Sh*t Rappers Tweet: El-P on “Earning Your Slot” For Radio Play.
Recently NYC radio station Hot 97 program director Ebro spoke on why local and underground artists do not get played on the station despite buzz and audience interest, stating, “You don’t just get a slot, you earn a slot”. The PD also characterized the likes of Sean Price, Joey Bada$$ and others as still in the “minor leagues.” El-P – who last time we checked was not in heavy rotation on Hot 97 – took some time this past weekend to address the subject on The Twitter.
if you’re a radio station that doesn’t break new great records because they haven’t “earned their slot” you might be forgetting the point.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
unless of course you are talking payola.then i get it.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
not to state the obvious but that’s kinda why radio is dying.the internet lets you listen to ANYTHING ANYTIME. its a simple truth.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
being the gatekeepers of what people hear only works if they actually have to get by you in order to hear it, and thats just not the case.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
therefore in order to be competitive with the new paradigm radio programmers need to re-examine their whole approach or what it all die.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
*watch it all die, i mean.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
just my 2 cents.fuck do i know.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
which is not to say radio has lost its power.but to not see that on the horizon if everything remains on the same path is foolish.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
personally i feel like radio dj’s should have more autonomy to play what they like/not have to choose from pre approved content. might help.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
it certainly would encourage the music to grow if everyone wasn’t desperately trying to make jams that they think fit in with that criteria.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
and that would lead to more and renewed interest in traditional radio broadcasts, which would lead to more money for everyone.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
but hey i come from an era where we had cats like @stretcharmy and bobbito launching the careers of people who go platinum now. im spoiled.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
look at whats happened to the newspaper industry.no one wants their news a day later anymore.theres a metaphor in there somewhere.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
also there are clearly many amazing stations that do just what im talking about and breed serious listener loyalty.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
it ain’t like i’m speaking some sort of hidden esoteric knowledge/philosophy here. but its worth bringing up now and again.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
anyone way its just the opinion of one man.#fuckdoiactuallyknow
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
one more thought: music is a representation of human consciousness, and like human consciousness it is expansive and varying.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
it wouldn’t hurt for everyone to consider their role in the purveyance of that consciousness a little closer.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
put simply:ultimately the only thing that should be a deciding factor in radio play is if the dj likes your shit or not. trust who you hire.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
if the people consistently dont like what he plays hes by definition a bad dj. you should fire him. but he’s the music guy. let him be that.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
*or she
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
aight “rant” officially over.WHO WANTS SOME FART JOKES!
— el-p (@therealelp) December 9, 2012
POSTSCRIPT:
just cause I think dj’s should be allowed to play the records they want doesn’t mean I think every “underground” song is worthy of AirPlay.
— el-p (@therealelp) December 10, 2012
