's Washington" hosted by the legendary WOL radio host in the late 1970s. Howard Stern has recently added members of the KKK to his "Wack Pack". (...because the members are suppose to be "wack"). Howard Stern has also drawn accusations of racism from those who viewed his roasting of former New York City Mayor David Dinkens as offensive. Howard Stern would call his own racist commentary as satirical rather than sincerely racist. Despite the complete freedom of speech that Howard Stern and his crew enjoy on satellite radio, the one word that Howard Stern still won't permit to be said on air is n*****.

Even though Howard Stern enjoys some liberties and freedoms on Satellite radio (and has made well over $500 million with Sirius); maybe it's time for him to return to terrestrial radio. He would definitely give the Rush Limbaughs of the world a run for their money.

Stern is practically the only major national radio host to have an opinion contrary to conservative politically right leaning host. He was highly critically of the last presidential administration and came under much scrutiny from the FCC for the content of his show. Stern was under the impression that he was forced to leave radio because of conservative political pressure and the constant fines he was receiving from the FCC.

September 10, 2009

Colby Colb Heads Up Cleveland's Radio One Stations

Cleveland's Radio One cluster has named its replacement for former operations manager/program director Kim Johnson.

Colby Colb has been named Operations Manager for all Radio One Cleveland stations, and Program Director for WENZ Z107.9 and WZAK 93.1 FM, starting in October. Colby previously worked as an on-air personality and Program Director at Radio One Philadelphia's 100.3 The Beat.

Radio One Cleveland VP/GM Chris Forgy states: "We are delighted to have Colby Colb join the Cleveland team. Colby's vast experience in programming, promotions, interactive as well as his leadership skills make him a perfect fit for our cluster. Colby is a radio rat and that's a good thing. Our properties are already #1 in the market and we are looking forward to having Colby be an integral part of not only being number one, but also being the best!"

Shhh.... Power 99 has an Announcement

As I search the website of one particular radio station known as WUSL Power 99, I began to wonder who is the new morning host at the station? I hear that it's Tarsha Jones. She's been hosting the last two weeks. The Clear Channel station has yet to post an announcement or a publicity still of any kind. Let's help them out just a bit.

I know who's appearing at October's Powerhouse... but I want to know the name of the morning host when I log onto the website. I see I can check out the photos and videos from The "Making the Morning Show." That's some brilliant marketing, huh? You mean to tell me even Day 26 hosted one morning. That's amazing. Can anyone say "Ciroc?"

Whatever is going on over there looks like a lot of what was going on when Big Boy's Neighborhood was the morning show at Power 99. Sometimes he appeared on the website, sometimes he didn't. Seems like that website is not much of a concern to Clear Channel or very important to them at all. Uh-OH, (don't even say that, hush your mouth. That's just rumors!)

Anyway congrats to Tarsha. New York's "Miss Jones in the Morning" and Philadelphia's "Jonesy".

At the beginning of this contest, oops I mean making of the morning show; it wasn't too hard to figure out that Jonesy would get the gig. Three of the mornings featured Shamara; The Hot Boys with Monie Love; and Golden Girl, already hosts at Power 99. One morning was hosted by no radio experience having singer Lil' Mo and then there was Jonesy.

Now the following week hosts were added that were not a part of the original line up. So even if the audience absolutely loved the hosts from that week... (sigh)

you couldn't vote for them even if you waned to...SMH.

September 9, 2009

Pittsburgh's WAMO Radio and Urban Radio in Western Pennsylvania is now Silent...

Pittsburgh's African American Community is no longer served by local radio

St. Joseph Ministries has completed its acquisition of three Pittsburgh stations from Sheridan Broadcasting for $8.9 million. Included in the deal were Urban AC WAMO-AM, Urban WAMO-FM and Gospel WPGR-AM. All three outlets have gone dark ahead of what is sure to be Religious programming.

Sheridan, which has stations in Atlanta, Buffalo and Birmingham along with the American Urban Radio Networks, plans to maintain its headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh.

WAMO has been a part of Pittsburgh's history for 55 years. WAMO-AM began in Homestead in 1948 as WHOD. In 1956, the call letters were changed to WAMO (to represent the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers). WAMO-FM went on the air in 1960.

R.I.P. WAMO

1948-2009

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has felt it was necessary to issue a statement upon the sale of WAMO.

-"Despite rumors, perhaps especially in the African-American community, the Diocese of Pittsburgh is not buying three Pittsburgh-area radio stations, including WAMO-AM and WAMO-FM, and converting the stations to Catholic programming, diocesan officials say.

“The group purchasing WAMO is an independent group of laypersons who want to promote the use of media by Catholics, and are not affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh in any way,” said Father Ron Lengwin, diocesan spokesman.
The three stations have been sold by a subsidiary of Sheridan Broadcasting Corp. to St. Joseph Missions, a filing with the Federal Communications Commission indicated, and the stations reportedly will be converted to Catholic programming.

