Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > November > 17 > Entry
Hip-hop radio Hot 93.3FM to let on-air staff go
According to DJ 2DQ in a meeting this afternoon the entire on-air staff of the local Emmis Communications-owned commercial hip-hop station was informed by program director Chase Rupe that their contracts are to be terminated effective immediately. Tomorrow will be the final day for the station to feature on-air personalities. The station will then switch to an automated playlist through Friday, at which point the station will undergo a format change.
“I’ve been through this before,” said 2DQ, who previously worked at now defunct rival hip-hop station the Beat 104. “It’s just hard to see how it affects the people who have families. (On-air personalities) Boogie and Mimi, who have been there from the beginning, have families to support. These decisions are often made without considering the people they affect.” 2DQ would also like to thank the fans who made Hot 93.3 number one in Austin.
Attempts to reach station management for comment were unsuccessful.
Update: We received the following press release from Chase Rupe last night:
As of Friday, November 20th HOT 93.3-KDHT will no longer be broadcasting the Hip-Hop format in Austin, Texas. The HOT 93.3 staff was let go earlier today as a result of these impending changes. A new format will debut on the 93.3 frequency this Friday. More details regarding this event will be released at that time.
Update 2: We received a call from Rupe Wednesday night to comment on the layoffs and planned format change.
“The decision was strictly the result of a business opportunity in the market. It had nothing to do with Hot 93.3 whatsover,” said Rupe. “That station was the number one station in the 18-34 adult demographic and had an absolutely incredible staff. I can easily say they were the best staff I’ve ever worked with. They were incredible all-around. There’s no problem with the product whatsoever. It was just a business opportunity that we felt was in the company’s best interests.”
And what opportunity would that be? Rupe declined to comment but noted that Emmis, which owns and operates six stations in the Austin area, was preparing a statement on the format change, which is planned to take effect Friday.
Hot 93.3 had been in operation under its current format since 2003. Rupe said its success in the 18-34 demographic, according to their most recent data from radio audience research company Arbitron, made the station’s format attractive to competitors. With the station’s departure, the Beat 105.9 is now Austin’s sole hip-hop station.
“Hot unfortunately fell victim to its own success,” said Rupe. “It was such a successful station that did so well that it was attractive to competitors that thought they could shave off some of that success.”
In addition to on-air staff, some employees in promotions and sales were also laid off. Earning employees who had been with the company for more than a year qualified for severance benefits.
Comments
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By Not Again!
November 17, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
Let me guess, they are going to pick up what BMP just dropped. Does anybody even get local input before they make these changes.
By Evan McCloud
November 17, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this
Another one bites the dust. If you still love radio and the personalities that (used to) drive it, get satellite radio. No commercials (except on talk stations) and that’s where most on-air radio talent is fleeing to anyway. The only surprise here is that this station still had on-air talent. Most terrestrial stations are run by robots now.
By Adam
November 17, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
Do I smell a flip? I live in Georgetown and can’ bring in 99.7 at all, its just as bad in the car. Its the same in Round Rock. Could Ennis be flipping 93.3 to the KLBJ-AM that is being simucast on 99.7?
We could use a classic rock station as well.
Thoughts??
By Nicole
November 17, 2009 7:39 PM | Link to this
Awwwwh I like Mimi.
Seems like this is just a sign of the times… it’s too bad, but I guess it is expected.
By Brandon
November 17, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
Why?? Great local personalities… I kinda want some more info about this…
By stex5150
November 17, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
I have been a long time fan of KLBJ-fm amd would just wish that EMMIS would figure out what they are going to do as far as Austin goes. Lately, between releasing long time staff, changing formats and being the last to move over to HD format it seems they are on the verge of closing the doors on Austin leaving nothing but Clearchannel which is a joke in my book. Good luck finding work, not my forte but everyone deserves their job if they are doing a decent job and you were…
By Jessica L.
November 17, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this
My hearts go out to all these on air personalities that I admired so much! They have always been true to us and kept us laughin and jammin to the new music. This is a stupid mistake! They have families to support. This is stupid. Espically around the holidays! How dare you!
By Sean
November 17, 2009 8:13 PM | Link to this
Hot 93 wasnt #1 in Austin. If they were, they wouldnt all be let go.
