Urban Radio Nation: November 2009

November 30, 2009

DJ Envy Quits Hot 97

According to Twitter, radio host DJ Envy has quit New York's Hot 97 (WQHT). In his tweet DJ Envy mentions that it was a very hard decision for him to make. He leaves Hot 97 after 8 years.

Source: Global Grind

Tiger Woods Refuses to Talk and Issues a Statement

So now Tiger refuses to talk to the police and issues a statement on his website on his single car accident. Accident? That was no accident, she meant that sh**. This of course is the hot topic on TV and radio this morning all across the country. (What about the Soul Train Awards? the who?) Maybe the headline should have been "Tiger Tries to Escape in Florida".

Tiger might be saying to himself, "Michael and Sean, how come this stuff never happens to you guys?"

Here's a post from the blogger, The Black Snob, "If Loving You Is Wrong I Might Try To Kill You With A Golf Club", that explores the immediate ramifications of the incident and the caution that men should consider!

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

November 28, 2009

Youth Pastor Gets At Jay-Z For Dissing Jesus On Empire State Of Mind

This must be the season to diss!

A youth pastor from Los Angeles calls out Jay-Z for dissing Jesus Christ. Also he takes a shot at the status of celebrities in pop culture along with the "youth news source" known as 106 and Park.

Do you think he's over the top or what he says has some merit? He's so mad it looks like he would cuss Jay-Z out if Jay walked in the room right now.

Thanks goes out to Mike, one of our Facebook fans for posting this on our page.

Random Thoughts on Charlamagne Tha God

The blog "Random Ramblings of a Radio Chick" gives some thoughts on the recent firing of Charlamagne at Radio One's 100.3 The Beat. Read here. (I love her blog)

I agree with everything she says about Charlamagne. He is a genuine dude! He gets it! He's not above connecting with singers, rappers, bloggers or just the ordinary radio listener. (WE can't say that for everyone that is on the air or in the industry.)

He is more than a liner reader. He knows how to engage the radio listener. Charlamagne is one of a very few young broadcasters who has the ability to do this. In this era of radio syndication, he is a rare find.

Charlamagne appreciates each and every listener he has. So check out "The Radio Chick's" blog and Charlamagne with Lil' Duval on Hood State of the Union "The Hip Hop Superlative" on YouTube.

Meanwhile Charlamagne's Twitter account continues to accumulate more and more followers even after his release from Radio One. We hope to see him back on the radio real soon...

November 27, 2009

Oprah Going to The White House for Holiday TV Special

The talk show host Oprah Winfrey will tape a primetime Christmas special with President Obama and the First Lady later this week. The hour-long show is set to air at 10 p.m./ 9 p.m. CST on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Oprah will usher in the the holidays at the White House, visiting the Obamas as they prepare for their family's first Christmas there.

“Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special,” will be a produced by Oprah’s Harpo Productions. It’s being billed as an “intimate, informative and entertaining hour-long special” that will include a one-on-one conversation with the president.

It will be Oprah’s first interview with the man she helped get elected president since he took office in January. The high-definition special will include behind-the-scenes preparations as the White House gets ready for the holiday season.

From the Chicago Sun Times

A U.S. House Committee puts PPM and Arbitron on the Hot Seat

Has PPM affected urban radio ratings and the jobs of former radio personalities like Toshamakia?

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (who even knew there was such a committee) is calling in Arbitron as a chief witness as it seeks to examine the decline in ratings being experienced by minority radio stations. The hearing will be held Wednesday 12/2/09. Arbitron immediately welcomed the opportunity to testify.

The committee is under the gavel of Edolphus Towns (D-NY), who said, “With an unprecedented decline in ratings among popular minority television and radio stations, we must explore the possibility of methodological flaws in the implementation of the PPM. As it stands now, the current system jeopardizes the future of minority broadcasting.”

Towns added, “I remain deeply concerned that increased use of the PPM may unfairly threaten the financial viability of minority targeted radio stations whose advertising revenues depend on the size of their rated audience. In addition, there is a serious risk that certain groups of minority listeners will continue to be undercounted, imperiling minority audience radio stations and decreasing the diversity of opinions in radio broadcasting.” Read more

Source: Radio/TV Business Report

KRS-One would host a Jay-Z vs. 50 Cent Battle

KRS-One says this battle would be the greatest battle in Hip Hop history.

Apparently putting a Jay-Z / 50 Cent battle on vinyl is the only way to go??? I hear ya son.

November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

"You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office," President Obama declared while standing outside the White House. "And then there are moments like this -- where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland."

