Throughout American history, Black broadcasters did more than just spin records. They were, for African-American listeners across the country, the important and influential voices and leaders of their communities.
One decidedly undercelebrated aspect of radio broadcasting history is the contributions Black people made to the medium; namely, as broadcasters, the voices behind the music selections, and news reported on the airwaves.
Here are just a few of the radio broadcasters picked for their pioneering spirit and influence in the TheIndustry.biz 2022 Top National Broadcasters.
Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey is a television host, actor, author, producer, comedian, and not to mention, an all-around, mogul. Today Steve Harvey remains known as the busiest man in Hollywood. In addition to his work on screen, radio, stage, and print, Steve Harvey is a dedicated mentor and an inspiring motivator to his fans. Harvey began his career doing stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s. He toured as one of the Kings of Comedy alongside Cedric the Entertainer, the late Bernie Mac, and D.L. Hughley.
The tour’s immediate success led to the taping of one of the most successful comedy specials in history — The Original Kings of Comedy. His stand-up success eventually led to an eight-year stint as host of It’s Showtime at the Apollo, as well as to various entertainment roles including acting, hosting, writing, and producing.
From hosting Showtime at the Apollo, Harvey became a household name. Steve Harvey is one of the only hosts to appear on competing networks at the same time. Harvey is one of the most recognizable and sought-after celebrities in the world. His relatable, honest, and inspiring personality has made him one of the most trusted personalities in media. 178,000,000 US viewers welcome Steve Harvey into their homes on a yearly basis—that’s over 55% of the total U.S. population.
Harvey began his radio career in September of the year, 2000. Joining the Premiere Networks’ national lineup, The Steve Harvey Morning Show combines heart, humor, and music along with celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment.
Harvey is joined on the show by Shirley Strawberry, Carla Ferrell, his “Nephew Tommy,” and Junior. His show airs on more than 100 radio stations nationally and reaches over six million weekly listeners. The Steve Harvey Morning Show is the most listened-to syndicated morning show in America.
For his work on the program, Steve Harvey was honored with the NAB Marconi Award for “Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year” in 2013 and 2015, and he was inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame the same year.
D.L. Hughley
D.L. Hughley is one of the most popular and highly recognized standup comedians on the road today and has also made quite an impression in the television, film, and radio arenas. Best known as the original host of BET’s Comic View from 1992 to 1993, and as the star and producer of his namesake television show that ran on ABC and UPN, The Hughleys, D.L. is also known as one of the standout comedians on the hit comedy docu-film, The Original Kings Of Comedy.
Known for being astute and politically savvy in true comedian style, D.L. Hughley is also one of the most recognized on-air radio personalities of The D.L. Hughley Show, an urban adult contemporary station, alongside co-host, Jasmine Sanders.
As the host of “The D.L. Hughley Show,”– a daily themed, music intensive afternoon drive radio program from 3-7 pm ET– Hughley, takes listeners on a no holds ride of humor and reality in the afternoons as a broadcaster. In August of 2013, REACH Media, the syndicator founded by Tom Joyner, announced it had finalized a deal with D.L. to host a new nationally syndicated afternoon drive show, distributed by Reach Media Networks.
Rickey Smiley
Rickey Smiley is a stand-up comedian, television host, actor, author, and award-winning radio broadcaster of the top-rated, nationally syndicated show, The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. A comedian for more than 30 years, Rickey is constantly performing across the country on his own theater tour and also makes special appearances on the Martin Lawrence-hosted, LIT AF Tour. Rickey’s tours often include a live band, which Rickey accompanies as an accomplished pianist and organist.
Starting his career at The Stardome Comedy Club in Birmingham, AL, and for over a year until the pandemic in 2020, Rickey sold out every Monday night at the club with Rickey Smiley’s Comedy & Karaoke Night, hosted by himself including a live band.
In 2008, Smiley signed a deal with Syndication One (a syndicated radio division of Radio One) to take the show nationwide, and The Rickey Smiley Morning Show is now heard on a number of mainstream urban radio stations, airing weekdays 6-10 am Eastern Time and 5-9 am Central nationwide.
