Beforethe FEDERALCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMISSION Washington,D.C.

IntheMatterof ) ) ApplicationforRenewalof ) FileNumber: BroadcastStationLicenseof ) BRH20140130AGC ) EmmisLicenseCorporationofNewYork ) EmmisCommunications ) ) ForRenewalofStationLicenseWQHT, ) ) NewYork,NewYork

PETITIONTODENY

PETITIONTODENYRENEWALOFSTATIONLICENSEWQHTHot97
SUMMARY
PursuanttoSection309(d)(1)oftheCommunicationsAct,NewYorkareajournalistandradio host,writingas,andprofessionallyknownasMannyFacesrespectfullysubmitsthispetitionto denyrenewaloftheabovementionedapplication. MannyFacesisfounder,ownerandeditorinchiefofBirthplaceMagazine,aninternetbased publicationfoundedin2008withafocusonNewYorkHipHopmusicandculture,and creator/hostofTheNYHipHopReport,aweekly,internetbasedtalkradioprogramfoundedin 2012whichfocusesonissuespertainingtotheNewYorkHipHopmusicandculturelandscape. MannyFacesisasavidlistenertoWQHTHot97,aswellasanadvocatejournalistwhoanalyzes, critiquesandprovidescommentaryonHipHopmusicandculture,withafocusontheNew Yorkmetropolitanareaandadditionalfocusonthemedia. AsWQHTHot97purportstobeWhereHipHopLives,WhereHipHopLivesinNewYork andThemostimportantHipHopradiostationintheworld,andMannyFacesisajournalist whocoversHipHopmusicandculturewithintheNewYorkmetropolitanarea,MannyFaces fulfillstheobligationnecessarytosubmitsuchapetition,provingstandingandmorethana passinginterestinthebroadcaststatusofWQHTHot97. Asfurtherdemonstratedinthispetition,grantofthisapplicationisprimafacieinconsistent withthepublicintereststandardsetforthinSection309(a)oftheCommunicationsAct. Accordingly,theapplicationofWQHTshouldbedesignatedforhearing.

INTRODUCTION
ThispetitionchallengestherenewalofthebroadcastlicenseforradiostationHot97, operatingunderthecalllettersWQHT,basedinNewYorkCity.Thischallengeisbasedonthe assertionthattheradiostationfailstoserveintheinterestofthepublicitclaimstorepresent. Specifically,WQHT,whichbillsitselfasthestationWhereHipHopLives,doesnotoperateina mannerconsistentwithservicingtheHipHopcommunity,particularlyasitrelatestothe regionwithinthestationsbroadcastrange.

WQHTANDHIPHOP
Anenormousamountofbranding,marketingandonairverbiagerevolvesaroundWQHTHot 97beingthemediaoutletofrecordforHipHop.Infact,initsfrequentlyutilizedtagline, WQHTHot97definitivelypositionsitselfastheplaceWhereHipHopLives,asevidencedby usageinthefollowinglocations: VisualheaderofstationwebsiteWhereHipHopLives Titletagofstationwebsite,www.hot97.comWhereHipHopLives Titletagofstationsinternetlivestream,www.hot97.com/streamhot/index.aspx WhereHipHopLives TitleofstationsentryoniHeartRadioBroadcastappWhereHipHopLivesinNew York RadiopromotionalspotsNewYorksHipHopandR&B

RepresentativesofWQHTHot97repeatedlymakepublicclaimsthatsuggestWQHTHot97is synonymouswithHipHop,makingnoattemptstodifferentiatebetweenHipHopasaculture andHipHopmusic,whichismoreaccuratelyknownasrapmusic. Thereisnodenyingthatbasedonplaylists,stationcontent,subjectmatter,guests,DJsand personalities,thatWQHTHot97isanadequatepurveyorofrapmusic,however,thestation exhibitsagrossmisrepresentation,andegregiouslackofregardforHipHoptheculture despiteitscavalierusageandoverrelianceontheterm.