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

November 25, 2009

Allen Iverson Retires From The Game

Stephen A. Smith reported on 97.5 The Fanatic (WPEN FM) this afternoon with host Mike Missanelli, that Allen Iverson is set to retire immediately from the NBA and the game of basketball. ...The end of an era.

One of the best media interviews ever featuring Allen Iverson

TO ALL OF MY FANS:

I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association. I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn’t help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case.

I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.

Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids. This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I’ve ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift.

I want to thank the people of Reebok International Ltd., for always allowing me to be me and for supporting me my whole career through all the ups and downs. I have enjoyed 13 wonderful seasons in the NBA, and I am grateful.

I want to first acknowledge my fans everywhere, who have been with me throughout my entire career. Without you, there would be no me. You should all know that I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

To Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley and Larry Bird, you guys gave me the vision to play the game that will be forever in my heart.

To my Mom, who encouraged and inspired me to play every day, and to all of my family and friends who stood by me from the beginning. Thank you!

To my high school coach, Michael Bailey, Coach John Thompson at Georgetown University, Coach Larry Brown and to all of my other coaches, teammates, administrators, owners and staff who’ve been a part of my career, Thank you as well!

I’d like to give a special thanks to the people of Memphis. I never played a home game for your beloved Grizzlies, but I want you to know how much I appreciate the opportunity given me by a great owner in Michael Heisley, and the support of the city. I wish the Memphis Grizzlies’ organization all of the success that the game has to offer.

And finally, to the city of Philadelphia: I have wonderful memories of my days in a Sixers’ uniform. To Philly fans, thank you. Your voice will always be music to my ears.

God Bless all of you,

ALLEN IVERSON

NPR reports "Black Radio Fights Performance Royalties"; but Cathy Hughes is a No Show

Source: NPR's All Things Considered by Neda Ulaby

New legislation in Congress could drastically change music-industry economics. As it currently stands, musicians in the U.S. aren't paid when their songs are played on the radio unless they wrote the songs, too. Only songwriters get radio royalties, not the folks who play and sing their tunes. Two bills moving through the House and Senate would change that, by making radio broadcasters pay royalties to musicians, too.

Radio broadcasters hate the idea of performance royalties — really, really hate it. They're speaking up in Congress and on air.

Cathy Hughes is the legendary founder of Radio One, the country's largest chain of black radio stations. For months, her stations have played her announcements against the performance-rights bill. Hughes complains, on air, about all the work it would take to comply.

"If the performance tax is passed, all radio stations will have to count how many times a song is played each day and each week," Hughes says in an on-air announcement. (The bills do not really propose a tax.)

Natalie Hopkinson says there's no escaping Hughes. Hopkinson is an editor for the popular online news blog The Root, which is geared toward African-Americans. She says just about everyone who listens to urban radio has heard Hughes' point of view.

"Radio One holds more than half of the top 30 black radio markets. They dominate," Hopkinson says. Read more from NPR

By the way: Cathy Hughes surely knows that record plays are already counted! To broadcast false information over the air is downright deceptive and deceitful.

Hip Hop Legend KRS-One Feeds The Homeless This Holiday

“I am participating in The Bowery Mission’s Thanksgiving food drive and event because I myself was once homeless, walking these very streets, and spending time with these wonderful people at The Bowery Mission. I depended on them to survive. I am showing up for Thanksgiving this year to not only lend a hand, but hope that I am may inspire others in the Hip Hop community to consider their role towards helping the homeless, and join me by helping those in your community that need help during this holiday season.

I chose the Bowery Mission because it epitomizes the spirit of true human resources, love, care and compassion. I have stayed at many shelters where you are called “the client” and the administration made you feel like a prisoner in a system. At the Bowery Mission you feel at home. Homelessness is a pandemic, and most people do not realize the severity of the situation. You may be homeless one day yourself. I urge the Hip Hop nation to live up to the true nature of our culture and give.”

Twenty years ago, hip hop artist/activist KRS-One wrote an inspiring op-ed in The New York Times “A Survival Curriculum for Inner City Kids,” in which he addressed the city's failings to take care of its most needy; in the article, he also mentioned how he’d spent many of his formative years in the 1970s in homeless shelters around the city and was essentially an auto-didact, who educated himself in public libraries.

Fittingly, 20 years later, KRS-One will be aligning with one of his former shelters, The Bowery Mission, this Thanksgiving to serve meals to thousands of the City’s homeless.

The Bowery Mission and KRS-One will serve meals to over 3,000 people at the Mission at 227 Bowery in New York City (between Prince and Rivington Streets) from 8 AM – 7PM on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2009.

Beanie Sigel - How Could I Just Kill A Jigga Man Another Jay-Z Diss

LOL!

