Rap Radar

T.I. visited Hot 97′s morning show. Above, he addressed the snitch allegations and gun control laws with Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg. After the jump, he defends his Grand Hustle artists’ Iggy Azalea and B.o.B. catering to Pop.

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Big Sean is currently in New York and visited Angie Martinez‘ rush hour drive. Besides flirting with Angie, here’s the topics that were discussed.

Break 1: Talks his Grammys nominations and his current love life.

Break 2: How his Detroit homecoming concert came about and the poverty in Detroit.

Break 3: Discusses the Connecticut shooting and says Hall of Fame is 80% done.

T.I. visited Flex last night on Hot 97 to plug his new album, Trouble Man. He planted his flag on paving the way for trap music and brought countless quotables to the mic. Listen up.

Break 1: Weighs in on the Jeezy and Rick Ross feud

Break 2: More ranting, skits on the album and Atlanta rap unity.

Break 3: He discusses features and aiding new talent.

Funk Funk celebrated 20 years on Hot 97 today by filling in for Mister Cee for the Throwback At Noon mix. DJ Red Alert & Marley Marl stopped through to celebrate as well. Pay homage and download the mix here.

As the debate between myself and Hot 97 rages on, Elliott weighs in with the latest episode of The Truth. Is Hot 97 really Blazing Hip-hop & R&B or sticking to the script? Find out above.

Niggaz done started something. Papoose broke bread with Hot 97′s morning drive and questioned the lack of local airplay. In a nutshell, Pap echoed my sentiments over the last few days. Afterward he spoke on his relationship with wife, Remy Ma.

Rosenberg:1. First off let’s be clear, this conversation was started by and has been fueled by bloggers who more than anything want to be on this radio station, alright? And that’s fine, so did I. 2. But I worked my way through the minor leagues for years to get to have this “dreaded Sunday night timeslot”, as it was referred to by my man B.Dot 3. And real quick, a lot of these bloggers talking trash about commercials we play and there’s no politics, I go to RapRadar.com, I see the MMG ads. I see the Def Jam ads and I see you blogging about MMG and Def Jam, so let’s not get too high on your high horse about commercials and things of that nature.

W’ssup niggas? Time to separate fact from fiction.

1. I’ve never submitted an air check nor asked for a time slot on Hot 97. So that’s bologna. Anytime I’ve cracked the mic, programmers or hosts have asked me to.

2. We’ve all worked our way through the proverbial “minor league”. Eight years ago, I started out at as an unpaid intern at Don Diva. Tiff and Kev what up! You and I both know, Real Late is on a dreaded time slot. Sundays suck. To be technical, the show is actually on Monday morning. By 12 A.M. most folks are sleeping or preparing for work. So really, who are you really playing music for?

3. During this entire exchange, I never mentioned commercials. Yes, they’re ads plastered on this website from record labels, but what’s your point? Those same record labels submit music and are also critiqued: good or bad. The difference is that record labels pay radio stations to play the music. Since payola is an illegal practice, programmers have found alternate ways to justify airplay.

But we’re getting off topic. The problem with urban radio (specifically in New York) is that most of the Radio DJs aren’t doing their jobs and programmers are allowing it. Say what you want about how important blogs are, but at the end of the day, the DJ is the sole controller and A&R of the streets. When you’re two stepping in the nightclub or riding around and getting it, your favorite website isn’t at the helm—it’s the DJ. And in New York, the Radio DJs control the nightclubs.

If you’re visiting this website, chances are you’re a hip-hop nerd. Myself included. The casual hip-hop/rap fan is exposed to new music via terrestrial radio. They’re not scouring the ‘net for the latest underground sensation. DJs need to close their wallets, roll up their sleeves, and consistently play good music for their audience.

MTV’s Rob Markman said it best, “There just needs to be more balance on both sides. Underground heads need to stop making records like it’s 1994 and radio has got to show more underground love.”

Peter Rosenberg had Joey Bada$$ in the studio last night on Hot 97. Following his interview, he and his Pro Era ensemble kicked a freestyle over some throwback instrumentals.

Days after Hot 97′s Program Director Ebro Darden drafted Sean Price into hip-hop’s minor leagues, P responded to the dismissal via his Twitter account. Read below. Cop Mic Tyson here.

@Rosenbergradio yo!!! Ok ok ok I just saw that clip with Ebro talking his shit its cool but if u mean I’m minor league because I’m not being played on on his [statation]. know what It was disrespectful @Rosenbergradio see what I was talking bout and now you turned into one of em FAM I’m done no more TALK.

Red and meth don’t get radio play are they minor leaguers? Memphis Bleek don’t get radio play is he a minor leaguer. Yeah that shit was disrespectful Fuck it they got that I’m done with it God bless em.

Fuck it man I got a song or 2 in rotation on shade 45 I appreciate that and I appreciate Ebro 2 at least he’s honest even tho it was a dis.

I’ve had it up to here with New York City radio. After hearing the same three songs in less than an hour on Hot 97, I tweeted  ”A NYC radio DJ could incorporate at LEAST 5 local records into their daily mix. But they don’t. Kinda sad. Yo @oldmanebro, change must come!”

@oldmanebro is Ebro Darden. He’s an Oakland native and Program Director of Hot 97. PDs are the boss of a radio station. Ebro responded to my tweet and a debate ensued including Hot 97 personalities Peter Rosenberg and Tat Wza.

Peter Rosenberg: What’s up with Hot 97 supporting good local underground hip-hop?

Ebro: Oh so, he wants Flatbush Zombies? Sean Price? Oh that’s what he wants? He wants Denzil Porter? Joey Bada$$? We support those records, but those are for the minor leagues right now, they still on the come up. We put them on Rosenberg’s Real Late show until they make it to prime time…

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