Toronto’s VIBE 105 commemorates 50th anniversary of Hip Hop

Toronto’s VIBE105 (CHRY-FM) is rolling out a year-long programming celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. 

Working collaboratively with pioneers, contributors, and influencers from across North America, the community station is planning to produce interactive content throughout the year exploring the impact of the genre from defining artists to the reach of Hip Hop culture and its influence on sports, food, business and the arts. Starting this month, the station will be championing the sound and culture of Hip Hop through limited series podcasts, interviews, artist spotlights, video content and editorial features. 

Headlining the content rollout is a series of “on-location” conversations led by Hip Hop culturalist and veteran radio personality Ricky ‘Ricochet’ Bains, who will interview notable contributors to the culture in “the places and spaces they first fell in love with Hip Hop.” One of the founding members of Ill Kidz Soundcrew, Bains helped expand the reach of Hip Hop across Canada as a national and international touring DJ and emcee. He’s currently the host of afternoon drive on VIBE105, weekdays from 2 – 5 p.m., in addition to hosting the revival of the Made in Toronto Takeover, airing at 6 p.m., Sunday thru Friday.

“Dating back to the initial launch of 105.5FM in 1986, this signal has routinely produced Canada’s largest and most diverse offering of Hip Hop programming on the FM dial – a distinction which 37 years later still holds true,” said Randy Reid, General Manager and CEO of VIBE105. “As Canada’s volume media leader in the curation and presentation of black and black music culture, it’s only right that we kick off the celebration of a genre that has defined our broadcast mandate for close to 40 years”.

Reid says the year-long celebration is underway with an exploration of Hip Hop’s origins, focused on the decade from 1973-82. Features will include a look at the Top 5 rappers from each decade, rap duos, Canadian artists, big albums, and other topics like DJ culture, the women of Hip Hop, concert culture, breakdancing, artist and producer influences, and the impact of community radio.


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Connie Thiessen
Connie Thiessenhttps://broadcastdialogue.com
Connie has worked coast-to-coast as a reporter, editor, anchor and host at CKNW and News 1130 in Vancouver, News 95.7 and CBC in Halifax, and CFCW Edmonton, among other stations. With a passion for music, film and community service, she led News 95.7 to a 2013 Atlantic Journalism Award and regional RTDNA award for Best Radio Newscast. More recently, she was nominated for Music Journalist of the Year at Canadian Music Week 2019. To report a typo or error please email - corrections@broadcastdialogue.com

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