Beanie Sigel has released his latest diss on Jay-Z. This single premiered on the Cosmic Kev radio show on Power 99 in Philly. What's unusual about all of this? A corporate radio station (Clear Channel) is actually playing a regional hit! What a concept. A song not heard every hour on any Hip Hop station across America.

But at the end of the day, this is just entertainment. No one should take any of this rap beef seriously... however some people will.

November 24, 2009

Boxer Bernard Hopkins Confirms Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel Clash at Powerhouse Concert

The incident occured during radio station WUSL Power 99's Annual Powerhouse Concert

By Ismael AbduSalaam
Source: AllHipHop.com

Vengeful former Roc-a-Fella artist Beanie Sigel is receiving public support from fellow Philly native and boxing legend Bernard Hopkins, who verified the rumored police incident that ignited the Jay-Z/Beanie Sigel feud.

The former middleweight and light-heavyweight champion revealed in an exclusive appearance on AllHipHop Radio’s Eric B. & Friends Morning Show yesterday (November 23).

According to Hopkins, who appeared in Beanie Sigel’s State Property 2 film, Jay-Z had dozens of cops and dogs on hand to accost Sigel and remove Sigel from an October Powerhouse concert in Philadelphia.

“He had K9’s smelling, they said everybody had to move to the side to escort Beans out,” Hopkins told AllHipHop Radio. “I’m coming like yo what are all these police for? See you’re the man, you shut this sh*t down, it’s your show!”

Host Eric B attempted to defend Jay, rationalizing to Hopkins that Jay-Z has the same police presence at all his concerts, and the Sigel situation was likely just a security overreaction.

“In Jay’s defense, I think that’s John Menially {Jay-Z’s manager] and them, because Jay don’t really know what’s happening behind the scenes,” Eric B explained. “That’s them overreacting and then they blame Jay and say he knows exactly what’s happening. Bernard that’s like when you come to the ring, you don’t know what happened at the ticket booth, or with security, but ultimately you’re responsible.”

Hopkins remained skeptical of the explanation, and confirmed Sigel’s side that authorities targeted him specifically on direct orders.

“This was set up beforehand because they didn’t want Beans or none of the bulls in there. I didn’t want to get into it too deep, but there was more to it,” Hopkins maintained. “It was in and out, and they were looking for hammers and everything. I understand this wasn’t a regular show, but this was a whole different look, on some assassination bullsh*t. If that didn’t happen, I could probably agree with you [about Jay]. But when they go look for one dude, and tell him he got to leave? Maybe I’m wrong. Beans’ thing on the radio shows is that nobody was real with him.”

This is a partial post, read the rest here.

The following audio clip contains explicit content:

Thank God for iTunes and Donnie Simpson

Never in my wildest dreams would I dare to think of turning off the radio. Completely and altogether. Yeah right and just listen to CD's in the car. But I was pushed to the edge. It happened over the weekend. I love to flip stations and listen to the radio for entertainment and information.That's what I DO!

But when it gets to the point that two Urban AC stations are playing the same Anita Baker song on a Sunday afternoon, then there is something definitely wrong with Urban Radio. I have no other recourse but to scream!

Frankly as a listener I could care less how well a 20 plus year old Anita Baker song test markets to the desired 18-25-34-54, 87 year old ??? African American listener. (As you can tell I hate over-researched playlist) It makes no sense for two Urban AC stations to play the same Anita Baker song at the same time. Maybe Maxwell, but not Anita Baker. C'mon.

When will urban radio program to that listener that falls in between the gap that exist between Urban (Hip-Hop/R&B) and Urban AC (Old School R&B and Classic Soul) radio. Could it be that PPM has it right? That the PPM electronic ratings measuring system is a true indication of radio listening. That may be the sad reality.

Now what I have on CD and on MP3's would never make it on to the radio (I'm partial to Jill Scott, Common, Q-Tip and The Roots), but I'm wondering what other urban radio listeners are tuning into for their choice of music programming. Maybe they're really not tuning in to radio at all because urban radio programmers have not done enough to keep them plugged in.

Now many in the radio industry believe that Donnie Simpson of 95.5 WPGC in Washington should just step aside and throw in the towel. Many say he is out of touch on a Urban Hip Hop/R&B station. But I say Donnie keep doing what you're doing in the morning in D.C. I will continue to tune in over the Internet and don't mind that he plays Prince, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Bobby Brown and Gucci Mane all in the same show. Because I know he plays to the audience and not to some corporate playlist.

Also as a radio professional and personality, he has the ability to communicate to his audience during the breaks between songs. One of the moments he shared was his special relationship with his son, DJ (Donnie Jr.) Simpson, a couple of weeks ago. He said his son was his best friend in the world. That was a special moment, it was heartfelt, it was real... and you don't just get stuff like that everyday on the radio or for that fact with a CD or MP3.

