Let me catch you up to speed if you’re not already. Late last week, blogger/writer B. Dot (who we’ve featured on Social Media Mondays) took to his Twitter to vent frustrations about New York radio. He feels they’re not showing enough underground/unsigned love. Hot 97 head honcho (aka PD) Ebro Darden responded with a debate on the topic. The next morning, he took to Hot 97 morning show airwaves with Rosenberg, Cipha Sounds and Kay Foxx and discussed it further. He feels that the underground guys need to earn their stripes before they’re featured, and also notes that Rosenberg has a Sunday night show dedicated totally to unsigned music. Once B. Dot saw that, he replied with a post. This morning, Rosenberg kicked the realness on the topic. Watch what he said, and see B. Dot’s reply below. Where do you fall on this topic?
W’ssup n*ggas. Time to separate fact from fiction.
1.I’ve never submitted an air check nor asked for a time slot on Hot 97. So that’s bologna. Anytime I’ve cracked the mic, programmers or hosts have asked me to.
2.We’ve all worked out way through the proverbial “minor league”. Eight years ago, I started out at as an unpaid intern at Don Diva. Tiff and Kev what up! You and I both know, Real Late is on a dreaded time slot. Sundays suck. To be technical, the show is actually on Monday morning. By 12 A.M. most folks are sleeping or preparing for work. So really, who are you really playing music for?
3.During this entire exchange, I never mentioned commercials. Yes, they’re ads plastered on this website from record labels, but what’s your point? Those same record labels submit music and are also critiqued: good or bad. The difference is that record labels pay radio stations to play the music. Since payola is an illegal practice, programmers have found alternate ways to justify airplay.
But we’re getting off topic. The problem with urban radio (specifically in New York) is that most of the Radio DJs aren’t doing their jobs and programmers are allowing it. Say what you want about how important blogs are, but at the end of the day, the DJ is the sole controller and A&R of the streets.When you’re two stepping in the nightclub or riding around and getting it, your favorite website isn’t at the helm—it’s the DJ. And in New York, the Radio DJs control the nightclubs.
If you’re visiting this website, chances are you’re a hip-hop nerd. Myself included. The casual hip-hop/rap fan is exposed to new music via terrestrial radio. They’re not scouring the ‘net for the latest underground sensation. DJs need to close their wallets, roll up their sleeves, and consistently play good music for their audience.
MTV’s Rob Markman said it best, “There just needs to be more balance on both sides. Underground heads need to stop making records like it’s 1994 and radio has got to show more underground love.”
Via RR
