Emmis Communications announced that ESPN Radio is the NEW OWNER of New York's 98.7 FM, and they are expected to STOP broadcasting urban music - and instead broadcast ONLY Sports Radio.
Emmis also entered into a transaction to sell the intellectual property rights of Kiss FM, the current format Emmis programs on 98.7FM, to MAGIC JOHNSON, who is in the process of acquiring New York radio stations WBLS-FM and WLIB-AM.
While this may not be earth-shattering news to most folks, the closing or "re-purposing" of another radio format that played modern rap music is another dent in the already limited airwaves for fans of rap music.
Though I admit that I don't and cannot listen to song after song of Young Money assembly line artists or any of the rap slash techno-house music generation on the radio, I do not wish it would "die off" necessarily. What I do wish, is that WE as a listening public had more choices for hip-hop music of a broader spectrum.
Old school lunch hour or an occasional Biggie song does not give proper due to artists of historical importance in hip-hop. The Rolling Stones, Beatles, and most any rock band with a hit song from the 60's to now can be heard somewhere on the radio at any given "Alternative rock" station or "80's-90's station" on the air. However, the chances that you might here even a radio-edit of Smif n Wessun, Wu-Tang Clan, Goodie Mob (old version), Organized Konfusion or any seminal groups from the Golden Era of hip-hop or earlier is slim to non-existent.
Perhaps the fan base for the older tunes is indifferent to the music, but even if we wanted modern "underground" stations that played 9th Wonder, Zion I, and others, we don't have that choice unless we listen to subscription-based or college radio and endure cost or lo-fi static and weak signals.
If Magic Johnson can buy up radio stations and undoubtedly hustle his own gospel format, of which he owns a music label, and pad his pockets, why can't any of the so-called pioneers of rap do the same for the fans and peers. Diddy may have his own TV channel but it will only be filled with Ciroc ads, Sean Jean ads, Bad Boy Records compilation ads, or any other self-gratifying marketing that he plans out and will surely avoid any semblance of music appreciation unless it features himself. Great for him, but for anyone dreaming of a day when the music we grew up on will ever be heard by anyone other than ourselves and our out-dated CD collection, the chances are slim.
The reason I enjoy sampling old soul and hip-hop is to both honor the past and give a nod to my own influences. If introducing folks to music they may not have heard before is a result of that effort, than I am glad to be a part of the experience. If we as a culture don't try to keep the past alive through education and re-introduction (for hip-hop anyway), up and coming MC's and artists will only know Young Money as a benchmark and model everything after that....which is sad to say the least.
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