The Power Summit, the radio mixshow conference staple which is celebrating it’s ninth year, kicked off Oct. 4 in the Dominican Republic. The four day gathering is hosting 2500 attendees and features over 30 events, including Thursday’s (Oct. 5) power brunch panel “Don’t Be Afraid of The New Stuff.”
During the panel, executives including Grand Hustle’s Bianca Mendez, independent Garnet Reid and WEMX/Baton Rouge’s MD Kool DJ Supamike talked with national mixshow DJs from major markets like WPHI and KMEL about the struggle of adding records.
Hartford’s WZMX DJ Buck said that for a station to break a record, the entire team must work it on each of their shifts rather than one DJ holding the track exclusively for their airshift. KBXX/Houston’s Music coordinator DJ J-Que contributed that at times, music directors have to make executive decisions to push a record, outside of their core DJ collective, if they believe in it. Using the example of Young Dro’s “Shoulder Lean,” Mendez shared that she worked the record beginning in December 2005 and it eventually hit No.1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart for three weeks.
Myspace and YouTube were consistent buzzwords at the conference for radio stations and artist promotions.
Later, Universal hosted a listening party with their artists Red Café, Ali & Gipp, Currency and Lil Eazy E. On the other side of the island, J Records artist Tyrese (aka Black Ty) showcased his rhyming talents and promoted his upcoming album, “Alter Ego,” that’s slated for December.
“J Records is not playing, Clive Davis has pressed the button!” said Black Ty, while Red Café chomped on a cigar nearby.
