New York City radio mainstay Funkmaster Flex is reportedly not leaving his longtime gig at Hot 97, despite seemingly announcing his exit after 33 years on the station’s airwaves.
The veteran rapper and DJ — who began hosting the station’s first-ever hip-hop show in 1992 — nearly broke the internet Thursday night with a social media post declaring that his “last show on Hot 97 at 7pm” would air on Monday, Sept. 1.
“All things come to an end! End of an era that I enjoyed very much!” he wrote. “I will make the last show a great one!”
Flex, 57, didn’t reveal what he had planned for the future, but later teased that his “next move will shock you!”
The post was quickly interpreted as an official announcement of his retirement, at least from Hot 97. Fans bemoaned the “end of an era” and rappers like 50 Cent predicted the death of traditional rap. Even industry outlets like Billboard were duped into believing Flex was hanging up his mic at the groundbreaking hip-hop station.
But, in fact, Flex is not leaving the company he’s been with for more than three decades. Instead, his carefully worded post appears to have been a social media stunt to create buzz for a new lineup that’s expected to kick off after the Labor Day weekend.
Multiple sources confirmed to TMZ that Funk’s program is moving up by two hours, to begin broadcasting at 5 p.m. The morning show will have an updated time of 6-11 a.m., DJ Drewski will spin from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Nessa Nitty will move to 1-4 p.m., and DJ Camilo will now run the boards from 4-5 p.m.
DJ Enuff was reportedly “released” from the station, according to TMZ, though it’s unclear what was behind that decision
Flex, whose legal name is Aston George Taylor Jr., has been a New York City music staple since even prior to joining Hot 97. He first worked with fellow Bronx native Chuck Chillout at 98.7 Kiss-FM, and briefly appeared on 107.5. He found his way to the Hot 97 airwaves when the station started live-streaming from the clubs where he performed.
Just this month, Flex was presented with a Key to the City by Mayor Eric Adams, who praised his “three decades of influence” and “his role in shaping the global reach of NYC’s hip-hop scene through his iconic platform.”
Originally Published:
