The radio Story behind The Breaks

So I watched the VH1 original movie “The Breaks”. Initially I was confused and didn’t know what to expect. After all it was promoted as a film that takes place in the ‘90s but had ‘80s music (the Bridge -MC Shan in particular) as the background music in the promos. But after seeing it I got that this movie while based on the era of hip hop during the 90s it wasn’t a documentary or based on anyone specifically. It’s a fictional story with loose hints of actual events. 

 The radio station in the film was based on Wbls… I know ‘cause I was there working at WBLS (94/95) when the Suttons (the family that owned Inner City Broadcasting which owned WBLS back then) decided the people were not interested in hip hop and cut all rap from its playlist turning it into an urban a/c (adult contemporary) station, which it still is to this day. Meanwhile, Emmis Communications’ Hot 97 was gaining traction as a hip hop station in NYC but had one major obstacle keeping them from dominating the market… 98.7 Kiss Fm. Kiss was the top urban at the time whose only competition previously was WBLS. But ‘BLS had slipped so far behind in ratings they were no longer a serious factor. So since Emmis could not beat Kiss, they bought them, poached the talent (Wendy Williams, DJ Red Alert, DJ ENUFF and more) and flipped it into an urban a/c keeping Hot 97 as the young station and flushed 'BLS further down the ratings toilet for many years. With only one station playing hip hop HOT 97 easily and effortlessly took over as the authority of hip hop in NYC and abroad. Fast forward some years, Wendy Williams moves over to 'BLS along with the creation of the Steve Harvey morning show and the same happens with Kiss FM, this time not able to beat the rejuvenated power house of WBLS who was doing well in ratings but also experiencing extreme cash issues. Emmis also experiencing money issues sold the intellectual property of Kiss to WBLS then moved ’ BLS into Kiss’ old studios and ultimately bought WBLS… Where, ironically the film “The Breaks” was filmed. I know this because I worked at Emmis studios for many years and I recognize my old stomping ground anywhere.

I enjoyed “The Breaks” and especially enjoyed seeing my big brother the legend DJ Chuck Chillout on the screen doing his thing. I grew up listening to Chuck and Red Alert and when got in to radio I was fortunate and honored to work with and become friends with these hip hop pioneers whom I respect tremendously. 

T-Storm 4evaeva