HOT 97 and POWER 106

[Urbanrailfan]

For fans of Hip Hop and R&B, which of these two big market hip hop radio stations do you like more than the other based on regional hip hop preference? WQHT Hot 97 (.1) New York and KPWR Power 106 (105.9) Los Angeles are typically well-known as the most influential hip hop stations in the country on both coasts. Both run on Rhythmic formats (competing Urban-formatted stations come to mind like KKBT 100.3 The Beat LA or WBLS 107.5 NY) and are pretty famous for having distinct regional flavors in hip hop. As Power is to West Coasts artists Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Westside Connection, NWA and DJ Quik, Hot is to East Coasts artists Jay Z, Jadakiss, Terror Squad, Nas and DJ Funkmaster Flex. Also: both are owned by the same media corporation, Emmis Communications, based out of Indy.

In addition to Power 106 and Hot 97, Emmis also owns 2 other rhythmics -- KKFR Power 92.3 Phoenix and KDHT Hot 93.3 Austin; and an adult urban out of New York -- WRKS 98.7 Kiss FM. Emmis has other radio markets in STL, Chicago and Terre Haute, including 20 something TV stations in the Sunbelt and the Gulf Coast.

[Urbanrailfan]

Here is some more in-depth info about Hot 97 and Power 106 from Emmis' station portfolio.

Power 106 is the # 1 Hip-Hop station in Southern California with the most diverse listeners. It's unique radio programming has placed it as one of the favorite radio stations among listeners. Big Boy's Neighborhood consists of topical entertainment features and comic bits poking fun at the mass pop culture. Big and his neighborhood pals: Fuzzy, DJ Ray and Julissa bring energetic and upbeat flavor to Southern California morning radio. Hip-Hop and R+B is the backdrop for this laughfest every weekday form 5 a.m. - 10 a.m. Power 106 is one of the premiere radio stations in L.A. that brings the hottest and most extravagant promotions to town: 'Puffy in Paradise', 'All-Star Powerhouse', 'Dre and Snoop Reunion' and more! But among bringing entertainment to its listeners it also gives back to the community through the Knowledge is Power Foundation. K.I.P. donates thousands of dollars every year to charitable causes and is presently donating $5,000 each month to one local school through the 'Knowledge is Power Scholarship Fund'.

HOT 97 is the premier Hip Hop radio station in America. It is the epicenter for the New York Hip Hop culture playing a music mix of current R&B and Hip Hop music. With well known personalities who epitomize the Hip Hop culture like Funkmaster Flex who has five gold cds and Angie Martinez, a former Grammy nominee, HOT 97 has become the home of Hip Hop's biggest stars like P. Diddy, Ja Rule, LL Cool J, and Jay Z. Major promotions like the annual Summer Jam concert sell out within minutes of being announced. HOT 97 is targeted to the 12-34 year old and is committed to contributing to the youth of the community through their Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation and its Hip Hop Symphony program, providing instruments to under-funded music programs in New York City's public school system.

[Spartan]

I gotta tell ya, I've never heard of either of these.

[monsoon]

[MathNerd05]

mmm.... XM.......

I like the Comedy Station (150) and Real Jazz (70)

[Allan]

I gave up on radio two years ago and haven't looked back since. They kept playing the same songs over and over again, the commercial breaks were far too long, and all the local radio stations started playing rap almost exclusively.

[urbanguy]

Hot 97 fo sho!

[paulblackgsx]

Power 106 definitely. Although honestly, with the rise in popularity of rap/hip-hop over the last few years, and the growing base of rap out of areas other than Cali and NYC area, there are plenty of good, if not better, mainstream large stations besides those two.

[Urbanrailfan]

I gave up on radio two years ago and haven't looked back since. They kept playing the same songs over and over again, the commercial breaks were far too long, and all the local radio stations started playing rap almost exclusively.

I agree with the last sentence entirely Allan. Soon after the government became too lenient on how many stations a media corporation can own in the mid 90s, more and more stations got bought out. The biggest example is Clear Channel. Right now, CC owns 1,200 stations in every single market. Long before, CC was unheard of but was just another small media corp based out of San Antonio. The then CEO decided to give more people more variety in radio in these markets, but it did not work out that way. Ever since Clear Channel bought media corps AM/FM Radio, Capstar and Citicasters, radio took a turn for the worst, outraging disgruntled listeners. Playlists got cookie-cuttered; you hear almost the same songs in heavy rotation. Too many commercials permeated the airwaves, reducing the music segments one by one -- but next year CC is supposed to reduce the number of advertisements for more music playtime, on the condition that ads would be charged more $$$ than now. Monopolizing, isn't it? CC is also a nasty example of why radio loses touch with the local communities; local personalities talk less, and only the widely known artists get their songs played making it harder for local artists to be heard. Finally, like a restaurant franchise, every other pop station owned by CC is a "KISS-FM" clone (there are 50 stations of such) -- ridiculously robbing stations of their own Top 40 identity.

I wish Clear Channel would give up all these radio stations and sell them to other media corps such as Radio One, Cumulus, Citadel or Infinity. I recommend Infinity because many of the Urban stations owned by that happen to play music for a longer time w/o commercials under their "18 JAMZ IN A ROW" rule.