HOT 97

HOT 97 (WQHT) is a commercial radio station based in New York City that primarily plays hip-hop and R&B music. It was established in 1941 but rebranded as HOT 97 with a hip-hop format in 1992, making it one of the first stations in the U.S. to adopt the genre as its primary focus. The station is owned by Mediaco Holding, a subsidiary of Emmis Communications and Standard General. HOT 97 is well-known for its influential on-air personalities, such as Funkmaster Flex, and its annual "Summer Jam" concert, which showcases major hip-hop and R&B artists. It is considered a cultural hub for hip-hop music and urban culture.