Hip Hop & R&B Radio History & News

David Lowrey Sues Spotify for $150M Royalty Dispute

Digital and Radio FactsJanuary 5, 2016May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsJanuary 5, 2016May 9, 202607

Cracker frontman David Lowrey filed a $150 million class action lawsuit against Spotify, alleging the streaming service knowingly distributed copyrighted music without proper mechanical licenses

Radio

WJMZ Breaks Format to Honor Natalie Cole

Digital and Radio FactsJanuary 4, 2016April 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsJanuary 4, 2016April 8, 202606

WJMZ in Greenville, SC broke format to honor Natalie Cole with a special 4-hour tribute after her passing on New Year's Eve. Listeners called in

Reviewed

Gracenote Dynamic EQ for Car Audio

Digital and Radio FactsJanuary 4, 2016May 26, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsJanuary 4, 2016May 26, 202609

Gracenote launches Dynamic EQ technology that automatically adjusts car audio settings for each song played, optimizing sound quality across genres from hip-hop to pop.

Hip Hop

Kendrick Lamar Shows What Hard Work is All About

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 24, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 24, 2015May 9, 202606

Kendrick Lamar demonstrates the power of hard work with Grammy nominations for 'To Pimp a Butterfly.' The Compton rapper shares inspirational insights.

Hip Hop

Chicago Rapper, King Louie Shot in the Head

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 24, 2015May 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 24, 2015May 8, 2026013

Chicago rapper King Louie was shot in the head Wednesday afternoon in the Ashburn neighborhood. The 27-year-old artist is awake and talking according to his

Hip Hop

Diddy Signs Another Big Deal

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 24, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 24, 2015May 9, 202605

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' REVOLT network signs major distribution deal with DIRECTV, making the multi-platform music network available on channel 384.

Singers

Allstate Fan Fest Returns: 10th Year with Usher

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015May 9, 2026015

Usher headlines the 10th annual Allstate Fan Fest in New Orleans before the 2016 Sugar Bowl. The R&B superstar performs free at Jackson Square on

Radio

Former Obama Caign Analytics Chief to Guide CBS RADIO

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015May 9, 202606

CBS Radio hires Michael Simon, former Obama presidential campaign analytics chief, as senior advisor to enhance data capabilities and develop political advertising strategies for 2016

Radio

Former Obama Campaign Analytics Chief to Guide CBS RADIO

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015April 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015April 8, 202607

CBS RADIO hires Michael Simon, former Obama presidential campaign analytics leader, as senior advisor to enhance data capabilities and develop political advertising strategies.

Music Business News

The Beatles are Now Streaming On Napster

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 23, 2015May 9, 2026017

The Beatles' complete U.K. catalogue of 13 studio albums is now available for streaming on Napster as of December 24th. The legendary band's music becomes

Comedians

Steve Harvey Asked to Host 2016 Miss Universe

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 22, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 22, 2015May 9, 202609

Steve Harvey has been invited back to host the 2016 Miss Universe pageant despite his crowning mistake. Officials praise his handling of the error and

Radio

AccuRadio’s Top Charts 2015: Who Dominated Most-Played & Highest-Rated

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 22, 2015April 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 22, 2015April 8, 202608

AccuRadio reveals their most-played and highest-rated songs of 2015 across multiple genres, featuring hits from Taylor Swift, Adele, The Weeknd, and more.

Singers

Erykah Badu on Tech Slavery and Fan Intimacy

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 202606

Erykah Badu reveals how she hid her phone number in mixtape artwork for fans to call her. The neo-soul icon discusses technology and social media

Music Business News

Tyrese Ends TGT on Instagram; Ginuwine Reacts Badly

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 202607

Tyrese announced TGT's breakup on Instagram, stating he and Tank would continue without Ginuwine. Ginuwine's harsh response revealed tensions within the R&B supergroup.

Reviewed

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 8, 2026010

FX premieres The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story in early 2016, featuring Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. and an all-star cast including John

Music Business News

Rita Ora Claims Roc Nation Contract Unenforceable

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 2026011

Rita Ora files lawsuit claiming her Roc Nation contract is unenforceable, citing feeling 'orphaned' by the label after seven years with only one album released.

Radio

CBS Prepares Extensive Coverage for Super Bowl 50 Broadcast

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 18, 2015May 9, 202606

CBS prepares extensive multi-platform coverage for Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, featuring shows from nine CBS divisions broadcasting from San Francisco.

Singers

Erykah Badu Sings Christmas Songs with De De In the Morning

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 17, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 17, 2015May 9, 202607

Erykah Badu visits K104's De De in the Morning show to discuss her Iggy Azalea comments and promote her mixtape while singing Christmas songs with

Music Business News

Spotify is Trying to Replace the DJ at Your Party

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 17, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 17, 2015May 9, 202607

Spotify launches Party feature with professionally mixed playlists and beat-matched music. Includes exclusive content from DJ Diplo and mood-tuning controls.

Record Labels Reviewed

Music Labels: Americans Favor Smaller Revenue Share

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 16, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 16, 2015May 9, 2026017

Survey reveals 53% of Americans believe music labels should get smaller revenue share so artists and streaming companies can make a living. Only 9% think

Radio

Superadio and DSP Media Partner for “South Traxx Radio”

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015April 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015April 8, 202605

Superadio Networks partners with DSP Media to syndicate South Traxx Radio, a weekly 3-hour mix show featuring Southern Hip Hop and R&B artists like Rick

Radio

Radio Facts “5 Days to Raise” Returns in 2016 with Event

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015April 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015April 8, 202609

Radio Facts announces the return of their '5 Days to Raise' charity campaign in 2016 with a special event to help less fortunate music and

Radio

The Breakfast Club Radio Show Anniversary

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015April 8, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015April 8, 2026010

The Breakfast Club Radio Show celebrates its anniversary with a star-studded concert featuring 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Pusha T, and more at Hammerstein Ballroom.

Singers

Ray and Vivian Chew Gospel Concert

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015May 9, 202602

Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew produced a Gospel Sing Along concert at Carnegie Hall featuring Grammy winners Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell, with surprise

Radio

NY Market Radio Association Q3 Report

Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015May 9, 2026

by Digital and Radio FactsDecember 15, 2015May 9, 202609

NYMRAD releases comprehensive Third Quarter report analyzing New York radio market impact on consumers and local advertising landscape with insights on holiday shopping trends.