Classic Hip-Hop War...Observations

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

It was only a matter of time before the new format made it's way to the ATL and now it's 3 stations battling it out. All 3 have a different sound considering they're all riding with the "Classic Hip-Hop" positioners.

::OLD SCHOOL 99.3/1010::

The first out of all 3 to go the classic Hip-Hop route. Originally only operating on the AM side as OLD SCHOOL 1010 with an Urban Oldies format, I said it last year it was only a matter of time before Hegwood got the station on a FM translator. The signal on the FM side is the main issue, but that is soon to be fixed to cover a broader area of the metro. Being locally owned and operated truly has it advantages musically. 99.3/1010 has the best playlist against the competitors, IMO. A few late 80s Hip-Hop tracks, but the majority of the songs I've heard focuses on the 90s to mid 2000s. The variety definitively has a Down South twist from artist from local ATL artist like Outkast, Kilo, Gucci Mane, Goodie Mob, Yola and others. Also, they also spin the classic R&B from 90s to mid 2000s artist like Next, Mary J Blidge, Jagged Edge and 112.


::BOOM 102.9::

As predicted, Radio One's "BOOM" Classic Hip-Hop format made it's way to the ATL after Houston, Philly and Dallas flipped first. The signal covers the immediate metro area very well. There is definitely energy in the format with the voiceovers done by Pat Garret. Musically, this stations takes me back to the original HOT 97.5 era. They play the Hip-Hop artist from late 80s to mid 2000s with a big local presentation from artist like Youngbloodz, DaBrat, Lil Jon and SoSo Def. A sprinkle of classic dancehall is also in the mic from core artist like Sean Paul, Nina Sky and Wayne Wonder. Unlike 99.3/1010, BOOM 102.9 doesn't play the classic R&B, it's all Classic Hip-Hop. Overall, they are definitely going to make a mark and give the competition a battle.


::OG 97.9::

This is Cumulus first attempt at an Urban station in ATL. Judging by the horrible logo and only 2 postings on Facebook, I don't expect this station to be around long. It seems like a testing stage for the format with Cumulus. Compared to the other 2 stations, there is no advertising nor cross promoting for OG 97.9. Musically, the playlist focuses the late 80s to mid 2000s like to competition, however the playlist doesn't have a huge variety nor a Down South/Local spin at all. The average artist like Missy, Notorious BIG, Aaliyah, Ice Cube and Tupac are in rotation. It kinda sounds like a old school Rhythmic station when Hip-Hop was crossing over in the late 90s/early 2000s. Listening over the weekend, the same song played twice back to back and lots of the same songs played again within a hour or two. If they want to survive, they definitely need to step up to the plate, especially consider they have the best signal out of the 3.

 

[ATL4Life]

99.3 hasn't been coming in good enough for me to be actively listening to it but the major differences I've heard between BOOM 102.9 plays a lot more southern hip-hop, while OG 97.9 plays a lot more pop hip-hop, songs like Baby Got Back, Paul Revere, The Real Slim Shady, U Cant Touch This. I'm honestly enjoying both of the stations equally, and ideally both of them would stay, but I'd be more willing to lose OG 97.9, since Cumulus could do something different with the station.

 

[Kdm Project]

It was only a matter of time before the new format made it's way to the ATL and now it's 3 stations battling it out. All 3 have a different sound considering they're all riding with the "Classic Hip-Hop" positioners.

::OLD SCHOOL 99.3/1010::

.... the majority of the songs I've heard focuses on the 90s to mid 2000s. The variety definitively has a Down South twist from artist from local ATL artist ....

Hmmm.... does this mean bass is back?

Any A-Town Players, Raheem The-Dream, Dj Taz, Inoj, Carl-Mo & Zae, etc. and bass remixes of urban hits like "Imagination" by Tamia and stuff like that?

 

[ganugga]

Hello. New poster here but I had to jump into this discussion. First off I was raised in Ga. I'm a 1980 baby. With that being said these 3 stations were needed BAD in Atlanta. KDAY in LA is the originator of this type of format. I listened to KDAY online for years because radio sucks if you grew up on 80s 90s hip hop. So a week or the previous week I received an email about 99.3. When I saw the logo I automatically knew this is what Atlanta was missing bad. So I listened to it online all day at work. Later I went to go some more research and found out that 2 additional stations were added. I was as happy as a crack head finding a garbage bag filled with free crack lol. At first I was worried that we had too many stations at one time but after listening to all 3 of them this past weekend they should all be able to stay in Atlanta for many years to come....