The original filing with the FCC on May 19 indicated WAMO-AM 860, WAMO-FM 106.7 and WPGR-AM 1510, with transmitters in Beaver Falls, Millvale and Monroeville, respectively, were sold by MCL/MCM Pennsylvania LLC, a subsidiary of Pittsburgh-based Sheridan Broadcasting (Ronald Davenport Jr.) to St. Joseph Missions (Matthew Gorsich) for $445,000 escrow and the balance of $8.9 million in cash at closing.

The filing also indicated that the buyer is a noncommercial entity, and a request was made for a main studio waiver to operate all three stations out of one location. That location is believed to be Latrobe, Westmoreland County, which is in the Diocese of Greensburg."

They want to make it clear that the new owners of WAMO are Catholic Broadcasters located outside of Pittsburgh.

Andreas Hale Sends an E-MAIL to a few In-Boxes ...it's just what you thought about BET

As of today (September 8, 2009) I am no longer the Executive Editor of Music at BET.com.

Upon entering the position at BET I said that I needed one year to see what really went on inside the belly of the beast. I needed 365 days to sleep with the enemy and infiltrate the system. One year to see if they REALLY wanted change at BET.

As someone who has been critical of BET for many years, it surprised many that I would leave my post at HipHopDX last year to take a position at BET. But it was an opportunity I absolutely had to take. I could no longer be critical of this company without accepting the opportunity to change it when given. Although I was hired to bring about change, I was systematically shut down. I wasn’t hired to make noise, I was hired to be silenced.

The truth of the matter is that everything that you thought was wrong with BET is true.

Over the past year I’ve seen a lot to reinforce my position that BET is too far gone in the negative to turn into a positive. We have all always thought the worst, but to actually see it in action is another thing in its entirety. The unprofessionalism, the tom foolery, the favors, the misappropriation of resources, the bad ideas that reinforce negative stereotypes, the emasculation of men, the meetings that break down in full fledged cursing battles, the unpaid overtime, the tears from employees scared for their underpaid and overworked positions and ultimately the unwillingness to change are all harsh realities that I’ve witnessed firsthand.

That is not to say that there aren’t some good people who have sat in the offices of BET. Unfortunately, the good people are not in positions of power to instill any change. Instead, they work their fingers to the bone just to keep their jobs in this harsh economic climate. The other good people ran out of the door as soon as an another employment opportunity presented itself. To say BET was a revolving door would be an understatement.

I came in with a plan to provide balance and to deliver good music to the masses and help make BET relevant again - at least in the dot com world. Those attempts were shut down by out of touch executives who run a dot com but could barely turn on a computer. By those who judge their metrics by page views over absolute unique visitors (that‘s ad sales talk). By those who simply don’t understand the internet.

They brought me in because of my track record but never once took a look at my body of work. If they did, they would have known that I was the pen behind editorials such as “BET’s Coon Picnic” or were aware of the many times I have been critical of their award shows and programming. All they knew is that I played a major role in making a once unknown website into a online media outlet that surpassed theirs and they wanted a piece of the action. Too bad they never researched who I really was.

During my tenure I worked long hours and sometimes succeeded at bringing in decent content to try to reflect the change I wanted to achieve. But it wasn’t without opposition. While some interviews and content initiatives were able to make it through, many others were either shut down or met with ridicule. I offered ideas to incorporate the blog world and to spotlight new talent before MTV did. Those ideas were met with comments such as “This isn’t HipHopDX” or “You don’t know what you are talking about.”

BET is not about the quality of your work. Rather, BET is about the relationships you have with powerful people within the company. BET is not about challenging. Instead, BET is about accepting and saying “yes.” If you have known or followed me over the years, you would know that these are things that simply are not in my character and ultimately resulted in my removal.

For the artists and labels that I have worked with for years, I tried. I did whatever I could to achieve that balance many of us wanted to see happen. To the writers who wanted to writer for BET, I made an attempt but was never given a budget to work with.

Upon my arrival, I was told I would be given a staff. Not true. I had a staff of one to carry out daily operations on a website. I fought tooth and nail to accomplish the minimum (an embeddable player and a site people could navigate) and was constantly brushed off. It was a position that was set up for failure. But I endured as long as I could.

Alas, I have been removed from my position after infiltrating the system and the timing was perfect. I wasn’t let go because the site’s numbers were down. Not because I didn’t work hard. Simply because of a personality clash with an individual whose proverbial ass I didn’t kiss enough. Again, not about the work you do but about the relationships you keep and the sides you take.

I’d like to thank BET for covering the cost of my relocation to bring me to the great city of New York/New Jersey. I’d also like to thank them for putting me in close quarters with people who think like me and will hopefully work with in the near future. I’d also like to thank them for providing me enough controversial content that I observed firsthand and will make for many tales to be told.

I said it and I meant in: One year to either make changes or move on. I left HipHopDX on September 16th 2008. Today is September 8, 2009. Eight days short of a year.

Most thought I wouldn’t even last that long. But in that year I’ve had my greatest fears about Black Entertainment Television affirmed.

There is so much wrong with BET that I’d rather not break it down in a single email.
It is pretty good fodder for a book don’t you think?

As of today, Andreas Hale is a free agent.

You can follow Andreas Hale on Twitter. Why not send him a tweet of support. Well said Andreas.

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