Power 105.1 is an urban contemporary radio station based in New York City. It is owned by Emmis Communications and broadcasts on 105.1 FM. Power 105.1 has established itself as one of the most influential urban radio stations in the country through its popular programming and staff.
The station is best known for “The Breakfast Club” morning show hosted by DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne Tha God. This show features interviews with celebrities and hip-hop artists, along with comedic segments. Power 105.1 is also the radio home of rappers 50 Cent and The LOX, who frequently appear on air.
Over the years, Power 105.1 has branded itself as “New York’s Hip-Hop and R&B.” While it plays a mix of the latest urban music, Power 105.1 has always focused on highlighting New York rap and R&B artists both past and present. This local emphasis attracts legions of loyal listeners across the Tri-State area.
History of Power 105.1
Power 105.1 first launched in 1993 under the call letters WQHT. It was originally a dance music station known as “Hot 105.” In the late 90s, the station shifted to an urban contemporary format to compete against New York’s other major urban station, WBLS.
Emmis Communications purchased the station in 1997. In 1998, the Power 105 identity was born when rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson began hosting a show along with DJ Kool Herc. The name “Power” was inspired by 50 Cent’s unreleased track “The Power.”
Power 105.1 soon surged in ratings thanks to its mix of old school hip-hop, reggae, and R&B. Popular DJs like Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, Star & Buc Wild, and Wendy Williams became staples on the station. By 2002, Power 105.1 overtook WBLS as the #1 urban station in the Tri-State area.
The station briefly switched to a top 40 format in 2004, but returned to urban that same year. It also acquired the rights to new York Giants football games, further boosting its popularity. 2005 marked another major shift when Power 105.1 debuted “The Breakfast Club” show starring Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, and Angela Yee.
Throughout its history, Power 105.1 has managed to stay at the forefront of New York hip-hop and R&B while also launching the careers of many broadcasting personalities. It continues to have a major influence on urban radio nationwide.
Music Played on Power 105.1
As an urban contemporary station, the core of Power 105.1’s music selection consists of hip-hop and R&B. However, it also incorporates more variety than the average urban radio station. Power 105.1’s playlist includes:
– The latest hits from rappers like Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B
– Popular R&B and soul artists such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Chris Brown, and Bruno Mars
– Music by New York hip-hop legends like Jay-Z, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., and Wu-Tang Clan
– A mix of old school and 90s hip-hop & R&B hits
– Reggae and soca selections on Sunday nights
– Mix show segments featuring DJs mixing and blending urban music
While appealing to a diverse audience, Power 105.1 has always made sure to break new artists coming out of the New York hip-hop scene. Many prominent New York rappers like 50 Cent, DMX, and The LOX gained initial fame through Power 105.1 mix shows in the 90s.
Notable Current Songs Played
Here are some of the most popular songs currently in rotation at Power 105.1:
– Drake – “Laugh Now Cry Later”
– Roddy Ricch – “The Box”
– Lil Baby – “We Paid”
– Pop Smoke – “What You Know Bout Love”
– Nicki Minaj – “Yikes”
– Chris Brown – “Go Crazy”
– Megan Thee Stallion – “Savage Remix”
– Summer Walker – “Playing Games”
– DaBaby – “ROCKSTAR”
– Jhené Aiko – “B.S.”
Notable Current DJs and Shows
Power 105.1’s DJ lineup features some prominent names in hip-hop radio. Here are the current shows and personalities you can hear by tuning into 105.1 FM in New York:
The Breakfast Club
Hosted by DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, and Angela Yee, this is Power 105.1’s flagship show airing weekday mornings from 6 to 10 am. The Breakfast Club dominates urban morning radio thanks to its interviews with rap stars, discussions about trending topics, and comedy segments like “Donkey of the Day.”
DJ Prostyle
As one-third of hip-hop group The LOX, DJ Prostyle brings major credibility to his weekend mix shows. He hosts “The People’s Mix” Saturdays from 6 to 10 pm which features lesser known underground artists.
DJ Self
Known as “Mr. Put On,” DJ Self hosts “Self Provided” Sundays from 6 to 10 pm. His show has helped break records for rap stars like 50 Cent, Young Thug, and Bobby Shmurda. DJ Self also heads Power 105.1’s “New at 2” segment spotlighting new music.
DJ Drewski
A staple at Power 105.1 since 2005, DJ Drewski hosts “The Seanie Show” on weekday evenings and “Weekend Takeover” on Saturdays. Drewski’s signature “5 O’Clock Free Flow” features new freestyles from up-and-coming rappers.
Nessa
As the hostess of “Nessa on the Road,” Nessa does live interviews and broadcasts from the scene of major hip-hop events across the country. She frequently covers Summer Jam, the BET Awards, and Hot 97’s Summer Jam.
