 Radio One in 1995 to be in Atlanta, we debuted Hot 97.5 in July of 1995. It has been my dream and my number one goal to own a radio station in Atlanta since 1993.
KR: Can you share the efforts it took to put everything in place?
SH: As you are well aware of Kev (you covered story very heavy) I attempted to launch Streetz in 2009 immediately after leaving Radio One, which I am not able to speak about. However I made a number of costly mistakes in which I have learned greatly from. Fast forward to June 2012, and Streetz 94.5 was born! Streetz 94.5 is a Translator station which originates programming for Lincoln Financial’s WSTR HD-3 Channel.  I am proud to be among some of the early broadcasters that recognized the value of FM Translators.
KR: You have taken a lot of talent from other stations in the market. How do you pick your on air talent, and what qualities do you look for most?
SH: For Streetz 94.5 we were lucky, Rashan Ali had just left WVEE. DJ Holiday was a very popular street/Club Mixtape DJ that wanted to add radio experience to his resume. We had worked together at Radio One in the past.The Assistant PD/Afternoon Drive Personality Jay-Tek and I had met many times in the past, I knew he was a good fit for Streetz.
(pictured: Rashan Ali, Morning Grind host on Streetz 94.5)
KR:Â Atlanta is a HUGE urban radio market, perhaps the one market with the most urban stations. Why not do what you’re doing in another market where there is much less competition?Â
SH: Atlanta has over 1.4 African Americans, second to only New York. Clearly, there was enough room for another Urban station.  I also was aware of Atlanta’s economic base in which we were confident we could generate revenue for the station.
KR: This is the first time (that I recall) V103 is having challenges with ratings after being the top dog in the market for many years, many programmers say your station is responsible for that. Did you expect to make such an impact in the market?
SH: There are a number great choices for the 18-34 Demo in Atlanta, and now Streetz 94.5 is one them.
KR: How’s your relationship with other programmers in the market?
SH: I have Known Reggie Rouse for many years, and I have major respect for Reggie. Tony Kidd, the VP or Urban Programming for COX/WALR KISS 104.1 is a very talented programming executive. I have admired his success for years. Derick Harper, Program Director WAMJ Magic 107.5, we worked together at Radio One.
KR: We get non-stop complaints from programmers at corporations who feel they are not able to program their stations based on what their market demands in opposition to national research and decision makers who they feel don’t understand the music. How much of your style of programming is based on research, as opposed to the market itself?
SH: This is Atlanta, for the most part, is a world by itself ! For Streetz, we use a couple of research methods to determine the playlist. Unlike some of the other stations, we saw an opportunity to play local new music first and get credit for it, so we did! Examples of Local Artist: Trinidad James, Migo’s, K Camp, August Alsina, Rich Homie Quan and many more!
KR: It would appear that since you started off as the little guy in town (growing rapidly) that you can take more chances on the air. What else do you do that the other corporate owned stations can’t or won’t do in the market?
SH: This is how we look at it, we’re in Atlanta,GA, Market # 9. We have to be as good or better than any other radio station in market.We want to win all decisions are carefully decided and all programming (click “Next” above or below for rest of story)