HIPHOPCULTURE,DEFINED
WhileauniversallyaccepteddefinitionofHipHopisimpossibletosource,thereisplentyof deeprootedevidencetoassertthatHipHop,bydefinition,referstomorethanagenreof music,butrather,anencompassingculture,orattheveryleast,asubculture. First,letsexaminethewordculture.MerriamWebsterdefinescultureinthefollowing ways:1 thebeliefs,customs,arts,etc.,ofaparticularsociety,group,place,ortime aparticularsocietythathasitsownbeliefs,waysoflife,art,etc. awayofthinking,behaving,orworkingthatexistsinaplaceororganization

LetsthenexaminehowHipHopisdefined:

http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/culture

AmercianHeritageDictionary2 Anurbanyouthcultureoriginatinginthe1980sinNewYorkCity,involvingsuchforms ofexpressionashiphopmusic,bboying,andgraffitiart.Oforcharacteristicofhiphop culture. EncyclopaediaBritannica3 Althoughwidelyconsideredasynonymforrapmusic,thetermhiphopreferstoa complexculturecomprisingfourelements:deejaying,orturntabling;rapping,also knownasMCingorrhyming;graffitipainting,alsoknownasgraforwriting;and Bboying,whichencompasseshiphopdance,style,andattitude HarvardDictionaryofMusic4 Whileoftenusedtorefertorapmusic,HipHopmoreproperlydenotesthepracticesof anentiresubculture. AndfurtheracademicdescriptionsofHipHop TheHiphopArchive&ResearchInstituteatHarvardUniversity5 TheHiphopArchive&ResearchInstituteworkswithothergroupsandindividualswho supporthiphopculture.

2 3

http://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=hip+hop http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/266545/hiphop/288175/Originsandtheoldschool 4 http://bit.ly/1lmdjIo 5 http://hutchinscenter.fas.harvard.edu/hiphoparchiveresearchinstitute

CornellUniversity6 ThemissionoftheCornellHipHopCollection(CHHC)istocollectandmakeaccessible thehistoricalartifactsofHipHopcultureandtoensuretheirpreservationforfuture generations. YaleTheEvolutionofRapMusicintheUnitedStatesbyHenryA.Rhodes7 OnecannotstudyAmericanrapmusicwithoutstudyingwhatisknownastheHipHop culture.Rapisanintegralpartofthissubculturethatdidnotevolveorexistin isolationfromitsothermajorcomponents.Thus,oneofmyunitobjectiveswillbeto notonlydiscussandstudyrapmusicbutalsotheothermajorpartsofthissubculture. HipHopculturewasalsocomprisedofgraffiti,breakdancing,andtheattitudeanddress ofthepeoplewhosubscribedtothemoresandtraditionsofthissubculture. Further,inthewordsofthemanwhoiswidelyregardedasoneofthefoundingfathersofHip Hop: AfrikaBambaataa8 HipHopmeansthewholecultureofthemovement..RapispartoftheHipHop culture..Theemceeing,theDJingispartoftheHipHopculture.Thedressing,the languagesareallpartoftheHipHopculture.Thebreakdancing,thebboys,bgirls.. Howyouact,walk,look,talkareallpartofHipHopculture.

http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/hiphop/ http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1993/4/93.04.04.x.html 8 http://www.daveyd.com/whatisbam.html

7 6

Andlastly,asuccinctsynopsisfromoneofHipHopsearlyandlongestlastingparticipants,who haslectured,spokenonandadvocatedforthepreservationofHipHopculturefordecades: KRSOne Rapissomethingyoudo.Hiphopissomethingyoulive.9 HipHopcametobeasaconfluenceofbeliefs,waysoflifeandartisticexpression,and contrarytosomepopularbelief,continuestoincorporatemuchmorethanmerelythemusic thatisassociatedwithit. ItiswiththismindthattheuseofthetermHipHopmustbequestionedinconjunctionwith promotionandmarketingofWQHTHot97,andtheamount,orlackthereof,ofattentionthat thestation,asapropertyentrustedtoprovidecontentinthepublicinterest,isprovidingto thatcommunityandconstituencymustbequestionedaswell.

