New York DJ Battle Verges on Criminal Use of Airwaves

One of the uglier aspects of hip-hop is the rivalry that crops up between the participants in the genre. “Dissin’” one another seems to be standard, violence between the entourages is Roman at its heart, and the odd murder keeps everyone on his toes. A new low was reached in New York last week when a Radio DJ threatened the children of another. As usual, there’s never a cop around when one is needed.

If there is anything more senseless than morning TV, it’s morning radio. In a civilized society, radio in the morning would consist of news, weather and traffic at the top of the hour followed by album sides until the next hour. Unfortunately, America has long thought that the people who played the records were stars just like the people who made the music in the studio. So, Troi Torain a/k/a DJ Star formerly of “Power 105,” is a major celebrity in the New York radio market – mainly for his faux black militant posing and equal opportunity race baiting. Rashawn Casey a/k/a DJ Envy of “Hot 97” is in the same undistinguished class. Apparently, the spotlight is too narrow, and they have been trying to push each other out of it for years with ever more outrageous statements. And forget trying to find music on either individuals' program.

As New York’s Daily News put described it, last week, Mr. Torain said on the air of Mr. Casey, “‘Yes, I disrespect your seed,’ Torain ranted. ‘If you didn't hear me, I said I would like to do an R. Kelly on your seed. On your little baby girl.’” R. Kelly is more famous for a sex video he did with an underage girl than for his half-assed music. Mr. Torain also offered $500 if any listener would tell him where Mr. Casey’s kids, aged 4 and 2, go to school.

Nothing happened until Mrs. Casey called her city councilman, who called the FCC. The FCC got hold of Clear Channel, which employed Mr. Torain and operates Power 105, and only Wednesday of this week was Mr. Torain fired. The Manhattan DA’s office, which must play some other station (maybe “Flaccid 108?”), is investigating. And it looks like criminal charges are in order, and certainly, Mr. Torain may lose his FCC license. And perhaps, Clear Channel should lose their frequency in New York, just to make sure everyone understands that this is serious.

Rondell Conway, associate music editor for Vibe magazine (a “must-read” for the hip-hop nation), said, Mr. Torain “is trying to fill the void left by Howard Stern. He wants to show that he’ll say anything, no matter how outrageous.” Chasing after the white man’s dollar by imitating the white man -- there’s a term for that that Mr. Torain used regularly on his show, “Uncle Tom.” He won’t be missed.

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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