97.9

I think the previous station was a pop hip hop station? If so it will be easier for them to get new listeners fast because I'm sure the same people listening to their old station will be more than happy to hear this new station. Im not sure but the commercials seemed to fit into the demo for listeners in the northern suburbs. I heard a lot of classic national hip hop with a lot of classic party tracks. I heard songs that I have heard on other stations like Vanilla Ice and a lot of Eminem. Personally they can play Vanilla Ice once every 30 mins and I wouldn't care because it is damn better than what he had previously lol. This station definitely will be here for a long time because that demographic hasn't had any radio not even close to comparing to what they offer. Their FB friends have been steading increasing daily. The signal goes the farthest north out of all the 3 new stations so they are making sure their demographic can hear them

Boom 102.9

I can't get their signal clear so I only heard it when I went into the city. I was worried since out of all the new stations this is the only station that did not have any commercials. Later I found out this is the same station that owns 107.9, Magic 97.5 and the gospel station so Im sure they know what they are doing. I figure initially it will be more challenging to get new listeners because the previous station was a gospel station and I'm sure the people listening to gospel will not listen to this station. There signal only goes about a few miles OTP so a lot of people way out in the suburbs will not be able to listen unless they listen online. Music wise this station is off the chain. I cant complain about anything music wise. They are straight jamming 24/7. I felt like I was in Atlanta back in the late 90s.

99.3

Since this station is owned by 94.5 they should be able to gain listeners fast since they were promoting this new station last week on 94.5. Im not sure if they continued to promote their sister stations because I have listened to any of the normal Atlanta radio stations since these 3 launched. They already have a few commercials so that's good. There music list is about the same as 102.9. It's kinda like an fight between 107.9 vs 94.5 at an old school level lol. Music wise no complaints either. Great music 24/7

All in all each of these stations should be able to be favorites for anyone between 30-50 who likes Old School hip hop. To me this is the biggest upgrade Atlanta has had since the Olympics. This was one of the few things Atlanta was missing and that was an old school hip hop station and now we got 3 of them. I have listened to the radio for this much in years. Literally I went to sleep with these stations on (whichever one was the clearest at that moment). V-103 and Hot 1079 will still be in demand because you can hear them one hour outside of Atlanta. You can only hear these 3 new stations about 5-10 miles OTP if you are luckly. All in all I'm very happy at all these stations. I have preset my stations with these stations from 1-3. I haven't even listened to the other hip hop stations since these launched and don't plan on listening unless I cant get the signal clear when im OTP

 

[Kdm Project]

99.3 ..... There music list is about the same as 102.9.

So, they both heavily cater to Atlanta and play bass hits? I wonder what mixshows will be like...

I'm sure OG plays the basics like tootsie roll and baby got back and shake it, etc.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

KDM, yessss sir bass is in the mix on both BOOM 102.9 and OLD SCHOOL 99.3/1010. So far, I've heard...
Luke - I Wanna Rock
Lil Jon - Shawty Freak A Lil Something
Kilo - Show You
Lathun - Freak It
DJ Taz - That's Right

On OG 97.9 I haven't heard any bass unless I'm just missing it. OG's Facebook page hasn't been updated since November 25th, but they do have a huge number of positive comments. Now here is where Cumulus will mess up!!! Listeners are feeling it but they aren't interacting with them. Also, lots of other races besides African Americans are posting which is awesome. Out of all 3 they do play a little bit more of artist like Dougie Fresh, Run DMC, DJ Kool and Tupac. No local old school hip-hop though.

 

[ganugga]

So, they both heavily cater to Atlanta and play bass hits? I wonder what mixshows will be like...

I'm sure OG plays the basics like tootsie roll and baby got back and shake it, etc.

They both cater to Atlanta and the south in general. They still play songs from other regions but generally speaking to answer your question yes.

 

[Kdm Project]

KDM, yessss sir bass is in the mix on both BOOM 102.9 and OLD SCHOOL 99.3/1010. So far, I've heard...
Luke - I Wanna Rock
Lil Jon - Shawty Freak A Lil Something
Kilo - Show You
Lathun - Freak It
DJ Taz - That's Right

On OG 97.9 I haven't heard any bass unless I'm just missing it. OG's Facebook page hasn't been updated since November 25th, but they do have a huge number of positive comments. Now here is where Cumulus will mess up!!! Listeners are feeling it but they aren't interacting with them. Also, lots of other races besides African Americans are posting which is awesome. Out of all 3 they do play a little bit more of artist like Dougie Fresh, Run DMC, DJ Kool and Tupac. No local old school hip-hop though.

That's cool. Hopefully some mixshows and dj's are added soon.

I have this feeling that two of the three stations will change as ONE of the three stations dominate. Then, the dominating station will possibly be moved to a bigger signal and take some of the tracks that the other two stations are playing and add it to rotation if it's not already playing certain tracks. Most or some dj's or on air personalities from each station will end up over at the dominating one.

I do not see two or three classic hip hop stations simultaneously existing for long.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

That's cool. Hopefully some mixshows and dj's are added soon.

