HOT97 Smackfest comment (complaint letter)

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

EMMIS Communications
One EMMIS Plaza40 Monument Circle, Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Charles B. Rangel (Democrat)
2354 Rayburn House Office Building United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Manhattan OfficeCongresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney
1651 3rd Avenue Suite 311
New York, NY 10128-3679212-860-0606 phone212-860-0704 fax

HOT 97
395 Hudson St. 7th Fl.
New York, NY 10014

The Emmis Communications owned-HOT 97 WQHT FM Radio Station "SmackFest2005" promotion was briefly discussed on the Atlanta, Georgia-based WAOK1380 AM "CrossTalk" Morning Show on January 27, 2005. It was not untilI visited the Hot97.com website that a broader perspective of the eventwas realized. Ironically, the homepage opens with a lengthyexplanation/apology for a recent tasteless spoof song about theSoutheast Asia Tsunami victims and cites moral and social responsibilityas the rationale. However, on the same page is an advertisement for the"SmackFest 2005". I do not have the vernacular to explain my thoughtsafter selecting that option. All it takes for any self-respecting humanbeing is to click onto one video clip to realize the hypocriticallyinsane inhumanity. "SmackFest 2005" is as barbaric, graceless, inhuman,lowbrow, primitive, tasteless, uncivilized, uncouth, and vulgar of astation-promoted event perceivable. In the one video clip that Iviewed, there were two young black women slapping each other in the face- for $500. The music, "Ante Up" by the group "M.O.P." - glorifyingstreet robbery, is dominating the aura as there are 3 rounds of eachwoman slapping the other. The slapping is judged and a "winner" isselected. In the end of the aforementioned video clip, the "winner"proudly boasts (with a swollen face and still-bleeding lower lip) thatshe "...slapped "this chick", and still won the $500". First, what is the desired end/message? Second, according to the EmmisCommunications Corporate Portfolio description of HOT97 WQHT(http://www.emmis.com/portfolio/wqht.aspx)"... HOT 97 is targeted to the12-34 year old and is committed to contributing to the youth of thecommunity through their Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation and its Hip HopSymphony program, providing instruments to under-funded music programsin New York City's public school system." Yet, this event is shamelesslypromoted to the very age demographic that statistically perpetuates thegreatest percentage of violence. Last, on the homepage and in referenceto the Tsunami-song incident, Emmis Radio President, Mr. Rick Cummingsis quoted as stating that "What happened is morally and sociallyindefensible". I am interested in obtaining the "moral and socialdefense" for "SmackFest" promotion. Assist me in making a reasonableconnection.This is not entertainment. This is the glorification of senselessviolence for very little money, thereby subliminally insinuatingdesperation, and reinforcing universally accepted stereotypes in thisgenre and its supporters/participants. I personally and whole-heartedly request this madness to be discontinuedimmediately.

In the Gap,
Dwayne T. Brown