By Vanessa
November 17, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this
This sucks! The whole 93.3 crew was like family!!! Still is and alway will be! My prayers go out to yall!
By Cory Hinojosa
November 17, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this
What a shame. The capitol of the biggest state in the USA no longer has a hip hop station. Austin has one of the most, if not the most, diverse hip hop scenes and music scenes in general. The SXSW Festival has quickly become one of the most coveted conventions for up-and coming rappers and has served as a major venue for artists to make contacts and to get that exposure that they might not get else where. It just doesn’t seem right, and well…kudos to 2Dq for a job well done, I’ve been a listener to your work since you were with 104. And my heart goes out to the the whole crew. I guess Napp went back to 102.9 in Corpus just in time.
By Laura
November 17, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this
Always have a back up plan, you can’t be a disc jockey on air or in the club forever. These stations are always changing and getting younger talent so they can pay them less money. The station hasn’t been #1 for a long time otherwise they wouldn’t of let anyone go. It’s important that everyone gets an education so you can have something to fall back on. You need an educatio so you can obtain a retirement plan, 401 K plan and/or investments to secure your future. It’s sad that this happened so close to the holidays, there are so many people without jobs right now. Good luck to you all!
By rigo
November 17, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
all radio stations in austin suck,i dont even listen to any i listen to san antiono stations any this is live muisc city…
By Juan
November 17, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this
This would Hurt Austin Radio. I can’t see Just a few Radio Station here in Austin. I know for fact Commerical Space must have been Hard for the station to pick up. Signs of the time No way… This is plane Evil.Good Luck Hot 93.3 staff.
By Nick
November 17, 2009 10:24 PM | Link to this
No big surprise, if you know your local radio history. 93.3 is the “flippable” frequency. In the dozen years I’ve been here, it’s been a country station, a smooth jazz station, a dance station and a hip-hop station. Don’t get used to whatever it’ll be next, because it will flip again soon enough. No loyalty in radio anymore. Best to just fire up the iPod.
By YeahISaidIt
November 17, 2009 10:30 PM | Link to this
Emmis suxxx! They are going to wipe out their staff in lieu of something no one really wants to hear. But, they are going to bring back the Todd and Don Show on KLBJ-AM on December 7th? Who’s the nutbag who thought that one up? I don’t care for the Todd & Don Show even before they were pulled. Bring back an hour of Boortz - a real talk show King. The so called humor spewed by Todd & Don should go the way of the DoDo Bird. Yeah I said it!
By Larry
November 17, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this
Two words: satellite radio. Commercial-free music channels with every genre of music you can think of. Well, maybe not polka, but you get the drift. I haven’t listned to Austin radio since I got XM in 2003 and don’t miss it at all.
By DJ Kurupt
November 17, 2009 11:00 PM | Link to this
I just want to take the time to thank everyone that listened to us for the past 7 years. We are all very shocked by this decision, although we understand it - keeping in mind the economy. And yes we were in FACT #1 in our demographic, its just a sign of the times. Again, THANK YOU from the whole staff.
By Charles
November 17, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this
Replace Bobby bones or whatever his name is with the 93.3 crew integrate them in Boogie is 15 times funnier than LunchBox…
By Scot
November 17, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this
Just askin’, what format is top in Austin Metro?
What station has the best numbers? Format change comes after the ratings fail. I guess Rush, Sean and Fox News are safe
By MC Overlord
November 17, 2009 11:25 PM | Link to this
Boogie and the rest of the on air staff have always been an active part of the Austin community and help lift up Hip Hop, both local and national acts. ll of you will be in my prayers…It’s a sad day when the business of radio does not consider the lives of those who serve them so loyally.
By Ian Morales
November 17, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this
My heart goes out to all the radio personalities there at Hot 93.3. I was a listener of the station and know they had good people there, some of the best I have ever known. Deuce and DJ 2DQ will bounce back for sure, as they are too popular and talented not to be picked up somewhere. There is yet another void in Austin radio and it’s a shame.
By Jon
November 17, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this
This should’ve been done a long time ago, First all hot dj’s are lame very boring. 2nd they copied the beat and couldn’t come up with creativity on there own, I don’t see how hot lasted this long leave the hip hop game to the beat a much bigger better station. Maybe this will give some former beat dj’s a gig back at the beat hot is getting what they deserve they won’t be missed by me.
