In a surprise twist, legendary DJ Funkmaster Flex stirred the airwaves by hinting at a departure from Hot 97, only to reveal a mere switch in time slots instead.
Initially, fans of Funkmaster Flex were left in disbelief following his announcement on social media. The DJ took to X, declaring, “THIS MONDAY LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 1ST WILL BE MY LAST SHOW ON HOT97 AT 7PM! ALL THINGS COME TO AN END! END OF AN ERA THAT I ENJOYED VERY MUCH!” His words seemed to signal a farewell, leaving many to speculate if he was exiting the station altogether.
However, the reality turned out to be less dramatic. Funkmaster Flex is not leaving Hot 97 but is merely altering his timeslot. Starting after Labor Day, listeners can catch him from 5 PM to 7 PM. This move may end his long-standing 7 PM show, but certainly not his connection with fans.
Funkmaster Flex’s career at Hot 97 has never been without its controversies. Recently, he echoed Drake’s claims regarding ‘pay-for-play’ on radio. Drake asserted, “DRAKE IS 100% RIGHT! NATIONAL PLAY! (PER SONG) DRAKE DON’T $ FOR PLAY!” Supporting this, Flex detailed alleged costs associated with getting airplay across different radio formats.
In a bold statement, he broke down these alleged amounts, asserting, “POP / CHR RADIO: $350k. URBAN RADIO: $250K. MIXSHOW: $100K. LOCAL MIXSHOW DIRECTOR: $40k. LOCAL DJ: $3K-5K PER SONG!” He highlighted the struggles of independent artists due to these high costs, claiming he never accepted money for plays.
Flex continued his call-out on Instagram, pointing fingers at DJs taking payola, “HAHAHAHA! SOME DJS BEEN TAKING PAYOLA TO PLAY SONGS!” He questioned the integrity of these practices, hinting at a widespread issue within the industry.
Beyond the airwaves, Funkmaster Flex stirred another pot by expressing skepticism over Megan Thee Stallion’s account of the Tory Lanez incident. His opinions have often landed him in hot water, but they’ve also kept listeners tuning in, eager for his unfiltered takes.
Despite the initial shock, Funkmaster Flex remains a stalwart presence on Hot 97, continuing to influence and challenge the music industry with his outspoken views and dynamic presence.