EVIDENCEOFAPURPOSEFULAVOIDENCETOSUPPORTHIPHOPCULTURE
TherearemanyexamplesofwaysthatWQHTHot97ignoresthebreadthanddepthofHipHop culture.Thereisevidencetoshowthataconcertedeffortismadetocaterbroadcastcontent andstationoperationstoonlythatwhichisprofitable,orthatwhichthestation,orits surrogates,haveafinancialstakein.

http://rapgenius.com/Krsonehiphopvsraplyrics#note1317463

Yet,thestationclaimsalliancewithandleadershipoftheentireHipHopculture.Despitethis claim,thescopeofcontent,musicandotherwise,fallsextremelyshortofrepresentingthe publicinterestofthecommunityitislicensedtoserve,evenasadditionalevidence demonstratesthatthestationanditsrepresentativesareawareofthatobligation. FromalengthyinterviewontheCombatJackShowpodcast10withWQHTHot97sEbro Darden,whowasProgramDirectoratthetime: EbroDarden:Whenyourelisteningtotheradiostation,everysongthatgetsplayedis aninvestmentintheairtime.ThiscorporationboughtthelicensefromtheFCCto broadcast,ownsthisfrequency,courtesyoftheFCCandthefederalgovernment,and hasbeenlicensedtogooutandgetadvertiserstospendmoneybasedonairtime.So12 to14minutesofeveryhouronthisradiostation,isworthmoney.Sothentheyusethe musictocaptureacertainaudience,sothattheycansellthataudienceto[advertisers]. SowhiletheconversationisaboutHipHop,becauseyouinHipHop,andalotof culturalradio,youhavewhatwecall,like,aresponsibilityCuzZ100dontgivea fuck.Z100playsthebiggestrecords,getstheirmoneyandnobodysaystoZ100how comeyourenotbreakinglocalacts.. DJBenHaMeen:Hiphopisdifferentthanrockandotherformsofmusic.Hiphophas alwaysrepresentedthepeople EbroDarden:Yes.

10

http://thecombatjackshow.com/show/theebrodardeninterview

DJBenAhMeen:Andespeciallyinitsearlystages,like[PublicEnemys]ChuckDs quote,ItsCNNforblackpeople EbroDarden:Mmhmm. DJBeAhMeen:Andnow.. EbroDarden:Butyoureexpectingabusinesstocareaboutwhatyouretalking about DallasPenn:Weare!Wereexpectingacorporationtosay,Partofthereasonwhy wevebecomerich,becomeempowered,isbecausewevetakenthiscultural movementandwevecapitalizedonit. EbroDarnen:Mmhmm.AndtheywillsayYeah,butwedo.Wedo.Youresayingwe dontdoitenough. DallasPenn:Yeah! EbroDarden:Yeah. DallasPenn:Yeah! CombatJack:WhatIseeitthat,whatisplayingnow,thedangeris,itsdamagingthe culture.Itsessentiallydamagingtheculture. EbroDarden:Yes. CombackJack:Youtweetedearlierthisweek,Whatarewefightingfor?Oneofthe thingsImfightingforisthatwhathappenedtoKISS(98.7KISSFMalongstanding

stationcateringtotheolder,blackdemographicwhichwasboughtoutbyDisney/ESPN) doesnthappentoHot97.Themusicbecomessoculturallyirrelevant,thatattheend ofthedayitgetsboughtout Mr.DardenthenproceedtoexplainthatKISSFMandWBLS,theotherNewYorkstationthat cateredtoasimilardemographic,werefightingforthesameaudience,andthatitmade financialsensetocombinethetwostations,keepingitundertheWBLSbannertopreserve thelegacyoftheblackownedstation.Thosestations,Dardenexplained,recognizedthevalue ofservingtheircommunity.WBLSistheheritage,blackownedradiostation,Dardenstated. TheydecidedtokeeptheWBLSbrandalivebecauseitrepresentedblackownership,it representedblackcommunityandlegacy.[Theysaid,]Wecanthavetheblackownedradio stationinmarketnumberonebetheonetogoaway. ThisdemonstratesthatMr.Darden,andbyextension,themanagementofWQHTHot97, understandstheconceptthataradiostationcan,andshould,meansomethingmoretothe communitythanjustaplaylist. Infact,laterinthesameinterview,CombatJackbroughtupamorepointedquestion, specificallyregardingtheabilityandwillingnessforWQHTHot97todomoreintheinterestof theHipHopcommunity: CombatJack:Youmadeaquotein2009:[NewYorkCity]isuniqueculturally,which allowsustoplaymusicandtalkaboutthingsotherstationscannot.RadioinNewYork Cityhasalwaysbeenmorethanjustajukebox.Youhavetobeaboutsomethingmore thanmusictobesuccessfulhere.

EbroDarden:Thatsright. CombatJack:Howdoesthatstandtoday? EbroDarden:TodayIfeellikewereoutofwhack.Butthereasonwerehavingthis discussionisbecauseIwanttoseewhostandsup.Iwanttoseeit. Laterinthatinterview,whenaskedifthestationwouldberecognizingtheinductionofPublic EnemyintotheRockandRollHallofFame,Ebroclearlyacknowledgedthatthestationindeed hasanobligationtosupportthelargerspectrumofHipHopmusicandculture,while admittingthattheremaybeavoidinfulfillingthatobligation.Healsosoundedfairly untroubledbyit,partiallydeflectingtheresponsibility: EbroDarden:TheresbeenthingsthatHot[97]sdoneinthepasttosupportwhatever.I saythattosaythatyoudonthavetobeontheradiotohaveacareerandmatterinHip Hop.Andifpeoplearewillingtodoworkandbeaboutsomeshit,youregonnaget yours.ItsgonnacometoyouwhetherornotHot[97]supportsyouornot.Iunderstand itstheHipHopstationinNewYorkandwehaveanobligationWetrytofillthat obligation.Tosomepeopleitssatisfactory,toothers,itsnot.Werecomfortablewith that. Furtherareexamplesthatdemonstratetheideathatthestationisinfactnotfulfillingthat obligation,knowinglychoosingtofocusononlyoneaspectofHipHopculture,themusic,and anevennarrowerstrainwithinthatfocus,whileneglectingotheraspects,includingalargepool ofuntappedmusic,butalsonews,events,activeparticipantsandgeneralmembersofthe publictheypurporttoserve,theHipHopcommunity.

NEGLECTOFISSUESRELEVANTTOHIPHOPCULTURE
Asofthiswriting,theWQHTHot97websitehasanumberofarticlesvisibleontheirhome page.(Whilethisrepresentsjustonemomentintime,overtime,thecontenthasbeenwell alignedwiththissnapshot.) Thestoriesthatappearinthesitesmainscrollareallselfpromoting:NasatSummerJam; SummerJam2014Lineup;SummerJamTicketsonSale;ListentoWin;50Cent(performerat SummerJam)interview;ThisIsHot97(advertisementforthestationsVH1televisionshow). Anexaminationoftheremainingarticles,todeterminewhichonesmightcontaininformation relevanttoHipHopcultureand/ortheNewYorkCityHipHopcommunity,findsthefollowing: NickLacheyrapsonVH1sBigMorningBuzz IsJasonDeruloBeingPressuredtoMarryJordinSparks? CockDiesel!IsThatComedianDaveChappelloraBuffStuntDouble? Where'sTheLove?FloydMayweatherShadesFormerFianceeShantelJacksonOnThe 'Gram',AndSheClapsBack![Photos] FutureFt.KanyeWest'IWon'[Video] ListenToNittyScottMCsNewTrackFengShui[AUDIO] JayElectronicaSetToPerformThisSummerInNYCForTheFirstTimeInYears! LindsayLohanRevealsToOprahThatSheDidSleepWithThose12+MenInHollywood!

MikeEppsAccusedOfPunchingAWomanInTheFaceAtTheHauntedHouse2 Premiere!

AugustAlsinaSays106th&ParkGotHimLookingLikeTheBadGuy&He'sNotToBe PlayedWith![VIDEO]

ChelseaClintonAnnouncesShe'sExpectingHerFirstChildWithHillaryClinton! T.I.DebutsNewMusicAtBMIShowcaseInAtlanta[Video] 50CentSureKnowsHowToPickEm'!Baby'sMotherDaphneJoyStuntsPoolsideIn VegasAndHerBodyIsSpectacular

NewMusic:FutureFt.Andre3000'BenzFriendz'(Whatchutola)[Audio]

Ofthislist,thefollowingaretheonlystoriesthatcontaininformationofrelevancetotheNew YorkHipHopcommunity: ListenToNittyScottMCsNewTrackFengShui[AUDIO] JayElectronicaSetToPerformThisSummerInNYCForTheFirstTimeInYears! 50CentSureKnowsHowToPickEm'!Baby'sMotherDaphneJoyStuntsPoolsideIn VegasAndHerBodyIsSpectacular However,NittyScott,MCwasarecentperformerontheHot97WhosNextconcertseries.Jay ElectronicasperformancewillbeattheBrooklynHipHopFestival,whichWQHTHot97has beenasponsorofinthepast,and50CentwillbeaperformeratthestationsSummerJam. Thus,thenewssectionofthesitedoesnexttonothingtoservethepublicinterestoftheHip Hopcommunity.

Whilethisisameresnapshot,thetruthisthatthevastmajorityofinformationdisplayed throughouttheWQHTHot97websitefocusesonthegeneralentertainmentindustryand gossip.TheremaininginformationandoccasionalHipHoprelatedcontentisseemingly presentedonlyinconjunctionwithafinancialconnectionbetweenthestationandtheparties involved. Whilethisiscompletelysuitableforanyforprofitradiostation,itprovidesfurtherevidence thatWQHTHot97doesnotappreciate,orpurposefullyignores,thegreaterculturalrelevance ofHipHopasdemonstratedbyathoroughlackofsuchintheireditorialcoverage.

LACKOFSUPPORTFORTHENEWYORKHIPHOPCOMMUNITY
Onseveraloccasions,representativesofWQHTHot97havegoneonrecordwithresounding remarks,disparagingthelocalHipHopmusicscene.Again,ProgramDirectorEbroDarden: OnmytimelineonTwitterallyouguysjumpontheresaying,Yo,youshouldbeplaying moreNewYorkhiphopYousitaroundonyourlittleFacebookpage,onyourlittle YouTubechannel,sharingthoughtsaboutrecords,butyoudontgooutandexperience hiphopandsharetheexperiencewithanyone,andthenyouexpectpeopletobeinto NewYorkhiphopTheresnoclubs.Theresnorappersworkingtogether.Great musicsnotbeingmade.11

11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxKT7jMJBSc

PeterRosenberg:B.DotfromRapRadar.comwasaskingthequestiontoEbro,Asthe gatekeeperatHot97,asthemanwhomakesthedecisions,whyareyouplayingallthe wack,outoftowngarbagemusic?WhatsupwithHot97supportinggood,local undergroundhiphop? EbroDarden:Oh,sohewants,like,[Brooklynrapgroup]FlatbushZombies?[Veteran Brooklynartist]SeanPrice?Oh,thatswhathewants?Hewants[Bronxartist]Denzil Porter?[Brooklyns]JoeyBadass?Yeah,no,wesupportthoserecords,butthosearefor theminorleaguesrightnow.WeputthemonRosenbergsRealLateshowuntilthey makeittoprimetime.Hot97sliketheNFL,itsliketheNBA.Youdontjustgetaslot, youearnaslot.Youdoyourwork.Smokingweedinthestudiowithyourboys,putting outrecords,aintgonnagetit,B.Itsfun.Itscute.Butyougottagetthepeoplemoving. Yougottagetthepeopletalking.Andwhenyoudothat,youstartgettinglooks.12

EbroDarden:ThereasonHot97doesnottakerisks,thesamewayitusedtohappenin the90s,isbecauseClearChannelradiohascommoditizedradiotothepointwhere whenwetakeariskonarecord,theresnobodyelsecaringinthecityButtheysay theyreHipHopTheydontbreakanymusic[oncompetingradiostationPower105.1] becauseitsasyndicatednationalprogramthatdoesnotcareaboutlocalmusic.Until thepeopleinNewYorkwhosaythattheyrehiphop,cometothetableandstart breakingmusicforNewYorkandNewYorkartistsstartmakingsongsthataregoodto greatwhicharentthereAndradioisdifferentnowbecauseoffragmentation.Im notgoingtotakearisk,whenIknowtheaudienceisspreadouteverywhere.Imgoing

12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTSfCdkzLzg

tofocusonthemainstream,becausethatsgoingtogetmethebestratings,andthe mostmoney.13 BasedonseveralyearsintimatelycoveringtheNewYorkhiphopmusicsceneasajournalist,it isabundantlyclearthatthesefactorsadisdainforlocalmusic,aninsistenceonplayingonly themusicwhichgarnersthemostratings,notplayinglocalmusicbecauseanotherstation wontfollowsuitdemonstratealackofservingintheinterestofthelocalHipHopmusic scene. WhileWQHTHot97hasnorequisiteobligationtoplaceanyparticularartistintoprimetime rotation,thecommentsmadeacknowledgethatthereisapublicoutcryformorelocal representation,anoutcryfallingondeafearsorbeingsubjectedtoanunattainablethreshold. Despitetheseexamples,andinresponsetotheaforementionedcriticismfromthepublic, representativesofthestationoftenprofessthestationseffortstosupporttheNewYorkHip Hopcommunityatlarge. Evidencehasnotbeenverystrong. DespitearegularconcertseriestitledWhosNext?whichpurportstobeabreedingground forlocalraptalent,fewartistswhoparticipatereceiveanyfurtherattentionfromWQHTHot 97.UnsignedartistsinthepastfewmonthshaveincludedCharlieRED,MelaMachinko,Ms.J Lynn,Ak69,BishopNehru,Yungstar63,Travi$Scott,DoleyBernays,ApolloTheGreat,DougE. FreshkinTripsNSlim,Gliffics,Tijon,NittyScottMC,RugzD.Bewler,noneofwhich,noteven

13

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQtIaNKKjZY

AtlanticRecordssigneeDymeADuzin,canberegularlyheardonHot97airwaves,norseenon stageaspartofmajorconcerteventssuchasWQHTHot97sannualSummerJamevent. In2013,thestationtoutedanallNYartistlineupforthesecondaryfestivalstageattheir massiveSummerJamevent,inasupposedefforttoshowsupportfortheNYareaHipHop artistcommunity.Itwasfairlycurious,however,thatoutoftheeightperformersscheduledto performatthatevent,sixwererepresentedbyasingularrepresentative,TheAgencyGroup,a bookingandpublicitycompany.Aseventhartist,TroyAve.,receivesainexplicably disproportionateamountofmentionandsupportbyradiopersonnel(radioappearanceon February22,2013,SummerJam2013appearance,radioappearanceonSeptember22,2013, mentioninOctober15,2013JuanEpsteinpodcastdiscussion,radioappearanceonNovember7, 2013,radioappearanceonJanuary26,2014,mentionduring50Centinterview,April15,2014, multipleappearancesatWQHTHot97orchestratedWhosNext?concerts).Whilesuch imbalancedattentionwouldconceivablyraisearedflaginofitself,TroyAve.stillhasnot bubbleduptoreachmainstreamairplay,despiteseeminglyfulfillingtheobligationsDarden setforthinhisearlierdescribeddiatribe. Takenasawhole,allofthesestatementsandincidentsmakethestationsassertionof supportingthelocalartistcommunityseemmuchlessgenuine. Muchmoretroublinghowever,isacontinuationofthestationsfocusonlyonrapmusic,and itsindifferencetothebreadthofHipHopculturetheyclaimtorepresent.Equallyimportantto theoverallartisticexpressivenessofHipHopculture,areartformssuchasgraffiti,BboyandB

girlactivities,DJingandtheartofturntablism,beatboxing,communityactivismandpolitical outreach. TheseaspectsofHipHoparenearlynonexistentintheWQHTHot97universe,which demonstratesastaggeringlackofattentiontowardthevarietyofthevibrantsectorsintheHip HopcommunitywithinWQHTHot97sbroadcastingdemographic. Evenworthwhileefforts,suchasweeklypaneltalkshowStreetSoldiers,whichdoesspeakon manyissuesofimportancetotheyouth,HipHopandminoritycommunitiesthatWQHTHot97 catersto,inadequatelyaddressesdirectaspectsofHipHopculture.Whilemanyofthetopics absolutelyconsistofvitalissuesworthdiscussing,again,theattentiontoHipHopcultureis minimal. Towit,recentepisodesofStreetSoldiersandtheirrespectivetopics(episodeswithdirect relationtoHipHopcultureinbold): 4/13/14Heroinepidemic 4/6/14Marriageandmonogamy 3/30/14Womenandviolence 3/23/14Thedownsideoffastmoney 3/16/14Goodgirlsvs.badgirls 3/9/14Lifeafterlockdown 3/3/14TheJordanDaviscase(IsHipHopthugmusic?Andcanwhatyoulistento getyoukilled?) 2/23/14Thecomplexionconnection