November 23, 2009

Thoughts and a Tribute to Mark Raymond - A Radio Man

"...I think Mark Raymond died of a Broken Heart, not by some fine chick from Alabama where he was living and was once the PD of a Huntsville Urban AC , but by the business of radio that he spent most of his life in.

This is a partial re-post from the blog Random Ramblings from a Radio Chick. After reading her post, I was touched by what was written.

The rest of the post is here... (poster's name not given)

I remember a few years ago Mark wrote something about him getting out the business for ever and how he was frustrated by alot of the things that were going on and shortly after that he got the PD position in Huntville.

I worked with Mark at the first station I ever worked and he and Chris Turner were PD and Assistant PD and they gave me my first fulltime job in radio at WGIV Charlotte. We were a struggling AM at that time and we were trying to stay afloat while the new FM at that time WPEG was emerging.

Mark, who was from Trenton, NJ and me from Philly were good friends and we both had big dreams of working in big markets, making alot of money and enjoy the life of radio business that we both loved. We often debated over who was the better station WBLS or WDAS. With Mark living in Trenton he heard both stations while I was very partial toward WDAS FM.
Mark left the station to be PD at WERD in Jacksonville, with Chris Turner and they wanted me to come, but I had a new born daughter and didnt want to move at time. I loss track of Mark for a few years and then he called me after hearing me somewhere in he told me that he was out of the radio business and working for Circuit City in the Winston Salem area. He later got back in the business that he loved, radio.

Mark, like me and others have spent almost our entire lives doing this radio thing in small towns like Winston-Salem, Sumter, Huntsville and other towns paying the so called dues and dreaming of bigger markets and bigger things.

Mark never made it to WBLS like he always talked about but he did what he loved. He was a good kat who was serious about the business and I hope he was fullfilled.

I worked with some good kats and Mark was one of the good ones, and I just wanted to say that cause I havent seen anyone comment on him. Even though he wasn't one of those so called bigtime over hyped PDs or syndicated hotshot, I know he was a real black radio guy who worked in the trenches for little money , little hype, and he deserves his due."

-From The Trenton (NJ) Times Mark Raymond Smith, 52, of Madison, Ala., passed peacefully from this life on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, after a gradual decline in health. A native of Pennington, N.J., he had resided in Huntsville, Ala. since 2005. He attended North Carolina Central University where he studied broadcasting, and obtained his FCC Third Class License from the Allen and Singer School of Broadcasting. Mark’s love of radio started in 1975 while working as a mobile DJ in Trenton, N.J. Here's more of the obituary; but I'm sure it only tells a small part of the story of the radio man Mark Raymond.

50 Cent Sues World Star Hip Hop Video Website

What took 50 so long to file the lawsuit? They've been using his likeness for quite awhile. ...Just wondering how long he has known about this. Seems very convenient to have this story surface now with the release of his new album. The other rappers WSHH uses are the likeness of Jay-Z and Jim Jones. Do they have lawsuits pending too?

50 Cent says, "I gotta lawsuit against World Star for utilizing my likeness," he said in an interview. "A lot of people felt like that was my site because they saw my face on the cover of [the website] for a long time. I have lawyers on retainers and I have to pay them so much money anyway, so we'll go back and forth to court until [they] can't afford a subway sandwich. It's already too late for [them]."

Is there a job for Oprah in the Obama Administration?

As Oprah announced the end of her syndicated TV talk show in 2011 on Friday she struggled not to cry but she said the move "feels right in my bones and ... my spirit." (Her show has been on the air for 25 years...really???)

Oprah is widely expected to host a new talk show on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, which is a joint venture with Discovery Communications projected to launch in 2011 and replace the Discovery Health Channel in 74 million homes.

Although it is expected, would Oprah go behind the scenes with her TV network and take a job in Obama's White House? ...Just in time for the President's re-election campaign against Sarah Palin? What would Michelle say about that?

Not Everyone Thinks "Precious" Deserves Oscar Consideration

Armond White calls it the ‘Con Job of the Year.’

This review of 'Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire' directed by Lee Daniels and starring Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe, Mo'Nique, and Paula Patton goes a little like this... SHAME ON TYLER PERRY and Oprah Winfrey for signing on as air-quote executive producers of Precious. After this post-hip-hop freak show wowed Sundance last January, it now slouches toward Oscar ratification thanks to its powerful friends.

And ends like this...