The Rickey Smiley Morning Show is heard on over 80 radio stations across the country. His Southern appeal along with his blend of raw humor and personal authenticity as a community activist makes this the most compelling show on the radio.
In November of last year, Rickey won his second National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Person of the Year for The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, which is syndicated across the country including cities, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Portland, OR, Seattle and St Louis.
In 2017, Rickey won his first Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Person of the Year and he was nominated again in 2019 when he also served as host of the show. Smiley is joined by Da Brat, Gary With Da Tea, Eva Marcille, Special K, and Rock-T, along with Black Tony and JahLion Sound, rounding out the most entertaining ensemble you’ll ever hear.
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is the most-listened-to Hip-Hop and R&B morning show in America, featuring DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne Tha God.
The station’s flagship is Power 105.1 and it currently airs in over 90 radio markets around the U.S. Known for their unrivaled interviews and ability to connect with and engage audiences through their unique blend of honesty, wit, and humor, The Breakfast Club has created a must-stop destination for musicians, entertainers, and politicians alike. The results are the best interviews to be found on radio and digital.
The Breakfast Club includes segments such as Angela Yee’swhere Angela shares the latest pop-culture news, while Envy and Charlamagne share their unique opinions on each topic; Donkey of the Day Charlamagne chooses a public figure or celebrity to poke fun at after public missteps; and DJ Envy’s People’s Choice Mix – 25 minutes straight of DJ Envy’s award-winning music mixes.
“The world’s most dangerous morning show” is also available on-demand as a podcast and via their popular YouTube channel, which attracts billions of video views. The Radio Hall of Famers (as of August 2020) also host Weekends with The Breakfast Club, a three-hour weekly program featuring a countdown of the top 20 hits of the week. The program is broadcast live on weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. Eastern Time, with a recorded Saturday morning version.
Charlamagne Tha God is one of the most potent, influential, and authoritative voices in media. He is a New York Times best-selling author as well as the creator of the Black Effect Podcast Network. Charlamagne Tha God is one of the most potent, influential, and authoritative voices in media. He is a New York Times best-selling author as well as the creator of the Black Effect Podcast Network. Charlamagne Tha God is one of the most potent, influential, and authoritative voices in media. He is a New York Times best-selling author as well as the creator of the Black Effect Podcast Network.
DeDe McGuire
A trailblazer and industry leader, DeDe McGuire has been entertaining, empowering, and enlightening radio audiences for years. Her talent, work ethic, and personality are the reasons why she is one of only a few women nationwide to have her very own nationally syndicated morning show. She is a philanthropist, community activist, mentor, and volunteer. DeDe McGuire strives to continue being a popular media personality, strong working woman, and entrepreneur.
She has been recognized within her industry and community. Some of her accolades include the International Black Broadcasters (IBBA) Lifetime Achievement Award; winner of The Elite News Communications Award; Shades of Success Honoree; and named one of the Top 25 Women in Dallas by Rolling out Magazine.
Since 2011, DeDe McGuire has been the host of “DeDe in the Morning” on K104FM (Dallas, TX). The show is on air Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM until 10:00 AM (CST). Along with co-host Lady Jade and comedian J.J. Williamson, DeDe in the Morning has consistently been a top rating fixture in the Dallas/Ft. Worth radio market.
In 2018, Service Broadcasting (owner of K104 FM in Dallas) and McGuire announced the selection of Compass Media Networks to manage the national syndication of DeDe In the Morning. In less than two years of national syndication, DeDe in the Morning is now heard nationwide in over 50 markets.
With a mixture of silly and serious, DeDe In The Morning explores the day’s topics such as the latest national headlines, hip-hop culture happenings, artist news, and community events.
Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon is the quintessential entertainer, an American TV host, actor, director, comedian, and musician. He rose to fame at the age of 17 as a staff writer for the Nickelodeon comedy sketch series All That (1994), becoming the youngest writer in TV history. Cannon went on to direct and star on Nickelodeon’s The Nick Cannon Show in 2002, and currently, he is the Host and Executive Producer of Fox’s #1 hit TV show, “The Masked Singer”, as well as the Creator, Host, and Executive Producer of MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out.” In 2009, Cannon was named chairman of the TeenNick network, making him “the youngest TV chairman in history”.