I have this feeling that two of the three stations will change as ONE of the three stations dominate. Then, the dominating station will possibly be moved to a bigger signal and take some of the tracks that the other two stations are playing and add it to rotation if it's not already playing certain tracks. Most or some dj's or on air personalities from each station will end up over at the dominating one.

I do not see two or three classic hip hop stations simultaneously existing for long.

OLD SCHOOL 99.3 will start a new live club broadcast next Saturday with the return of Jerry Smokin B on the airwaves alongside Jammin Jay. I see this battle being between Hegwood and Radio One. OLD SCHOOL 99.3 will probably be the one making noise and moves in the city first as far as DJs and mix shows. The signal on 99.3 is supposed to be moving to the central tower this week or next week which will boost coverage. STREETZ 94.5 is doing a ton of social media crossover promos for OLD SCHOOL. I'd assume BOOM 102.9 will be a juke box without DJs not wanting to do damage to the existing 3 sister stations. Cumulus' OG 97.9 will probably be the one to drop out the war considering how often any formats on that station changes.

 

[Kdm Project]

Wondering if Mami Chula will pop up as a result of any of this.
Also wondering if the live club broadcasts will be all old school, or more Majic style.

 

[ganugga]

OLD SCHOOL 99.3 will start a new live club broadcast next Saturday with the return of Jerry Smokin B on the airwaves alongside Jammin Jay. I see this battle being between Hegwood and Radio One. OLD SCHOOL 99.3 will probably be the one making noise and moves in the city first as far as DJs and mix shows. The signal on 99.3 is supposed to be moving to the central tower this week or next week which will boost coverage. STREETZ 94.5 is doing a ton of social media crossover promos for OLD SCHOOL. I'd assume BOOM 102.9 will be a juke box without DJs not wanting to do damage to the existing 3 sister stations. Cumulus' OG 97.9 will probably be the one to drop out the war considering how often any formats on that station changes.

You sure? 97.9 has the most commercials followed by 99.3. 102.9 does not have one commercial yet. I may be wrong but I think 97.9 commercial wise will be geared to the suburban crowd that the other two stations will be geared to the urban crowd. 97.9 has no competition commercial wise. 97.9 has over 1000 FB followers with no major promoting. 102.9 and 99.3 are going to be the stations competing against the same advertisers. You know for example a club on Memorial Dr or Old National isnt going to promote on 97.9. Plus I dont think most people still do not even know about any of these stations because when I bring it up to people most of them look at me like Im crazy lol.

BTW why would they add a new station if they dont want it to compete with their other stations? I think 97.9 has the best chance at lasting because they have a huge following now. Wait until a few months once more people find out about them

 

[ganugga]

Wondering if Mami Chula will pop up as a result of any of this.
Also wondering if the live club broadcasts will be all old school, or more Majic style.

I hope it will be exactly like it was back in the 90s. That would be beautiful

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

The only reason I have my doubts with 97.9 is because Cumulus has played the wheel of formats on that station and the 98.9 translator. Look what they did in Dallas. Flipped HOT 93.3 from Pop to Classic Hip-Hop to Urban Contemporary all within 2 months. Those commercials on 97.9 are the same commercials that were playing as Q100|20 @97.9 and some still even mention Q100. Sampling the new OG 97.9 gives me a vibe from the 95.5 THE BEAT early years. I love all 3 of the new stations since they cater to my era, but my FM radio presets are Urban saturated with a total of 9 stations!!! Idk who's leading the pack, ATL or Birmingham?

KDM, I'm more than certain OLD SCHOOL 99.3's new live club broadcast will be turnt! Jerry Smokin B was a huge hit back in the day when HOT 97.5 blew up! Jammin' Jay is also a well known DJ and programmer from Albany, GA so I can only imagine how the bass sets will sound! It'll be interesting to see who the On-Air lineup will consist of.

 

[Unregistered]

The only reason I have my doubts with 97.9 is because Cumulus has played the wheel of formats on that station and the 98.9 translator. Look what they did in Dallas. Flipped HOT 93.3 from Pop to Classic Hip-Hop to Urban Contemporary all within 2 months. Those commercials on 97.9 are the same commercials that were playing as Q100|20 @97.9 and some still even mention Q100. Sampling the new OG 97.9 gives me a vibe from the 95.5 THE BEAT early years. I love all 3 of the new stations since they cater to my era, but my FM radio presets are Urban saturated with a total of 9 stations!!! Idk who's leading the pack, ATL or Birmingham?

KDM, I'm more than certain OLD SCHOOL 99.3's new live club broadcast will be turnt! Jerry Smokin B was a huge hit back in the day when HOT 97.5 blew up! Jammin' Jay is also a well known DJ and programmer from Albany, GA so I can only imagine how the bass sets will sound! It'll be interesting to see who the On-Air lineup will consist of.

