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.

Let’s give @meemichie the flowers she’s earned – Thank you for you contributions to Hip Hop. #50YearsofHipHop #FemaleRappers pic.twitter.com/1sqFXtTTbk

— VIBE105TO (@vibe105to) March 7, 2023

“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”.

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