#HipHop50: Kansas City Black Radio HATED Rap Music

Little known fact that only old-heads remember about local media . . .

KANSAS CITY'S LEADING MEDIA PLAYERS HATED HIP-HOP & WERE ONLY FORCED TO ADD THE MUSIC TO THEIR PLAYLISTS AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY!!!

There was actually a worthwhile controversy . . . Until the late 90s, local station played comically watered down tracks, never in heavy rotation as "Quiet Storm" R&B offerings were touted over hip-hop. 

This local generational dust-up is largely glossed over because the decision to play rap music was strictly financial and local media outlets were more than happy to ignore public complaints.

On the bright side . . . 

Mainstream KCMO media rejection of hip-hop created a vibrant "mixtape" scene in Midtown and the urban core which provided an outlet for artists like Tech N9ne to start their careers in a truly alternative medium. 

Again . . . Most of the local music history we've provided is widely disputed and quite a few people have their own take on the topic . . . Here's the more generally accepted version:

Hip-hop was late coming to Kansas City. It mostly kicked off in the 1980s, in Kansas City’s predominantly Black neighborhoods east of Troost Avenue. At first, local radio stations like KPRS didn't play the new and edgy form of music. Instead, it spread through word of mouth and movies that showed hip-hop culture in vivid detail.

Those who remember the early years of Kansas City hip-hop agree they were idyllic and pure.

“Hip-hop was a thing where you had to go out to hear it,” d Kansas City music writer Shawn Edwards said. “There was no violence, no fights, no yelling, no fussing — just straight up hip-hop.”

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

50 years of Kansas City hip-hop, from the 'golden age' to modern masters

When hip-hop hit Kansas City streets, the effect was immediate. The new sound took over record stores, local high schools and underground dance parties. As the country celebrates 50 years of the art form, Kansas City honors its own contributions to the culture.