Hip Hop & R&B Radio History & News

Black Lion Teams Up with Create Music Group

ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 202607

Black Lion partners with Create Music Group to revolutionize music catalog analysis with proprietary valuation technology. The partnership will streamline deal-making and accelerate catalog acquisitions

Music Business News

SoundExchange Names Peter Karafotas SVP Gov’t Relations

ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 202606

SoundExchange appoints Peter Karafotas as SVP of Government Relations & Public Policy. The Capitol Hill veteran will lead legislative efforts to ensure music creators are

Music Business News

Miles Ahead Broadcasting Collaborates with Superadio

ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 2026024

Miles Ahead Broadcasting announces new advertising sales agreement with Superadio for the nationally syndicated 'Caf� Mocha' radio show, the #1 weekend show for women of

BMI

Gary Kemp Receives BMI Icon Award at 2023 London Awards

ShannOctober 3, 2023May 26, 2026

by ShannOctober 3, 2023May 26, 202604

Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet received the prestigious BMI Icon Award at the 2023 BMI London Awards. Producer P2J also won the BMI Impact Award

Radio

Cumulus Media and Q101 Present Annual TWISTED XMAS Concerts

ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 202608

Q101's annual Twisted XMAS returns December 5-8, 2023 at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom featuring The Black Keys, Lovejoy, Bleachers, and Young the Giant.

Music Business News

Beyonc� Ends Renaissance Tour, Announces Film

ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannOctober 3, 2023May 9, 202609

Beyonc� wrapped her record-breaking RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR in Kansas City, earning over $579 million across 56 shows. She announced a concert film coming December.

Music Business News

Sheryl Lee Ralph and The DIVA Foundation Announce The Return

Digital and Radio FactsOctober 2, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsOctober 2, 2023May 9, 202607

Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph announces the return of DIVAS Simply Singing! at Wilshire Ebell Theatre Nov 19. The 33rd annual HIV/AIDS awareness benefit features

Radio

iHeartMedia Chicago Hosts Sista Strut Celebration

ShannOctober 2, 2023May 26, 2026

by ShannOctober 2, 2023May 26, 2026011

iHeartMedia Chicago hosts seventh annual Sista Strut Pink Celebration on October 7, featuring a 3K breast cancer walk to benefit Sisters Network Chicago, Inc.

Music Business News

Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country: October Guest Hosts

ShannOctober 2, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannOctober 2, 2023May 9, 202607

Shawn Parr's Backstage Country welcomes Thomas Rhett, Old Dominion, Riley Green, Jason Aldean, and Russell Dickerson as guest hosts throughout October on the nationally syndicated

Music Business News

Tyrese vs. Pendergrass Widow: Biopic Rights Battle

Digital and Radio FactsOctober 1, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsOctober 1, 2023May 9, 202607

Tyrese and Voltron Films are in a legal battle with Joan Pendergrass over rights to produce a Teddy Pendergrass biopic, with Lee Daniels set to

Music Business News

Anthony Casuccio’s East Coast and European Tour

Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 30, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 30, 2023May 9, 202607

Buffalo indie artist Anthony Casuccio plans East Coast and European tours after achieving Top 40 success in Europe with four solo songs including chart-topper 'Lighthouse.'

Radio

Audacy Expands Reach of You Better You Bet with New Deals

Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 29, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 29, 2023May 9, 202609

Audacy expands distribution of "You Better You Bet," the #1 sports betting podcast, through new partnerships with Stadium and SiriusXM nationwide.

Radio

iHeartMedia Phoenix Names Cressy Walton VP of Sales

ShannSeptember 29, 2023May 26, 2026

by ShannSeptember 29, 2023May 26, 202607

iHeartMedia Phoenix names Cressy Walton as Vice President of Sales, effective October 9. She joins from Alpha Media Portland to drive revenue growth.

Hip Hop

Power 105.1 Launches for Kansas City Hip Hop Fans

ShannSeptember 29, 2023May 26, 2026

by ShannSeptember 29, 2023May 26, 2026010

Cumulus Media launches Power 105.1/KCJK-FM as Kansas City's new hip hop and R&B destination, featuring Drake, Cardi B, and Beyonc� with local personalities.

Radio

iHeartMedia D.C. Names Jaxon BIG 100 Morning Host

ShannSeptember 29, 2023May 5, 2026

by ShannSeptember 29, 2023May 5, 2026011

iHeartMedia Washington, D.C. announced Jaxon as the new Morning Show Host for BIG 100, the classic rock station and home of the Washington Commanders, starting

Music Business News

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to Begin Major Expansion Next Month

Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 28, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 28, 2023May 9, 2026014

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame begins a $135 million, 50,000 square-foot expansion next month, adding new exhibition spaces and a multipurpose venue.

Hip Hop

Virgin Music Partners with CZARFACE on New Album

ShannSeptember 28, 2023May 26, 2026

by ShannSeptember 28, 2023May 26, 202606

Virgin Music signs hip-hop supergroup CZARFACE featuring Inspectah Deck from Wu-Tang Clan, Esoteric, and 7L to global deal for upcoming album release.

Sony Music Publishing

Sony Music Publishing UK Signs Pablo Navarro

ShannSeptember 28, 2023May 27, 2026

by ShannSeptember 28, 2023May 27, 202608

Sony Music Publishing UK signs acclaimed songwriter Pablo Bowman Navarro in global deal. The hitmaker behind Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding's No. 1 'Miracle' has

Radio

iHeartMedia Minneapolis Signs Timberwolves Deal

ShannSeptember 28, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannSeptember 28, 2023May 9, 202609

iHeartMedia Minneapolis signs exclusive multi-year deal with Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. KFAN 100.3 becomes new flagship station with dedicated streaming channel.

Music Business News

Ken Spellman aka “Special K” has Died

Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 27, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 27, 2023May 9, 20262 16

Industry veteran Ken Spellman, known as 'Special K,' has passed away. The digital creator founded Soundcheck Media Group and served as Program Director at Sirius

Industry Passings

Kevin Fleming, Music Industry Veteran, Dies at 65

Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 27, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 27, 2023May 9, 202608

Kevin Fleming, influential music industry veteran and CEO of The Urban Buzz, has died at 65 after battling pancreatic cancer. His 40+ year career spanned

Industry Passings

8 Mile Actor Nashawn Breedlove Has Died

Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 26, 2023May 26, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 26, 2023May 26, 202603

Nashawn Breedlove, the actor who played Lotto in Eminem's 8 Mile movie, has died at age 46. The New Jersey resident passed away in his

Music Business News

New York City Faces Ongoing Challenges Amid Migrant Influx

Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 26, 2023May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsSeptember 26, 2023May 9, 202606

NYC struggles with over 116,000 migrants arriving since spring 2022, straining shelter systems and resources. Mayor Adams declared emergency as city uses hotels and shelters.

Radio

Audacy Houston Raises 00,000 for Youth Home Libraries

ShannSeptember 26, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannSeptember 26, 2023May 9, 202601

Audacy Houston raised over $100,000 for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation during their 4th annual Giving Week campaign to provide home libraries for disadvantaged

Music Business News

LUCI Releases Third Single Spins Ahead of Debut Album Launch

ShannSeptember 26, 2023May 9, 2026

by ShannSeptember 26, 2023May 9, 202609

North Carolina artist LUCI releases her third single 'Spins' from debut album 'They Say They Love You,' dropping February 2. The track features production by