Radio killed the underground star: The case against WJLB

By W. Jacarl Melton

Daily Arts Writer

On the seemingly rare occasions that hip-hop shows occur in Ann Arbor, I make a concerted effort to attend. Last Friday was no different. I, like the other hundred or so people in the audience, was at the Michigan League to see the night's headliner, Detroit's Slum Village. Although I enjoyed the show, I left a little discouraged by the crowd. Don't get me wrong, people were feeling the show. However, interest visibly waned when the crowd didn't recognize a song. Even worse, I could sense a "who's that?"-type of vibe from a good portion of the crowd when talented opening acts like S.U.N., Athletic Mic League and Phat Kat graced the stage. I consider myself lucky not to suffer from this syndrome since I've seen every performer multiple times and/or own their work. I have to wonder, though, why so many folks are unfamiliar with artists from "around the way" when, especially in Slum Village's case, they have a national, if not international, following?

The easiest answer points a finger at Detroit radio, especially WJLB 98 FM. WJLB is the target of what I think is a justified protest and boycott by the Detroit Hip-Hop Coalition. The Coalition consists of Michigan hip-hop artists, DJs and promoters, among others, who want to promote the work of local artists and bands. This Friday, the Coalition plans a protest at the WJLB studios to draw attention to the station's weak on-air support of area artists while also encouraging a boycott presumably of the station's musical events and programming. The Coalition contends that not only does WJLB stiff local artists by providing little or no airplay and denying phone requests for their music by fans, but WJLB also makes a profit off of these same artists when the station sponsors events at which they perform. All of this happens under WJLB's proclamation that it's the "voice of the community." Obviously, if local artists don't have a mass venue, like radio, to spread their music, how can the area's number two station, according to the latest Radio & Records poll, make such a bold claim? My call to WJLB programming director Michael Saunders regarding this question went unreturned.

Before I go any further, I have to make some things clear. When I say "local artist," I'm excluding Eminem, Aaliyah (yes, you ARE from Detroit) and, at this point in time, Mercedes. These three are getting more than their share of airtime and have the contracts to boot. Also, I'm not taking WJLB to task for its coat drives for kids or other programs of that nature. These are extremely admirable. My beef lies in the fact that I know there are artists in the Detroit area who have talent and are deserving of airplay.

Seeing that Detroit isn't exactly a hotbed for media outlets since Motown left, the locals are extremely limited in terms of avenues to receive notoriety. Radio, in this case, is their best opportunity for exposure. Detroit is the seventh largest media market in the nation, not to mention it overlaps into Canada. Every artist or group, I believe, should have a strong support base in their hometown. WJLB has the perfect opportunity, given its high ratings in this market, to promote artists who may eventually become popular on a broader scale. Then they could boast about how they helped launch so and so's career. Case in point, one of WJLB's most popular songs now, "The Cha Cha Slide," started on a Chicago radio station and now it's the second coming of the Macarena.

Although that probably wasn't the best example, the idea is simple: Everybody has to start somewhere and everyone needs a big break. Doing free, or not so free, shows for college kids can only take you so far. By not allowing local artists access to a larger and broader audience that radio addresses, WJLB aiding in stunting the growth of Detroit's burgeoning music scene. In my opinion, the Detroit area is on the brink of retaining its status on the musical map. Common didn't record any tracks for his Like Water For Chocolate album in his hometown of Chicago. He recorded several in Detroit. Bahamadia did much the same thing. Jay Dee is known around the world as a top-notch producer. Eminem's D-12 is making noise. EP. Binary Star. Que D. Royce. These are all local people trying to make it. It's not a question of talent. These folks could rhyme circles around most of the people in heavy rotation. The question is will outfits like WJLB continue to shut out our local artists. They have a wonderful opportunity as the "voice of the community" to actually support the local hip-hop community through greater airplay. Who knows, they could help usher in the new era I mentioned before. Or they could accelerate the process of artistic exodus from the city. It's their choice. Support Your Local MCs.

Courtesy of Goodvibe/Atomic Pop

Slum Village, shown here on their Vol 2.-Fantastic Voyage album, headlined last Friday's hip-hop concert.