illustration by Yoly Stroeve

Hip Hop & Radio

Throughout history, radio has played a vital role in keeping local communities informed and providing exposure for local artists. Since the mid-1980s, hip-hop has been a medium to express the outrage, imagination and resiliency of communities of color and other disenfranchised groups. These days, commercial radio is largely bought and paid for by record labels, and the corporate-run music industry controls the image of hip-hop. Prior to the 1996 Telecommunications Act, no single radio owner held more than 65 stations nationwide; now the 4 largest radio corporations account for an average of 90% of radio revenues and radio giant Clear Channel boasts nearly 1,200 stations!

Increasing radio concentration pushes local artists off the airwaves and creates the conditions for illegal "payola" (the payment of gifts or cash in exchange for airplay). Clear Channel Communications has most benefited from the FCC's repeal of ownership limits, purchasing hundreds of radio stations in the late 90s, many from single station "minority" owners.

As the nation's largest radio owner reaching 95% of the population, Clear Channel is well-known for its monopoly over local hip-hop stations, lawsuits alleging the repeated use of "pay-for-play" tactics, homogenized playlists, preferential partnerships with the political Right, and re-organizing local stations by eliminating community affairs, automating hosting to downsize staff and slashing public interest programming. Clear Channel syndicates almost every well-known right-wing host including Michael Savage, Dr. Laura and Bill O'Reilly.

A Call to Action
Increased concentration of radio by private corporations limits opportunity for local artists and single-station owners - many of who are people of color - and further marginalizes under-represented audiences. Our hip-hop stations have a duty to take localism to heart and provide local audiences with diverse, accessible entertainment and informational programming that is driven by creativity and accountable to the public; the FCC must create policies that support and expand low-power radio; and local communities should create content standards for hip-hop radio that reflect their interests, homegrown talent and protect public safety.

RELATED ACTIONS: 

http://action.centerformediajustice.org/actions

 
RESOURCES:

YMC Publications 

SF Bay Guardian, "Urban Radio Rage" by Jeff Chang 

Rolling Stone, "Inside Clear Channel"

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