By Bruce
November 17, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this
All radio is going the way of the dodo. The reason Rush dominates is because actual opinion leaders stopped listening to the radio years ago. In this information age news, music, and any other programming radio can provide is much better from satellite stations or the internet. Only shut-ins and hard-up traveling salesman listen to radio these days. Last time I listened in on a talk radio show, all the ads were for scams. That’s bottom-of-the-barrel advertisers for a bottom-of-the-barrel audience.
By Erica
November 17, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this
But this is the only station that wasn’t continuously playing Nirvana over and over every time you switched to it!
By wax
November 18, 2009 1:23 AM | Link to this
This is wack & clear channel blows. Sorry to hear about Austin’s loss. R.I.P
By Kara
November 18, 2009 4:37 AM | Link to this
You mean…I’m stuck listening to Bobby Bones on 96.7 now? Oh hell…shoot me now!
By Michael in Phoenix
November 18, 2009 5:53 AM | Link to this
I think my son listens to this station…he’ll be mad for a few days and then move on. As for radio in Austin, two major formats your city desperately needs…Pacifica and Air America. Austin is getting way too large and way too nationally known NOT to have these formats full-time. Pacifica stations, in addition to their news and talk programming that actually sparks of some intelligence, tend to showcase underground hip-hop music in the evenings. And Air America has a Sunday night show hosted by Chuck D of Public Enemy fame and has a lot of artists on as guests.
By anguis in herba
November 18, 2009 6:24 AM | Link to this
Hope and change bra man…hope and change.
By karla Cantu
November 18, 2009 6:40 AM | Link to this
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Djs. All of them, especially those with families to support. I do hope they are at least giving you some sort of lump sum payment to get you all through the holidays. The short notice was a low blow…to them taking care of your short term financial needs is the least they can do. Mimi, dont let this get you down…your boys will need you to stay strong. Best wishes to you all….the community does care for you and we are sorry for what is happening to you on a personal level.
By john
November 18, 2009 7:30 AM | Link to this
emmis should get rid of andy langer on KGSR as well. Seems like they are cleaning house.
By craig
November 18, 2009 8:19 AM | Link to this
people are asking who the #1 show in town is.
Its, by far, The Bones Show on Kiss Fm. They more than triple the next morning show. Im personally not a fan, but they are huge in austin
By BigMandoFromBlanco
November 18, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
and all of this right before the holidays…no shame on the part of the suits/higher ups….
By Vanessa
November 18, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this
Well, once again Austin will only have one urban station. I don’t think we’ll ever be like Dallas and Houston and have true diversity on the radio. As always, one step forward, two steps back.
By Kim
November 18, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this
WOW!!!! This is terrible news! I love Boggie & Mimi! DJ 2DQ is AMAZING! I am going to have to boycott Hot 93.3 now! How could they do this to then right before the holidays! Good luck to you all!
By Jen
November 18, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
My heart goes out to Boognasty.
By edward
November 18, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
everyone knows there is a hip hop station on 105.9 now, right?
By Johnny Goyen
November 18, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this
It would be my guess Emmis will be adding KLBJ-AM to 93.3FM. They have been doing it 99.7FM which as a small signal. It’s my feeling they are doing this to to deal with Border Media’s 98.9 The “Big” Talker. Really a smart business move. I do feel sad for the staff of Hot 93.3. If you follow Radio these days…Many talented radio personalites are out of work. And I’m afraid it’s gonna’ get worse. I’ve been in this radio business for many years. It’s a real shame how bad it’s really gotten. I rarely listen to commercial radio anymore. For me…there’s nothing there. Used to be great fun. My best wishes to the staff of “Hot 93.3”. By the way, Thank’s to my Austin listener’s who used to listen to me on Jammin’ 105.9 some years back!
By J,Rook in Austin
November 19, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this
Come on guys! Can’t the locals get ANY say in this? I mean, I’ve been with 93.3 for a long while now and I’d hate to see them go. I LOVE this station and I hope the next one that comes on gets no listeners! Bring it back! Hot 93.3 forever!
