One On One who’s hot in da streetz
DETROIT’S RIOT RADIO
Yoshi
By Moe Nitty
In this day and age of elec-
tronic technology, the standard
FM radio stations are not the only
place to find good music. Online
radio stations are growing in pop-
ularity as music listeners are dis-
covering new avenues in which to
hear their favorite songs. Detroit
Riot Radio does just that, as well
as offering local musicians an op-
portunity to have their songs reach
an international audience.
Detroit Riot Radio, started in
February 2007, was founded by
Rein and Blu-Out
I chose different topics and different songs that E. D. “Blu-Out” Lane and Areina
I really was passionate about so it was really
“Rein” Plowden. Their goal was
Monitoring, which charts music troit Riot Radio (hosted by Rein
just real-life experiences and my passion for
simple: Adhere to the complaints
by online and satellite radio sta- and Blu M-F 6 p.m.-8 p.m.),
of listeners begging for new urban
tions. Eastside Westside Orgy (hosted
music and what I like to rap about. I basically
combined them all and threw a theme in there
music and give the fairly unknown
When asked about the level
by Detroit Streets M-F 8 p.m.-10
so it would actually be a concept album, since
hip-hop/R&B artists rotation on a
of talent submitting music to
p.m.), DJ DDT All Out Mix Show
I’ve always done a lot of talent shows in the
continuous basis. Recognizing
their station every day, Rein
(hosted by DJ DDT Thurs-Fri 10
past and in college and that’s what people
the lack of airplay for independent
stated, “Detroit Riot Radio is
p.m.-12 a.m).
music, Rein and Blu-Out did what
knew me by. People were always telling me
home to the hottest indie art- Their website, DetroitRio-
anyone with a problem should do:
that I had talent so I figured I could play off the
ists and labels on the globe. We tRadio.com, features some of
They came up with a solution.
talent theme and The Talent Show had a little
stand by the indie movement!” Detroit’s better known rap art-
Aired live on BlogTalkRadio.
As if that weren’t enough, De- ists and also provides links for
kick to the name, so I decided to use interludes
com daily from 6 p.m.-12 a.m and
troit Riot Radio network is avail- listeners looking to purchase
between each song.
also aired on WHPR FM 88.1, De-
able on iTunes, giving listeners these particular artists’ music.
FP: I’m sure you see that there’s a lot of troit Riot Radio attracts a global
an opportunity to purchase a To participate in daily talks on
negativity in the media and on the radio. audience by not only airing local
particular broadcasting of the current affairs with Rein while
Do you feel that artists should be held musicians but also discussing
show. With so much to offer, listening to hot new music, call
accountable for what they put out there?
current events and offering give-
only a foolish local artist would 646-716-4705 between 6-8 p.m.
aways for callers. Broadcasting in
need to be convinced to contact Monday-Friday.
By Janaya Black
Y: Definitely, 100 percent. I was a substitute
86 countries with over 4,000 reg-
Detroit Riot Radio.
(You can reach Moe Nitty
Detroit is known for spawning some of
teacher for a year and half in the school
istered daily listeners, DRR has
The Detroit Riot Radio at myspace.com/mrmoenitty
the most talented artists in the world. And in
district around where I live and a lot of the
easily reached, if not surpassed,
network has three scheduled or moenitty1@aol.com)
this day in age when cookie-cutter artists are
kids that I’ve mentored and substitute taught
their goal.
shows, located at www.blog-
a dime a dozen, it’s very refreshing to come
for, they were growing up in households that
Blu-Out, serves as the music
talkradio.com/Detroit-Riot: De-
across someone who breaks the mold.
weren’t the best households. A lot of times they
director and also a co-host for De-
come from single-parent households where
Ann Arbor native Yoshi is one such artist who
troit Riot Radio. Harboring an in-
the father wasn’t around, the mother wasn’t
fits the description of a mold-breaker who’s not
terest in the music business since
really too caring for the children, so the only
In rOtatIOn
his teenage years, Blu-Out worked
afraid to forgo the norm to run in his own lane
role models they had, or were supposed to be
with several notable local Detroit
with his debut album The Talent Show.
