The lineup is aimed directly at the independently owned and operated radio station’s young audience, which absorbs new artists and gets its music from terrestrial radio, social media, and word of mouth. The mixtape is still a thing, too. So, the lineup is a mix of established stars, acts in their collective and/or label rosters and fresh and hungry up-and-coming artists.
Back in late 1987, Bay Area radio station KMEL pioneered the hip hop/R&B themed Summer Jam, gathering together a gaggle of artists on their radio playlist plus a bunch of rising stars for a day of live music that included Klymaxx, Expose, and headliners Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. The popularity of the event spread around the country to other cities and stations. New York City’s Hot 97 Summer Jam will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2024.
Likewise, Memphis native Moneybagg Yo has more than a decade in the game and his relaxed flow has earned him a string of platinum singles, including “Said Sum” the mellow-grooved “Scorpio,” which also features Da Baby, the mature, metaphorical ode to lean addiction “Wokesheka.” Monebagg released his 16th mixtape in June. “Hard To Love” finds the 31-year-old in a reflective mood between the usual bragging, boasting and sexual conquests.
Sexxy Red made her bones with the very explicit “Pound Town” with rapper Tay Keith and is riding the success of her latest hook-laden single, the chant-worthy “Skee-Yee,” from her new mixtape, “Hood Hottest Princess,” highlighting her ribald sense of humor. She has a feature on Da Baby’s “Shake Sumn” remix giving fans a live collabo to look forward to.