By cynfri
November 19, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this
I swtiched to Satellite Radio a LONG time ago..occasionally I tune in to local to catch KLBJ News but that’s it.. I use to listen to 105.9 Oldies then they got crazy and started playing Newies..back that thang up, drop it like it’s hot..NO!! I’m really sorry for the DJ’s that are being effected by this- very, very sorry…
By cynfri
November 19, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
KAZI.. if you follow HIP HOP, real HIP HOP.. you would know about KAZI.. and then there’s 105.9 which is the “mainstream” Hip Hop. I feel really bad about 93.3, especially this time of the year! Best of luck to you all!
By Southaustin
November 19, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this
This whole corporate change scenario is tedious and the end of music in Austin…I’m so sorry to say that we might have to eventually relinquish the title of “Live Music Capital…” Unless.
Let’s face the facts, the old ways haven’t quite wholly taken root with the new ways, and those new ways are ruthless; no conscience, no loyalty.
Is this our sellout? The end of Austin?
I’m not ready to sell out…not yet.
By Jordan
November 20, 2009 10:56 PM | Link to this
This is terrible. Austin’s radio should be more diverse than having only one hip-hop station and that pop crap on 96.7. I believe this was a horrible decision based upon money made by the idiotic higher ups. I am definitely going to have to boycott 93.3. Do we really need another tejano/latino/talk radio station?
By lydia
November 23, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
I do feel for the crew, however, let me know who I need to THANK. Cleaning house — you’re definitely right on!
By GKing
November 23, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this
I moved here from San Diego in 2004 and one of the things I loved most about Austin was the music. I started listening to HOT 93.3 when I moved here. I got in the car to drive home on Friday, turned the key, then I had some easy listening music on my station… WTF… Other than Seattle, I thought the radio stations here in Austin were the best. Can we do something to bring it back….?
By Amanda
November 24, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
Seriously this is ridiculous that they would rather get money because a radio station is doing successful then please the great people of Austin, Texas. This will come back to bite them where it hurts I promise you! Hip-Hop is one of my favorite genres and now I’m only limited to my music selection more so. It’s pathetic that in the “LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” we are limited to so much. You guys will regret this. FYI— You dj’s were awesome. Entertaining and original.
By an old friend :)
November 24, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
Im sorry if you were in the radio buisness…You should know there is no security in that field…If Emmis decided making more money was the way to to go …so be it! I love spanish music and another station wont hurt : ) you shoulda listened to mama and stayed in school
By brett
November 25, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
It’s official…I’m ditching radio now. I was really upset to find out my favorite station was gone. The boss man doesn’t sound like a great one to work for anyways. Sorry it happened. Best of luck to all the dj’s.
By Veronica
December 1, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
Well Mr. Rupe…what a GREAT way to show appreciation to your staff during the holidays. You definitely are the Scrooge of the year. I bet your family will be having a great Christmas though!!
By Ralph Aragon
December 8, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this
HOT933 was one of the best radio stations in Texas why would you take that away RUPE???? You’ll never find a crew like that again or even a radio station in that case.
By boricuantex
December 10, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
Where did DJ 2DQ go? He was my fave on the Beat didnt seem to be himself on HOT though, I miss the way he and Lady K would make me laugh on the way home from work every day. Does anyone know where I can find him on the radio?
By Jessica
February 22, 2010 9:24 PM | Link to this
Wow Hot 93.3 was the best in the world. I don’t even live in Austin but this radio station made me wanna move there. I was trying to see if I could listen to the station online from where I live in Orlando but it’s GONE?!?! I would like to know where the DJ’s are working now. They are what made the station so great. If anyone knows, please reply!
By Ken
March 25, 2010 7:10 PM | Link to this
Austin isn’t a hip hop market…Its more pop, rock , alternative, ect…Dallas and Houston even Killeen has a better hip hop/R&B Market because of the people who listen to it…This was bound to happen like the “redevelopment of the Eastside near downtown” lol.. I live in Dallas now, and the music thats being played in Austin, as far as R&B and Hip Hop is concerned, is out of date.
By OLIVIA
December 14, 2010 3:25 PM | Link to this
jessica one of the guys is on hot z95 in corpus christi tx and dj 2dq is on 102.3