Taken from another post - Black gay radio in ATL

[Word!]

The market's always had a hole for the black gay format.

Now, there's been a few chr-gay stations "Pride radio" pop up on HD2, and the chicago one was killed off.. mainly i'd say because HD2 overall doesn't have a following yet.

But I feel that 'gay' is not a radio format. But CHR/Main is a format, Urban is a format, Country is a format. Much like "Spanish" is not a format, but Spanish Country is (Regional Mexican) Spanish CHR, Spanish Newstalk, etc.

In the clubs, on the radio, people listen to MUSIC, and happen to be gay or straight. Focusing on a radio station to cater specifically to the gay community and calling it "Pride Radio" i believe is a hard sell, especially where many business are staffed by Republicans and "Bible bangers." (not bashing political parties or beliefs, just stating overall fact). Much like Black racism and discrimination of "do we want those people in our business," I can see the same reaction to gay folk, even though those two demo's have a major spending force.

The approach that radio stations can tap into, is instead of focusing on an overall gay branding of the station itself, they can focus on promotion and sponsorship of gay events. So far, has any Urban radio station ever done a live broadcast from a gay club, or at least promoted one for example the "#1 alternative Saturday night spot, live with DJ XXX"?

Not that i know of.

 

[mikl73]

KKDL in Dallas was a dance station that was marketed largely to the gay community. They didn't brand themselves as a gay station but did not deny that their audience was largely gay. The did not alienate straight dance listeners either.

I agree that the term may alienate people who do not identify as gay. I think something "gay friendly" and without labels would work better. Isn't that what it's all about in the first place. Shedding labels and stereotypes?

 

[Talk_Dude]

Isn't "dance" just a subtle euphemism for homosexual, like "urban" is a subtle euphemism for Black.

I realize some people still think "dance" just means it has a nice beat, and that "urban" means people who live in the city. That's why the words work so well as euphemisms.

 

[Word!]

Isn't "dance" just a subtle euphemism for homosexual, like "urban" is a subtle euphemism for Black.

I realize some people still think "dance" just means it has a nice beat, and that "urban" means people who live in the city. That's why the words work so well as euphemisms.

Which is why some stations bill as Rhythmic when they only play most of the hard core hip hop and some rnb. Its a shame.

I see what you're saying at the same time Energy in chicago was pure dance, but was NOT marketed as a gay station, and it billed well, its a club format overall and the city was able to support it, from all people.

There are definietly prejudices in everything and stereotypes. And when it comes to business, pre-concieved notions can make you or break you...

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

The black gay community isn't into the typical Dance format. Baltimore Club Music is more of the black gay thing which can be heard on MAJIC 107.5 during mixhows and sometimes on GROOVE 105.7. Atlanta does have a huge black gay population, but Hip-Hop and R&B is still Afrcan American's main music format regardless of gay or straight.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Baltimore Club Music (Bmore) VS Electro-Hip Hop, Electro-Dance, & Urban Dance

As for me, Baltimore Club Music is better than no dance music at all, and it's the most reasonably sensible type of sound out of all dance sounds for an urban format, so that's why I talk about this more in the Atlanta side of things. The only problem with talking about Bmore is I've found out that people have different styles of Bmore in mind. There's an old school sound of it that sounds quite different from the new school sound of it, but I'm mainly into the new school Bmore/electro-hip hop sound, similar to "shots" by LMFAO & Lil Jon or even the remix of "move (if you wanna)" by Mims.

I don't really think Dj Class "I'm the ish" is really the best Bmore song out there (the same way I didn't think "gasolina" by Daddy Yankee was "the best" reggaeton song), but it is perfect for giving an example of a certain sound. I tend to support anything that encourages radio dj's to play more uptempo hits or whatever style of dance earns its way to radio play, and also any station formats that would most likely tend to feature mixshows where any style of electro-dance could be played, but if it were up to me personally, I'd prefer the WPOW, WBBM, WKQI, WDRE, and even KVBE style of formatting and dance sounds. I'd never get by with suggesting (Amercian) urbans start playing regular dance hits or british dance music (like London urbans do..), even in the mix, but at least (new school) baltimore club music and electro-hip hop is a more reasonable suggestion - being that this type of mainstream dance sound is what's taking off right now - and it is better than no dance or uptempo at all.

It's unfortunate that bass music "died", and since today's bass (and urban dance in general) is more electrofied, most of it is not even seen as urban material at all (despite the fact that many rappers have moved towards this sound). I also miss the days when urbans also played (at least urban) dance. These days, it seems like the only electro-hip hop/dance hit urban's know is "OMG" by Usher (which is full of Baltimore Club elements).

 

[Word!]

Baltimore club and D.C. Go-Go (are they the same?) don't appeal to me at all... its strange to me. But I guess maybe someone from out of town might think that Chicago Juke is strange. I love the diversity of each region.. I just wish that more stations would capitalize on their localism alot more. Its time to go back to it.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Baltimore club and D.C. Go-Go (are they the same?) don't appeal to me at all... its strange to me. But I guess maybe someone from out of town might think that Chicago Juke is strange. I love the diversity of each region.. I just wish that more stations would capitalize on their localism alot more. Its time to go back to it.

I agree with you Word! Now days most Urbans are playing the same top 25 songs. When i have time the listen online and travel I do hear stations catering the there regional sounds, but only on weekends mixshows.

92Q/Baltimore - B'more Club Music
95.5WPGC - DC GoGo
POWER 102.9 - New Orleans Bounce

 

[OUTRadio]

I manage OUT Radio, a master schedule of LGBT stations/programs that stream live on internet radio. There are a ton of gay programs out there, they just can be awkward to find. If you're iPhone friendly, check out OUT Radio in iTunes. If no, hit me up and I can turn you on to a SLEW of gay programs.

And yes, gayradiobec in canada simulcasts from clubs in Miami, and Montreal.

Bill

 

[OUTRadio]

again...Urban and Hip Hop specific to the LGBT community is out there. Check out OUT Radio in iTunes, or try Click Click Expose Media (they stream live) or K-Zone 187 who stream live as well. The market is growing QUICKLY. Let me know if you're not finding what you need. Can direct/suggest other sites.

Bill

 

[the golden boy]

So far, has any Urban radio station ever done a live broadcast from a gay club, or at least promoted one for example the "#1 alternative Saturday night spot, live with DJ XXX"?

Not that i know of.

I don't know of any and I know why: because homophobia runs rampant within the black community. As a black man (though not gay), I've seen and heard all the statistics about the lack of acceptance for gays and lesbians within the black community. I think any black-targeted radio station that attaches itself to anything gay will be met with some resistance.

 

[Word!]

So far, has any Urban radio station ever done a live broadcast from a gay club, or at least promoted one for example the "#1 alternative Saturday night spot, live with DJ XXX"?

Not that i know of.

I don't know of any and I know why: because homophobia runs rampant within the black community. As a black man (though not gay), I've seen and heard all the statistics about the lack of acceptance for gays and lesbians within the black community. I think any black-targeted radio station that attaches itself to anything gay will be met with some resistance.

I'd imagine except in ATL

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

I remember some years ago HOT 107.9 ran commercials for Atlanta's black gay pride promoting an all girls party. DJ Truz(formely HOT 107.9, now FOXIE 105) spins at black gay clubs here in the city. DJ Class(formely V103) did the same before his music career took off. Lets not forget V103 had Ms.Sophia on air with Frank and Wanda. Rickey Smiley's Morning Show also has a black gay male "Gary with the Tea" on air to this day.