Worse than Precious itself was the ordeal of watching it with an audience full of patronizing white folk at the New York Film Festival, then enduring its media hoodwink as a credible depiction of black American life. A scene such as the hippopotamus-like teenager climbing a K-2 incline of tenement stairs to present her newborn, incest-bred baby to her unhinged virago matriarch, might have been met howls of skeptical laughter at Harlem’s Magic Johnson theater. Black audiences would surely have seen the comedy in this ludicrous, overloaded situation, whereas too many white film habitués casually enjoy it for the sense of superiority—and relief—it allows them to feel. Some people like being conned.

Want to know what's in between? Then read more in the New York Press

November 19, 2009

Urban Radio and Hip Hop, In Need of a Resurrection...

Imagine for a second that a young unknown rapper wants to get a record deal, so he starts to rap about the conditions in his neighborhood. He puts together a couple of videos and a demo and he's told that his stuff is too soft, it won't sell and that's not what the public wants to hear on the radio. That would be the scenario if anyone dare put together the following videos in an effort to get a record deal. You think he even get a meeting? That demo's in the garbage. (You know maybe you need to to put some T-Pain or Lil' Wayne on your sh**. Yo son what's your name? "Tupac?" Oh we gotta change that to Lil' Pac or something like that. OH BY THE WAY, DO you have a sex tape Tupac?)

Is there a correlation between the downfall in Urban/Black radio and syndicated programming? Well... How about the detrimental and self destructive messages that are expressed in commercialized Hip Hop and poor album sales. That's for others to judge, but it seems that the public is not buying into what radio is programming and what record companies are dealing. Maybe it's time for something real.

And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks -Tupac "Changes"

Catching Up with Jason Whitlock

You may remember Jason Whitlock of Foxsports.com and columnist for the Kansas City Star, as a guest on Oprah's town hall hip-hop show (after the Don Imus' nappy headed comment). He attacked the Hip Hop music industry and in particular Russell Simmons and Kevin Liles. Now he says Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have no credibility. Jason explains that comment among other things.

He also gives an interesting perspective on writing for blogs versus writing for newspapers and how it's important to keep blogs and mainstream media in check.

November 18, 2009

Charlamagne Tha God versus Marlon Wayans on Twitter

Have you ever heard of a rap beef on Twitter? This might be the first TWEET beef on Twitter. It's Charlamagne (cthagod) versus Marlon Wayans (MARLONLWAYANS) and it's definitely better than Beanie Sigel and Jay-Z.

I think Round One goes to Charlamagne... nothing like some good mama jokes!

After reading the tweets below check out Charlamagne's blog on XXL magazine on the subject of Twitter. This is some good stuff.

THIS IS TWITTER, SOCIAL MEDIA AT ITS BEST!

@cthagod your were breast fed from a Ding-Ding
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod You sweet a** n*gga your PACIFIER had BALLS on it!
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod YOU CAN'T EVEN HATE RIGHT! it's a sad day my nig.
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod call wendy maybe she can do some segments on talkin' monkeys and you can go perform. Bum a** hater.
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod you said some smart sh** to my brother on the show and my sister. I'll tell u what u lil' Chimpanzee I ain't havin' it. BUBBLES!!
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod LOCAL N@GGA!!! I just came from london paris japan and korean. U ain't even known in brooklyn. You a rock turd
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod Go watch one my classics nigga, steal a line from don't be a menace and use it on some defenseless r&b chick. I ain't them
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod don't come my way nigga. I DO THIS! stick to radio! Nobody quoting you for 20 years. not a classic to your name. F*** OUTTA HERE!!
about 2 hours ago from web

@cthagod you look like a buff struck match...

Well kids I guess its over 1,000 new followers for me and The moral of the story is @MARLONLWAYANS is just not funny on Twitter.
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

Let me check and see how many new followers I got cause of this "Extra Regular acting celebrity" @marlonlwayans
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

What yall need to wonder is. I don't got no job, I don't got sh*t to do. What is @MARLONLWAYANS excuse? No more Scary Movie sequels?
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

With all them kids I'm sure your mom don't have a C Section scar she just got a zipper on her stomach @marlonwayans
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

Look stop making GAY Jokes, you might offend your brother Shawn @MARLONLWAYANS
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

So this is what it took for you to FINALLY be somewhat funny on Twitter. @MARLONLWAYANS you need to go @ me everyday.
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

RT @MARLONLWAYANS: @cthagod CHARMALAGNE you reverse cross-dresser cthagod says Come on homie, we all saw White Chicks.
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

Fact one of @MARLONLWAYANS next Tweets will be about how he got more $ than me, I'm a nobody blah, blah, blah.
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

Fact @MARLONLWAYANS was to G.I. Joe what Skid and Mudflap was to Transformers 2.
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

Fact: If Keenan Ivory Wayans hadn't of got rich @MARLONLWAYANS mama would be just like Frankie.
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

I got nothing but love for the Wayans. I respect all 300 of you your mother was the original Octomom @MARLONLWAYANS
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter

Not hate just a matter of opinion.I enjoy reruns of White Chicks but your Tweets suck more than Supahead in 04. @marlonlwayans

Another Hip Hop Station Bites the Dust

The hip-hop music is gone from Hot 93.3 (KDHT-FM) in Austin, TX and its owner Emmis Broadcasting has fired the entire on-air staff. A new format will debut on Friday.

