Back in the day, when it was AM 1580 {kintespace.com}
Perhaps the greatest radio format change ever happened in August 2009 when L.A.’s 93.5 KDAY went back to its rap roots and re-branded itself as “Southern California’s Back in the Day Hit Station”. Starting in the 80s’ and ending in 1991, KDAY played songs that turned out to be the foundation of today’s hip-hop scene. Artists such as Dr. Dre and N.W.A. owe part of their success to the local station. Sure, there were other black stations, but KDAY was the real deal. A 2005 blog post from Gentle Jones explains the meaning of the station, and adds:
Aside from just breaking new music, KDAY was innovative in keeping their name and their faces out in the communities of Los Angeles, the kids who were the station’s core. But these weren’t friendly meet-and-greets at malls and industry gatherings. These were concerts and events in the deepest gang ‘hoods in LA, at the height of the city’s blood/crip warfare. The station’s head of public relations, Rory Kaufman, oversaw and attended these events, no matter where they were. Hen-Gee recalls these gigs, at places like Washington High School: “We performed at live remotes, recreation parks, schools and ‘hoods that no other rapper or DJ dared to enter. They were the killing fields.”
Eventually, AM music radio was left for the clarity of FM and Power 106 gained traction in the marketplace. KDAY 1580 soon shut down. However the nostalgia of the old songs has never faded from the hearts and memories of the now 30+ age demographic. In addition, today’s youth and young adults of all backgrounds enjoy old school West Coast rap. The top songs played according to yes.com may not be entirely old school, but they are generally at least 7 years old:
1 Too Short – Gettin’ It (w/ Parliament Funkadelic)
2 Luniz – I Got 5 On It (w/ Michael Marshall)
3 Outkast – Atliens
4 DMX – Ruff Ryders Anthem
5 Big Pun – Still Not A Player (w/ Joe)
6 Junior M.A.F.I.A. – Get Money
7 Eazy-E – Eazy-Duz-It
8 The Fugees – Fu-Gee-La
9 The Notorious B.I.G. – Notorious Thugs (w/ Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)
10 The Dove Shack – Summertime In The LBC
Ultimately, who doesn’t want to cruise around L.A. and hear references to the glory days of Compton’s and Long Beach’s rap scene?
