This is a subject that's near and dear to my heart...since I've spent 35 years in radio in large markets and small ones. (And, yes, that includes stints with 2 Urban stations).
Whether some of you want to believe it or not, radio is still bound by Part 73 of the Rules and Regs. (The fact that the FCC is a toothless tiger and doesn't enforce as it should is a different problem that should be addressed in a different thread). Those rules state that radio stations...all radio stations...are to operate in the public "interest, convenience and necessity". And, those rules also state that stations cannot broadcast material which is deemed to be "obscene, indecent or (yes, rap fans..) profane."
Now, I'll admit today is a different day. What was considered shocking and beyond the bounds in 1975 is a lot different from today. But that having been said, I defy any one of you to suggest that the lyrics in many of these songs don't fit the definition of "profane". (Note that I didn't cast judgment on whether they were "obscene" or "indecent" - that, to me, boils down to individual community standards.)
I will defend to the death a performer's right to put anything he or she wants on a song. That is guaranteed under the bounds of Freedom Of Expression. But no artist, no matter how popular has a guaranteed right to radio airplay. If a PD (or GM) thinks lyrics in a particular song are over the line, they have the right to edit, or refuse to air the song.
I was requested by the PD of WCIN in Cinncinnati in 1979 to edit "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang, over the line "She can't satisfy you with his little worm, but I can bust you out with my supersperm." In 1979, that sexual innuendo was too much for the station. I admit it seems petty and trivial today, but for 1979, they were right to do that.
WDAO-FM in Dayton, Ohio and their, then Program Director John "Turk" Logan (who, by the way broke a lot of big groups like The Ohio Players and Bootsy Collins to name a few), issued a pledge in the early 80's that said 'DAO would not play songs with dirty lyrics. And, they stuck to it. So, what WGCI and Elroy has done is not all that unusual. If you read Dr. Logan's book, (He is now a professor at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio), you'll find he's got more than a few things to say about today's music and the reaction the kids have to it.)
You see, one thing they remember (and some of you forget) is these stations probably have 30% or more of their cume audience being persons under the age of 18. And, if you put yourself in the place of at least some parents, some of the lyrics in today's music is way over the top, not only for profanity, but for sexual and violent suggestiveness.
I still DJ at high schools. I have had public schools come to me with a list of new songs I cannot, must not, under terms of my contract, play. And I've had to tell quite a few students, "that's the way it is...if you don't like it, go talk to the teachers". They're concerned about it. And why? Because the parents are concerned about it.
And, if you're running a radio station that has a sizable audience under age 18, you should be concerned about it, too. I respect any radio company, any manager, or any Program Director with the cojones to tell an artist or record rep "no" when he or she thinks they've gone overboard.
You see, nobody's painted the artist or record company's name on the transmitting towers yet.
