Why has hip hop dominated the radio?

Question

What happened to the oldies and 80's Rock? Only two stations in my town play that kind of stuff now. It stinks!

Answer 1

I agree with you, and it's one of the many reasons I don't listen to the radio anymore--if I don't have to.  I'm more fortunate than you are... my area still has at least two or three classic rock/oldies stations, several adult-contemporary rock stations, two or three country stations, and other stuff like jazz, new rock, and soft rock.  We even have a classical station, thankfully.  There are quite a few hiphop/rap/RnB stations and I avoid them like the plague.

99% of the time I'm in the car I'm listening to my iPod anyway.  That way I can choose precisely what I'm listening too AND it's commercial-free.  Utter bliss, I tell you.

As for why so many stations play that c**p now--or other so-called "pop music"--it's because they erroneously believe that that's what everyone's listening to nowadays.  Teenagers, maybe, but many people in my age range--and I'm in my 20's--don't listen to that garbage either.  Variety is the spice of life; if you homogenize the playing field and limit what listeners can choose to listen to, you're going to alienate a lot of would-be listeners.  Again, thank God for the advent of personal MP3 players...

Answer 2

cuz its awesome u should at least try to listen to it

u might even like it

Answer 3

no one wants real hardcore music they want that perverted rap with dirty girls and big buff men why no more rock

Answer 4

kindaof

Answer 5

As some have said.. Hip Hop sells as most things in Hip hop are a fast churn items anyway (today's hit artist is tommrrow's crack addict) but usually it's determined by the demographic makeup of the area.. meaning more african americans in a area the more likely you will hear urban formatted stations compared to places where the population is heavier favored to Caucasians.

But oldies and 80s rock has had a falling out in popularity due to most stations burning out the listener on the same songs. So you will see less music aimed at that area.

Surpringly however Urban doesn't even make it to the top 10 in formats in the US. Country music is number 1 and News talk is number 2

Answer 6

Dino-Man, I have two words for you: It sells.

A lot of people in a certain demographic like it. Advertisers trying to reach that demographic are willing to buy ads on a station that plays it. Getting the picture?

- a guy named duh