The PPM ratings system that's set to debut in early 2010 and competition from Clear Channel Radio's 105.9 The Beat "Austin's Hip Hop Station" featuring the Ryan Seacrest Show (really?) are reasons cited for the change.

November 17, 2009

Pleasure P visits 107.5 WGCI Chicago’s Coca-Cola Lounge

Photo Credit: C.M. Wiggins/WENN.com

Greeting Pleasure P are WGCI midday host Loni Swain and night host Connie

November 16, 2009

Welcome to Cathy Hughes' Reality Radio

What do you think of Cathy Hughes' Reality Radio segments on Radio One stations? OK, if you're in New York, LA, or Chicago you may not know because Radio One doesn't own any stations in those cities. Maybe you should tune in, Cathy tells you the reason why Black radio might disappear!

If you like you can take a listen to her latest segment here. As you visit the website listen to how H.R. 848, The Performance Royalty Act is attacked and a bit down the page take a look at Cathy Hughes receiving an honor from the Black college Greek organization Kappa Alpha Psi for her humanitarian efforts. No doubt for her ability to let an unknowing public know the reason why Black radio is a dying breed. Now the person who is 100 % in support of the bill passing is the same person Hughes took a picture with; Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), who is head of the House Judiciary Committee. Politics indeed makes for strange bed fellows.

Are we talking performance royalty tax or humanitarian awards? I guess in Cathy Hughes' reality we are talking both.

Cathy Hughes why are you not talking about the PPM? You know the Arbitron Portable People Meter electronic ratings system. Could it be that your son, Radio One's Chairman Alfred Liggins gave his full endorsement of PPM by signing a five year contract with Arbitron back in 2007. PPM's poor sampling methods has caused many Black radio stations to score much lower compared to the old fill in handwritten diary that was used for many years. Lower ratings mean less money coming in.

But the main reason Black radio is doing poorly and there are layoffs across the board, is the economy. When you don't have businesses like General Motors buying advertising with Black media, then all areas of Black media will suffer. Look at Ebony Magazine and the lack of Black shows on network TV. That has nothing to do with the Performance Royalty Act as Ms. Hughes would have you to believe.

Anyway like most folks, you probably skipped Cathy Hughes Reality Radio segment and pushed your preset to another station. Just thought we let you know as a public service. What's your reality?

Are you still waiting for WBLS to announce Wendy Williams' Replacement?

Didn't think so. WBLS, what did you tell them?

WBLS just kind of drop their contest to have listeners pick a replacement for former host Wendy Williams. They probably think everyone has forgotten about the contest that began last August with Salt n' Pepa. They're probably right.

There were three host who got the most buzz during the contest. That would be Jeff Foxx, Egypt Sherrod, and Kesha Monk.

Why not use all three at the station? How about a local afternoon and early evening show and a Quiet Storm host from 10 P.M. - 2 A.M. As it stands now midday host Jasmine, 6 P.M. mixer the legendary Marley Marl and Bob Lee overnights, are the only live and permanent local hosts on the station.

November 11, 2009

Atlanta Remember 97.1 Jamz? It's Back!

Back in 2003 Cox Radio came up with an idea of drawing ratings from Radio One's urban station WHTA Hot 97.5 that featured Ryan Cameron in the morning. Since then Hot has moved to 107.9 and Praise was on at 97.5 but now it's on 102.5 in Atlanta (it's so confusing). But at the time mainstream listeners were upset that their beloved oldies station "The Fox" (WFOX) was gone.

Cox decided to go with an urban station that played uptempo music from the 80's, 90's and Today. This innovative format idea was definitely a different approach. They wanted to program an Urban station that would protect the ratings for its Urban AC Kiss 104.1 (WALR) while at the same time pull numbers away from Radio One’s Urban WHTA.

What Cox thought would happen never really worked. 97.1 Jamz hung around until January 1, 2006 when it switch over to a Soft Rock format known as "The River".

The thing that led to the station's death and low ratings was Cox Radio's refusal to use any personalities. There was a "Street Team" that did occasional on-air live remotes, but no DJ's in the studio on the mic. What a shame. The format was a good alternative to the extremes that exist in music playlists on Urban vs. Urban AC radio today.