having, were the teachers. But they weren’t
artists (the late J. Dilla, The East-
The FrontPage got an opportunity to sit
looking up to them. They were actually looking side Cheddar Boys, and Big Herk
The end
down with him to find out who he is and what
up to the rappers and the ballers. I grew up to name a few) before eventually
the world can expect from the one that street
doing that but once I substitute taught I saw establishing R Block Incorporated
Artist:
buzz has pegged to be the next big thing.
how much of an influence the rappers have
in December of 2006. Blu’s busi-
The Black
on these kids. They look up to them like they
ness partner, Rein, is the primary
FrontPage: Give a little bit of background
were fathers. Everything they did – dress, talk
host of the show and doubles as
Eyed Peas
about yourself.
– they would go around rapping their songs
the program director. Release Date:
Yoshi: I’m a hip hop artist. 26, from Ann
verbatim word by word and these were Rein herself is no new-comer 9 June 2009
Arbor, Ypsilanti, Mi. I’ve been rapping for
the same kids that wouldn’t take the to the broadcast industry. In 2002,
11-12 years. I just recently put out an album
time to learn math equations or English while a student at Specs Howard Review by Crystal Riehl
entitled The Talent Show. To describe it, I
words or vocabulary. So, I definitely see
School of Broadcast Arts, she
would say it’s a feel good hip hop album.
the impact that it has on kids and so I
worked as director and assistant
For the most part, The
A little on the soul side, similar to what
always take that into effect. So yeah, I
editor for a television show and
Black Eyed Peas have not
you would hear on a Slum Village,
definitely try to watch my words and
interned as a morning show pro-
been getting the best reviews for their latest release, The End. But,
ducer at FM 90.9. In 2003, while
have they ever really been the critics’ choice? And does it really
Talib Kwali, Jay-Z. Just a mixture of
at the same time be a role model.
attending Rochester College, Rein
matter if they are the fan favorites?
raw lyricism and feel good music.
FP: What is your ultimate goal? co-created The Koffey Show and
The End will do exactly what The Black Eyed Peas want it to do:
FP: How would you describe
Y: My ultimate goal is to tour the
served as the Director and Editor-
propel them to the top of the charts. You have to be living under
your style?
world and enjoy doing what I do
in-Chief. Rein has also worked
a rock to have not heard Boom Boom Pow, their first single off the
with ESPN, Pure Magazine and
album.
Y: Unique, eclectic, feel good, soulful,
because it’s a lot of fun performing
Rap Files Magazine, which has Most of the tracks on The End play like pop-esque club dance
just real because I talk about real issues.
on stage and to see people rapping
contributed heavily to her ability to hits, minus the occasional love-themed ballad. That’s what fills their
I’m not too much on the bragging side.
your words with you as you’re
gain respect and support from her fans up and keeps them coming back for more. The End promises
I mean I brag a little bit because I’m a
performing. And to maybe start
listeners and readers. to give the fans exactly what they want.
rapper and that’s part of hip hop. But
a business helping other rappers
Most artists don’t think of roy-
Honestly, I loved this album. I think it’s beyond fun and it left me
mainly I’m focusing on issues the
or musicians get their music out
alty checks when they think of
wanting to get up and dance. The hooks are catchy and every track
general masses can feel and relate to.
because I know how it is trying to get
online radio play, but Detroit Riot
just had something about it.
out there and get exposure.
FP: What was the inspiration for The
Radio is licensed by ASCAP, BMI With the current state of our country, the economy and
For more information about
Talent Show?
and Soundexchange, giving art- especially our own state, it was kind of refreshing to lose myself in
Yoshi, visit www.myspace.com/
ists hoping to get paid from their an album and for a few moments have my cares disappear. Sure,
Y: I just really wanted to come out with
aktiveyoshi. To read the com-
art many reasons to reconsider it’s awesome that today’s artists aren’t blind to the struggles of the
an album. I’ve been working on the
plete uncut interview, visit www.
their earlier perception. The show
rest of us. But is it so bad to sometimes want your music to erase
album for about 3-4 years so it was
frontpageconnect.com. is also monitored by Radiowave your problems? One thing’s for sure, The Black Eyed Peas sure
just a collection of feel good songs.
managed to pull it off.
20 The Michigan FrontPage • July 10, 2009
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