WQHT, Radio station in East Village, New York, US
WQHT is a radio station in East Village, New York, broadcasting on frequency 97.1 FM and known as Hot 97. The station focuses on hip-hop and R&B music, reaching listeners across the New York metropolitan area.
The station began in 1940 as a classical music outlet and went through several format changes before switching to a hip-hop format in 1992. This transition made it one of the first major commercial stations to focus entirely on rap music.
The station connects hip-hop culture with the urban lifestyle of New York, broadcasting programs that reflect rap music and street culture. Listeners experience a format built around rhythmic beats, freestyle segments, and conversations about the city's music scene.
Broadcasts are available through FM radio, online streaming, and mobile apps, allowing listeners from different neighborhoods to access programming. Reception works best across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and surrounding boroughs.
The station hosts an annual Summer Jam festival, a major hip-hop concert that draws tens of thousands of attendees and serves as a key event in the rap scene. The gathering brings together established and rising artists on a shared stage.
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