It looks like there's some trouble brewing in Detroit as the local Hip Hop community is ready to shut down radio station WJLB for not supporting homegrown talent..They join a growing list of cities which include Chicago, Seattle and New York to name a few where local talent has found themselves being overlooked and played to the curb.. Here's a copy of the recently released press release..
A Protest and subsequent Boycott of WJLBFM 97.9 will be held on Friday
January 19, 2001 from 11:00-1:00 PM at the Penobscot Building Suite 633 Fort
St. Detroit, MI.
Spearheaded by the Detroit Hip-Hop Coalition, a conglomeration of Michigan
Hip-Hop Artists, Promoters, Disc Jockeys, Magazines, Designers,
Entrepreneurs, and their Supporters, this demonstration is the first step to
dramatize WJLB's total lack of support for area Artists/Bands. WJLB bills
itself as the "voice of the community" and frequently uses its position as a
bully pulpit. But it refuses to support any area Hip-Hop artists with any
significant airplay. It ignores telephone requests for area artists while
simutaneously profiting from events it sponsors in local venues.
Detroit Hip-Hop is recognized world-wide, however area artists are left to
eke out a living, chiefly because of the lack of support by this station.
FM 98's Program Directors are the BIGGEST CULPRITS. Any and all supporters
are encouraged to participate. For further information, contact Brandon
Wilkens at (313) 300-6332, Rob Gill (248) 797-9919 or Lee Martin (313)
767-9214 Thank You.
Detroit Hip-Hop Coalition
Lo-Key Magazine
Scriptures Magazine