2/9/14Instanthookupsvs.truelove 1/26/14Shootingsvs.school:ViolenceinNewark

Whilethe3/3/14episodewasdirectlyrelatabletoHipHop,itagaindemonstratedthefactthat WQHTHot97doesnotplacevalueinanyaspectofHipHopcultureasidefromthemusic. Whilethereisnodebatethattheseareextremelyimportanttopicsworthdiscussingwiththe WQHTHot97listeningaudience,theattentiontoHipHopasaculture,andthemanyissues thatdirectlyfacethoseinvolvedinthemanyaspectsofNewYorkHipHop,arenearlynon existent. SomerecentexamplesofmajormilestonesandeventsintheNewYorkHipHopcommunity thatcouldhavebenefittedifWQHTHot97wasproperlyservingtheirpublicsinterest: Wheninternationallyknown,LongIslandCitygraffitiMecca5Pointzwasfacing eviction,supporterswereurgingthepublictopetitiontheCityandattendCityCouncil meetingstoassistinthecause. Hiphopcultureiscelebrating40yearsofexistence.Ononeoftheunofficial anniversariesofHipHop,afoundingfather,DJKoolHerc,whoisstillaliveand participatinginHipHopeventsinNewYorkCityandaroundtheworld,receivedlittle morethanapassingmention.Theoccasionwasmarkedwithlittlemorethanaspecial mixbyradioDJs. YearlyeventssuchastheRockSteadyCrewanniversary,acelebrationofallthe elementsofHipHopandthecontinuingeffortsoftheworldrenownedorganization,are conductedwithnomention,nosupport,noobviousattendancebyWQHTHot97.

HiphoppioneershavebeenrepeatedlyrecognizedbyNewYorkCity,includinga proclamationgiventoVideoMusicBoxiconandtelevisionpioneerRalphMcDaniels, andHipHoppioneersincludingAfrikaBambaataa,GrandmasterCaz,MelleMel,Grand WizardTheodore,CutmanLG,RockyBucano,JorgePopmasterFabelPabon,PeteDJ JonesandKurtisBlowwererecentlyhonoredwithproclamationscelebratingtheirrole inlaunchingaglobalculturalrevolution.14

Smallandmediumsized,nonprofitorganizationswhocatertoservingNewYorkCity citizens,particularlyitsyouth,throughHipHop,suchastheRebelDiazArtsCollective, MommasHipHopKitchen,UrbanArtBeat,FreshPrep,UrbanWordNYC,are continuouslyoperatingwithouteverreceivingassistancefromtheCityspurported homeforHipHop.

Inadditiontothesemilestoneeventsandinspiringorganizations,therearecountlessotherHip Hoprelatedevents,concerts,seminars,panels,exhibitions,performances,etc.,thatoccurin theNewYorklisteningarea,manyofwhichwouldbeconsideredofinteresttothegeneralHip Hoplisteningpublic.However,thestationforNewYorkHipHoptypicallydoesnotseefitto speakon,announce,coverorotherwisegivecredencetosuchevents. Inaddition,theWQHTHot97websitecommunitypages,containingPublicService Announcementsandvariouslinksleadingtoinformation,educationarticles,ascholarship applicationthroughthestationsHipHopHasHeartfoundation,etc.,arealloutdated.Again, whileinformationsuchasthisisvitalandcanbehelpfultothegeneralcommunity,notonlyisit

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/musicarts/citycouncilhonorsfoundersraparticle 1.1719858#ixzz2zRgxlMbz
14

uselesslyoutdated,butthereisagainnothingthatdirectlyrelatestoHipHopcultureorthe breadthoftheartstherein. Asfurtherevidenceofthispatternoflacklusterdevotiontothepublicinterestoftheir community,anexaminationoftheCalendarofEventsontheWQHTHot97websiteatthe timeofthiswriting(4/18/14)showsalistlessattemptatprovidinganyservicetothepublicin thisregard: EVENTSANDAPPEARANCES 4/184/27NewYorkInternationalAutoShow Hot97StreetTeamappearances,fulfillingadvertiserobligation 4/21MetroPlus(Bronx) Hot97StreetTeamappearances,fulfillingadvertiserobligation 4/254/26ComedyStepandStrollShow AWQHTHot97sponsoredcomedyshowinWashington,D.C. 4/29MetroPlus(Brooklyn) Hot97StreetTeamappearances,fulfillingadvertiserobligation 5/7MetroPlus(Bronx) Hot97StreetTeamappearances,fulfillingadvertiserobligation 5/18AIDSWalkNewYork