In addition to its daily shows, Power 105.1 also hosts occasional guest DJ stints and weekends dedicated to old school R&B and classics. Former hosts like Ed Lover and Wendy Williams still make occasional appearances. With this distinctive lineup and mix of programming, Power 105.1 continues to dominate the New York urban radio landscape.
Signature Events
A huge part of Power 105.1’s brand involves the signature concerts and events it sponsors around New York City. These events attract thousands of fans each year and reinforce Power 105.1’s status as a cultural tastemaker. Some of the station’s most popular annual events include:
Powerhouse
Power 105.1’s massive fall concert has featured performances from Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and other hip-hop heavyweights through the years. Powerhouse concerts often create iconic moments like when Jay-Z brought out Michael Jackson as a surprise guest in 2001.
Power 105.1 Powerhouse Takeover: Orlando
Following the tradition of its annual New York show, Power 105.1 launched the Orlando edition of Powerhouse in 2018. Cardi B, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti and others have hit the stage so far in Orlando.
The Breakfast Club’s The Breakfast Club Live
DJ Envy, Charlamagne and Angela Yee take their top rated morning show on the road with full concerts featuring performances by leading rappers and R&B singers. These shows provide fans with a fun live extension of the radio program.
Circle of Sisters
This annual expo promotes black female empowerment through vendor exhibits, celebrity guests, and informative seminars. Past Circle of Sisters events have featured Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, and Taraji P. Henson as speakers.
Along with concerts, Power 105.1 is heavily involved with New York’s West Indian Carnival parade and annual DJ seminars discussing issues around hip-hop and culture. Through these live experiences, Power 105.1 cements strong loyalty with its diverse listeners.
Impact on Hip-Hop Culture
As one of America’s preeminent urban radio stations, Power 105.1 has had an enormous impact on wider hip-hop culture since the 90s. Some of the station’s key influences include:
- Breaking new music: Power 105.1 provided the first radio exposure to now legendary rappers like The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and 50 Cent. Its DJs are consistently among the first supporters of new hip-hop acts out of New York.
- Shaping tastes: By choosing which songs and artists to play heavy rotation, Power 105.1 has the power to influence what lives or dies in hip-hop. When the station powered 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” to hit status in 2003, it helped redefine the sound of hip-hop at the time.
- Superstar interviews: Thanks to its status, Power 105.1 lands exclusive interviews with the biggest names in rap. This gives artists a prime platform to promote their music and personalities to millions of engaged hip-hop fans.
- Comedic skits: The Breakfast Club’s comedic sketches like “Get Your Life Together” and “Shoot Your Shot” have gone viral online and become ingrained in pop culture.
- Feuds: Power 105.1’s outspoken personalities like Charlamagne Tha God have sparked feuds between rappers that play out on social media and diss tracks. These conflicts keep hip-hop culture going.
- New York platform: As New York’s #1 urban station, Power 105.1 has ensured NYC always has an influential voice in the national hip-hop conversation despite the rise of other regions.
While Power 105.1 has faced competition from online music and personalities like Joe Budden, the station has retained its strong brand identity and audience. It continues to be one of radio’s tastemaking forces within rap and R&B culture.
Power 105.1’s Influence on the Radio Industry
Beyond its impact on hip-hop, Power 105.1 has also made its mark on the radio industry by:
- Dominating ratings: Power 105.1 solidified its position as America’s top urban radio station, currently reaching over 3 million listeners a week in the Tri-State area alone.
- Morning show blueprint: The Breakfast Club’s wild success has inspired other stations to copy its format of combining interviews, pop culture debates, and comedy.
- Starring radio veterans: DJs like Ed Lover, Wendy Williams, and Angie Martinez first became famous at Power 105.1 and went on to excel across other media platforms.
- Leading in digital: Power 105.1 was one of the first radio stations to supplement its terrestrial signal with a popular website, social media channels, and mobile app.
- Rivaling satellite: Despite satellite radio’s growth, Power 105.1 has proven traditional urban radio can not only survive but thrive in national syndication.
- Adapting to streaming: Power 105.1 streams its station live online and produces special digital-only content like Angela Yee’s “Lip Service” podcast.
The station’s owners Emmis Communications now syndicate The Breakfast Club to over 100 stations nationwide. Power 105.1 changed perceptions that radio could no longer resonate in today’s fragmented media landscape. Stations across the country continue to emulate its formula of blending music with personalities.
Conclusion
In its 25+ year run, Power 105.1 has entrenched itself as one of America’s most powerful urban radio stations. It combines hit music with outspoken personalities to engage millions of listeners across New York and beyond. Power 105.1’s tastemaking influence on hip-hop culture and success across multiple platforms make it a radio pioneer. While adjustments are constantly being made to stay current, Power 105.1 remains the beating pulse of New York rap and R&B. For those who want to stay on top of what’s hot in urban music, Power 105.1 remains a “power”-ful destination.