Cannon made his big-screen debut in Drumline (2002) and starred in Love Don’t Cost a Thing (2003), Shall We Dance (2004), Roll Bounce (2005), Bobby (2006), and Chi-Raq (2015). In 2007, he earned a Screen Actors Guild nomination for outstanding performance by a cast for Bobby. He also became the first African-American awarded breakthrough actor of the year at the Cannes Film Festival.
Currently, Cannon hosts his own show “Nick Cannon Mornings” at Power 106 in Los Angeles. Nick Cannon’s show replaced J. Cruz’s “The Cruz Show” in the 5 am – 10 am time slot after J. Cruz went over to urban contemporary hip hop iHeart Radio rival KRRL “Real 92.3” for their afternoon drive show.
Ebro
Ibrahim Jamil “Ebro” Darden is an American media executive and radio personality. Currently, a co-host of the Hot 97 morning show Ebro in the Morning, alongside Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez, Ebro has taken mornings at Hot 97 to the #1 most listened to local New York Hip-Hop show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
“Ebro in the Morning” is about Hip-Hop Music to Hip-Hop News, this show never fails to be honest. Whether he’s going in on the day’s events or going at it with fans on social media, Ebro really just wants everyone to love Hip-Hop.
After being on-air from 1990 to 2003, Ebro was hired by Hot 97 to come to New York City, where he worked as Music Director and later Programming Director, and also hosted MTV’s “Sucker Free Countdown”. Ebro has worked alongside several past Hot 97 morning show co-hosts from 2004 to 2007, before rejoining the team in 2012 according to Nielsen© Ratings for 2015.
Tye Tribett
Tye Tribett is the multiple Grammy Award winner, 11-time Billboard chart-topper, and Soul Train Music Award-winning icon. With five #1 albums, two #1 radio singles, four #1 digital song sale singles, and eight top 10 songs. In his career, he’s had over 317 million global streams with over 1.3 million albums sold. On Youtube, he has eclipsed 56 million views. And he’s rocked national TV performances such as The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The BET Awards. He’s currently one of the most inspirational voices online.
Currently, Tribett can be heard on “The Come Up with Tye Tribbett.” An energetic and inspirational one-hour daily radio show designed for R&B/Hip-Hop, Rhythmic, and Gospel/Inspirational stations, featuring the biggest hits from artists such as Jonathan McReynolds, LeCrae, The Hamiltones, and more. “What’s the Word” also spotlights guest interviews and listener interactive features. Available to air in pre-morning drive and other dayparts.
Rushion McDonald
Rushion Mcdonald is the newest addition to the list of top broadcasters in the nation. His show, Money Making Conversations, has exploded as a part time show during the weekends throughout the nation.
McDonald got his start as a comedian in the industry then worked with Steve Harvey, teaming up to create some of the most recognizable and successful brands. He branched out on his own over the last couple of years and has made an impressive and successful venture into creating his own brands like Money Making Conversations, a successful newsletter, an HBCU Radio Network and a baking network for delectable, unique and amazing deserts. He is an expert at turning his passions into businesses. Rushion is a brand expert who has only scratched the surface of where he is going.
Cafe Mocha
Café Mocha is the #1 nationally syndicated radio show for ‘women of color.’ it’s on over 45 stations nationwide as a weekend show.
Over the past ten years, more than 200 men, women, and organizations have been honored through the Salute Awards series who have a shared mission to make a difference by serving their communities. With a mission to preserve our legacy and pay tribute to current trailblazers.
Café Mocha hosts comedienne and actress Loni Love, hip hop icon YoYo and broadcast veteran Angelique Perrin bring their own distinct flavors to today’s issues, social commentary, celebrity interviews, and self-help advice all to empower your weekend with the best back drop of urban contemporary music. To learn more about Café Mocha radio visit www.CafeMochaRadio.com.