Now the format is back... The 97.1 Jamz format is today's Rhythmic AC format. Take a listen to Clear Channel's 106.7 The Beat of Detroit or Atlanta's Groove 105.7. It's nothing more than 97.1 Jamz with less of an urban edge and more Lady GaGa mixed in.

If you haven't noticed urban formats are disappearing across the country (100.3 The Beat KATZ FM in St. Louis and WAMO in Pittsburgh) because of the PPM ratings system. Urban formats simply do not score high in PPM. It's time for Urban radio programmers to try a format like 97.1 Jamz to make themselves more friendly to the PPM electronic ratings system and to mainstream audiences. It would be a bold move but it could mean urban radio's very survival.

Take a listen to 97.1 Jamz as it hit the airwaves in 2003. Listen

courtesy of format change.com

Minority Radio Ownership at a Standstill

7% of Radio Stations are Minority Owned; Study found only 6 stations in the country broadcast an Urban/News Format

Source: Richard Prince's Journal-ism

In the last two years, the number of commercial radio stations grew from 10,506 to 11,249.

But minority radio ownership has remained virtually flat over that time.

A report released Monday found that 815 of those stations, or 7.24 percent, were minority-owned. A similar study in 2007 put the figure at 7.76 percent.

The study was conducted by Catherine Sandoval, a professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, partnering with Allen Hammond, also of the law school, and David Honig of the Washington-based Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, which lobbies for minority broadcast ownership.

The study's was undertaken to make recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission.

It urged the FCC to take the new figures into account when it reviews ownership rules next year. It wanted the agency to recognize that most owners of color obtained their stations before the Supreme Court restricted the FCC's ability to take race into account in awarding licenses and construction permits, and before the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which abolished limits on ownership of broadcast stations, squeezing out many smaller broadcasters.

The report noted that "74.7% of all minority-owned stations broadcasting programming air minority-oriented programming. This pattern refutes Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s assertion in Metro Broadcasting v. FCC (1990 . . .) that the proposition that minority ownership contributes to diversity is based on stereotypes. The correlation between minority radio ownership and diversity in program service is robust.

"The FCC should recognize minority broadcasters’ contributions to our nation’s democratic dialogue and analyze how its media ownership rules can ensure that minority broadcasters and the communities they serve thrive in the twenty-first century," it said.

Spanish was found to be the most popular format among minority commercial radio owners, airing on 291 or 35.7 percent of the 815 minority-owned radio stations.

Urban, African American targeted formats were broadcast on 135 minority-owned commercial stations. Six broadcast an “Urban News/Talk” format, airing a News/Talk format addressing African American community concerns, the study said. Read more

November 10, 2009

What's Been Up with Envy McKee

Envy McKee the former morning news anchor and Hip Hop talk show host on 100.3 The Beat in Philadelphia has jumped to cable TV. (She was unceremoniously let go from the station. Rumor has it that she wasn't a big hit with Jonesy whose co-host in New York was DJ Envy.)

In an addition to Miss McKee's cable TV show, she hosts a show on blog talk radio with (we think) Michael Shawn, the midday personality on The Beat. (Yes, the same Michael Shawn that use to co-host with Miss Jones at Hot 97)

Envy visited Cheyney University of Pennsylvania the oldest historically Black college in the country that boast the late Ed Bradley as an alumni. Despite what folks from Lincoln University might say Cheyney is the oldest. It's not much of debate, much like the fact that the real "HU" is Hampton and not Howard University, but that's another story.

Take a look at this interview with this one focused brother.

Now take a look at the great talent in the tradition of Boyz II Men and Patti LaBelle that's just bustin' out of the seams in Philly. A behind the scenes look at Radio One's Music and Entertainment conference '09.

Russell Simmons criticizes Bill Cosby; the Cosnarati Got His Back

Russell Simmons’ critique of Bill Cosby has struck a nerve with rappers featured on the actor/comedian’s forthcoming Hip-Hop album, Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency.

On Wednesday (Nov. 4), Simmons spoke out against Cosby’s criticism of Hip-Hop and the conduct of today’s youth in a blog about the entertainer on GlobalGrind.com

Despite expressing his admiration and respect for Cosby, Simmons feels Cosby’s attacks have undermined his “pure and good” intentions of motivating youth to realize their potential for success.

“Bill Cosby is an example of someone from the older generation who has consistently blamed the poets and asked suffering community members to bare the full burden of guilt for the struggles that they endure,” the Hip-Hop mogul wrote on Globalgrind.com. “What they don’t understand is that the young people who they criticize did not create their own realities.”