I didn't know Bham had that many stations...Wow! I didn't know that about Cumulus, thanks for the heads up. I will be in the house Saturday night. Jerry Smoking B is definitely a legend in Atlanta's Urban Radio market. Hopefully in the next few months they will have a live broadcast from Thursday - Sunday for us older heads. I would love for the energy Atlanta had in the 90s to come back with these radio stations. The energy is slowly changing in a good way.

I hope they don't have a morning show which I'm sure they will.

BTW I haven't listened to any of the other stations since these 3 stations popped up. I don't know of any new local street songs or anything lol. I'm sure 94.5 has blow up several songs but I don't know any of them since I have changed my dial yet.

 

[ganugga]

Question. Why do people say that these stations are too many stations in Atlanta with this format even though it's no problem having V-103, Hot 1079 and Streetz 94.5 having the same format? Why can 3 hip hop stations with todays hip hop work but 3 old school stations cant? Am I missing something??

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Question. Why do people say that these stations are too many stations in Atlanta with this format even though it's no problem having V-103, Hot 1079 and Streetz 94.5 having the same format? Why can 3 hip hop stations with todays hip hop work but 3 old school stations cant? Am I missing something??

I think many have doubts here because the format is fairly new to Atlanta and the fact that 3 different companies launched it at the same time. Radio One's plans to move BOOM to the stronger 97.5 frequency proves the format is more than likely here to stay. Steve Hegwood now has the perfect Urban combo with STREETZ 94.5 and OLD SCHOOL 99.3/1010 so I don't expect that station to drop out neither. Hopefully Cumulus sticks with OG 97.9, especially after the tremendous amount of positive comments on it's social media sites. They do stand out with more of a Rhythmic/Classic Hip-Hop sound.

 

[ganugga]

I think many have doubts here because the format is fairly new to Atlanta and the fact that 3 different companies launched it at the same time. Radio One's plans to move BOOM to the stronger 97.5 frequency proves the format is more than likely here to stay. Steve Hegwood now has the perfect Urban combo with STREETZ 94.5 and OLD SCHOOL 99.3/1010 so I don't expect that station to drop out neither. Hopefully Cumulus sticks with OG 97.9, especially after the tremendous amount of positive comments on it's social media sites. They do stand out with more of a Rhythmic/Classic Hip-Hop sound.

That's what I'm saying. Unless people know something that I dont know every person (28-50) that I put onto these stations are shocked and very happy. Everybody from 28-50 knew Atlanta needed these stations bad. Hell if they promote these stations right they could be more profitable than the regular stations because people my age dont listen to that bullshyt on those other stations unless they are listening to the morning shows. The only thing that I would recommend these stations doing is to dig a little deeper into the songs that they are playing. Dig deeper in the No Limit, Cash Money, Outkast, Tupac, Biggie, Death Row, etc catalogs because the songs are repeating but Id rather hear P Diddy 10 times a day instead of that BS on those other stations lol. I fawks with OG 97.9 because they play those artist that people dont hear much anymore like MC Hammer lol. Boom 102.9 plays some songs I never heard on the radio b4 like Tupac "Live and Die in LA and Life Goes On" 8 Ball and MJG "Space Age Pimpin" etc. They should add songs like Lay it Down and Armed Robbery from 8 Ball or Hit'em Up, Outlawz and Brendas Got a baby,etc into rotation but Im sure it will happen soon since they are still new. They will have to keep rotating songs in and out because this isn't like the regular stations they always have new music added constantly. I have also heard at least two stations playing the same song at the same time recently but like I said this is way better than what we had before and I will be really really really pissed off if these stations leave Atlanta.

 

[Kdm Project]

KDM, I'm more than certain OLD SCHOOL 99.3's new live club broadcast will be turnt! Jerry Smokin B was a huge hit back in the day when HOT 97.5 blew up! Jammin' Jay is also a well known DJ and programmer from Albany, GA so I can only imagine how the bass sets will sound! It'll be interesting to see who the On-Air lineup will consist of.

I keep missing the broadcast because I'm always either dj'ing an event or out with friends or staying at a friend's house who has no internet during the time of the broadcast. The first night of the Saturday broadcast I had just returned to Phoenix from Maryland/D.C. and I heard a bit of the first hour of the broadcast using airport internet on my phone. They were playing a bunch of back to back snap music, mostly from the end of the crunk era, like "snap yo fingas," "It's going down" and "rock yo hips," etc. Haven't been able to listen long enough to hear any bass music yet. Maybe if they get super turnt this week and go all out with an extended New Years Mix all weekend from Wednesday evening through Sunday, I can catch them mixing up some bass music. I also would like to hear some of that classic Timbaland/Missy style dirty south music.