Last February, Nic Stana was, as most of us often are, on the internet. A chance encounter with an ad for an internet radio station got him thinking that he could do something similar, but all-local. And all-hip-hop. "By the end of the night I had a little something running and got really excited that it actually worked," says Stana.
As a local rapper and beatmaker going by the name LoccStana, Stana was all too familiar with the lack of dedicated hip-hop and rap venues in the city, so 902Radio was born. "Starting the next morning I made a Facebook page, bought the website domain name and within two weeks the FB likes racked up to 300 and I had lots of support---the very first music submission was sent by J Jigga John AKA JG."
Since then, the local love has poured in. Turning on 902Radio online at 902radio.com accesses the latest tracks from locals like Nadasi, Thrillah, Baseline, JayMayne, JayTruth, Critty & OTL (former CTG), Benzosa, MannyBoiiSpittin and more.
With support from other local hip-hop organizations like UAS Entertainment, CDN Movement, 902Mixtapes and 44Productions, the station has amassed hours of music, three prerecorded weekly shows---HotcueMixdown with DJ Hotcue, Friday Nights with JayTruth, Make Time For a Good Time with Pete Adams---one live weekly show (902RadioLIVE, hosted by Stana) and interviews with artists regularly. Stana hopes for more shows (he's currently looking for a female radio host), and the ultimate goal is to get a studio, start broadcasting live and eventually make the switch from online to FM.
"The next move now is to get a studio so we can go live everyday and have all the show hosts come in do their thing," he says. "It just seems to me that things are at a standstill right now and the only way to get the ball rolling again is to get a studio."
For now, 902Radio is asking for simple shoutouts, for rap fans to spread the word, and for local musicians to submit their music, or just buy one of the station's sweet t-shirts. "The feedback and response has been amazing from the local community and it's only growing more each day."
Stana is dedicated to building the community, and 902Radio has recently started hosting live events and parties where the artists featured on the station can get on stage and show off.
"It's out here, not just on the internet," says Stana. "The great thing about the events is that not only are they good for promotion and for raising funds but they also give the artists that are on 902Radio a chance to perform live and get paid. 902Radio is not just an internet radio station---it's part of the scene, it grows with all the artists."
www.902radio.com