CONCERTCALENDAR 4/20KidInk(IrvingPlaza) SummerJamperformer,concertticketgiveaway

4/20Fabolous&FunkMasterFlexatWebsterHall FunkMasterFlexisaWQHTHot97onairDJ

4/26Hot97sPeterRosenbergpresentsTechN9neatStarlandBallroom 6/1Hot97SummerJam 6/7MikeEpps:AfterDarkTour MikeEppsisacomedian.Thereisacoincidingticketgiveaway.

TherearenootherlistingsuntilAugust. RecognizingthattheyarethestationforHipHopinNewYorkwithanobligationtoserve thepublicinterest,thisfurtherpointstoalackofinterestintrulyservingthecommunity, preferringtoparticipateintheculturetheyclaimtorepresentonlywhenprofitable. WhileWQHTHot97certainlyhastherighttobeinvolvedintheeventproductionand/or promotionbusinesstosupportitsrevenue,hasnoobligationtoprovideprobonoadvertisingto anyindividualororganization,andhasnoobligationtoplaymusicfromanylocalartist,the blatantlackofrecognitionofanyHipHophappeningsotherthanonestheyhaveafinancial stakeinisfurtherevidenceofablatantdisregardforthecommunityandcultureitpurportsto serve,andwhosebanneritproudlyflies.

CONCLUSION
WQHTHot97mayverywellbeconsideredahighlysuccessfulradiostation,achievingthe ratingsneededtodrawprofitableamountofadvertisingdollarsbyplayingproperlyresearched

rapandR&Bmusicinrotation,partneringwithcapablebookingagenciesandlocalvenuesto bookshowsfeaturingrisingartists,orchestratingtheregionslargestmegaconcertand engaginginwhateverothermethodsmightbenecessaryforamodern,terrestrialbasedradio stationinalarge,competitivemarket. IbelievethatWQHTHot97isoperatingwellwithinitsrightsasaforprofitcorporation,seeking toremainsolvent,employmanypeopleandmaintaintheirmarketshare. Asarapmusicstation,theydoquitewell. AsaHipHopstation,theyarefailingmiserably. TheyclaimthatHot97iswhereHipHoplives.Unfortunately,HipHopdoesntliveatthis radiostationanymorethanNativeAmericanculturemightliveatacasinolocatedona reservation. Asratingscontinuetofluctuateandasaudiencescontinuetofragment,WQHTHot97 undoubtedlystruggleswiththechanginghabitsofmodernradiolisteners,evolvingmusic trends,andacontinuouslydevolvingmusicbusiness. Whatwecannotallowisforaradiostation,licensedbythefederalgovernment,tolosesightof theprimarytrustwithwhichtheyarecharged:toservethepublicinterestofthecommunity. WhatwecannotallowisforacorporationtodecidethatHipHopmeanssomethingother thanwhatitmeans.Culturalmisappropriationhashistoricallybeenthecatalystformany seismicshiftsintheartisticlandscapetheworldover,andwemustnotallowtheidealsofHip

Hopculturebefurtherbastardizedbythosewhoseekonlytoprofitfromitsmostlucrative sectors. Bysiphoningonlyriskfreerapmusicfromanvastpoolofartisticcreativity,bywearing blinderstoHipHopsculturalactivitiesoutsideofrapmusic,andbyprovidinglittletono programmingtosupportthecultural,artisticandcommunitymindedendeavorsoftheHipHop communityinNewYorkCityandsurroundingareasatlarge,itismycontentionthatWQHTHot 97isfailingtoservethepublicinterestofthecommunitythatitpurportstorepresent,anda renewaloftheirlicensetobroadcastwillallowthispatternoflackofresponsivenesstothe needsofthiscommunitytocontinue. ItisthereforethatIsubmitthispetitiontodenytherenewalofWQHTHot97sFCClicenseto broadcast. Respectfullysubmitted, By___________________________________