Cosnarati, which features appearances from rappers Supa Nova Slom, Jace the Great, represents the comedy veteran’s efforts to bridge the generational gap and inspire social change with socially conscious rap songs.

According to Jace the Great, the television and movie star realizes the power of Hip-Hop culture as “a means to reach more youth not to condemn them." Read More Story from Chris Richburg All Hip Hop.com

A New Book on Nas' Illmatic

From All Hip Hop.com
Author and radio host Michael Eric Dyson (is he still on the radio?) and Sohail Daulatzai, an assistant professor in African American Studies at the University of California, have recruited several Hip-Hop scholars, including Bobbito Garcia, to contribute to a biography of sorts about Nas’ seminal debut album Illmatic.

The new book Born To Use Mics: Reading Nas’ Illmatic examines the change then 19-year-old Nas effected on the Hip-Hop landscape by analyzing each song on the classic 1994 release. Born to Use Mics, which draws its title from the single "N.Y. State of Mind," will be available December 28.

November 9, 2009

'Precious' Star Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe Shines

The Lee Daniels' film is generating Oscar buzz and is headed towards 'Slumdog Millionaire' status

Oprah herself has given her recommendation (of course her and Tyler Perry produced it) but it seems everywhere you turn the movie has received glowing reviews.

The Huffington Post warns that "Major spoilers ahead" are in their review. Read at your own risk if you haven't seen the movie.

- From Mark Blakenship Huffington Post I loved the movie Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire because it told me two moving stories at once.

The film's first story is about Precious herself, a character whose endlessly miserable life is like something out of The Trojan Women: When she's not getting raped and impregnated by her father, she's getting sexually, physically, and verbally abused by her mother Mary (Mo'Nique.) She even gets pushed around by strangers on the street. Read more

The TOP Hip Hop Album of the Decade

As the decade comes to a close, Peter Rosenberg of the Hot 97 morning show "Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg" counts down his Top 13 Hip Hop Albums of the Decade. While his Top 13 includes a few of the decade's most critically acclaimed and best-selling hip hop albums, it also includes some underground albums that you might not have expected or even have heard of.

Is it Jay-Z or Lil' Wayne?

Check out his list at the Top 13.com.

CBS Radio Simulcast Sports Radio WFAN 660 to Florida

Sounds like a great idea...

During the New York Yankees baseball playoff run CBS Radio decided to place their New York City sports station "The Fan" 660 WFAN on CBS-owned radio stations in Tampa, Orlando and Palm Beach, Florida. Just imagine the delight of the transplanted New Yorkers, especially the retirees.

Now even in a place like Atlanta, a town full of transplants, this may sound like a wonderful idea. As a matter of fact every Friday and Saturday night V-103's live club broadcast is nothing but a live shout out session for Frank Ski, Bubby Love and the crew. Take a listen some time. Imagine the folks from New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Texas, and Los Angeles hearing a little taste of home on the radio.

Now back to Florida...

Can't you just hear the conversation in the bingo room at the retirement community center? "Hey Irving turn on your radio you can hear sports from the old neighborhood!" "Ya moron Bernie... Hey you schlep! You need a HD radio, what the hell is an HD radio?"

Wait a minute, CBS radio wants the old folks in Florida to buy a HD digital radio to hear about the Yankees.

"From its inception, CBS Radio embraced HD Radio and aggressively moved to upgrade our stations with this forward-thinking technology," said VP/Programming Chris Oliviero. "Digital radio has afforded the industry a way to expand its audience and increase brand awareness, while giving listeners unmatched sound quality. We’re thrilled to expose our best in class stations to like-minded audiences in cities across the county."

On second thought... why buy a HD radio, if you can get the CBS Radio on your laptop and a wireless network?

Hey guys put down the bingo chips and listen here...

Another indication that radio executives would rather sink money into a technology that nobody wants than admit they don't know what they're doing. HD radio is simply a bad idea.

Wendy Williams Inducted in Radio Hall Of Fame

"The Queen of All Media", Wendy Williams received her award during the Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Ceremonies in Chicago on Saturday night.
Photos courtesy of the Radio Hall of Fame

More photos from the evening at Radio Hall of Fame.org.

2009 Radio Hall of Fame inductee Wendy Williams signs her poster during induction ceremonies in Chicago. 2009 Radio Hall of Fame inductee Wendy Williams and former co-host Charlamagne Tha God pose at Wendy's Radio Hall of Fame poster at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago.

2009 Radio Hall of Fame inductee Wendy Williams and former co-host Charlamagne Tha God pose at Wendy's Radio Hall of Fame poster at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago.

Radio Hall of Fame inductee Wendy Williams with her husband Kevin Hunter and son Kevin.

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