FCC/HOT97 Daily News

Rap session here?BY ERROL LOUISDAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERFriday, March 25th, 2005WASHINGTON - Things may be getting hotter for Hot 97.The Federal Communications Commission may hold special hearings in New York to investigate whether Hot 97 and other radio stations are fueling violence by broadcasting threat-filled lyrics and encouraging clashes between rival groups of rappers, the Rev. Al Sharpton said yesterday."This is a misuse of the public airwaves," Sharpton said, shortly after he met with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein."They ought to sanction radio stations that encourage a pattern, including employees who engage in on-the-air inciting of violence," Sharpton said.The civil rights activist predicted the FCC would hold hearings in the city, possibly as soon as this summer.An FCC spokesman confirmed yesterday's meetings but declined comment on what was discussed. A public airing of complaints could put Hot 97 on the defensive - especially because the hip-hop station, like all radio stations, must apply to the FCC for renewal of its broadcast license next year in order to stay on the air.The FCC has spent the past year cracking down on radio and television stations that broadcast raunchy lyrics and images, leveling multimillion-dollar fines against stations that violate decency rules.Hot 97 has been the target of fierce criticism following a recent shootout in front of the station between the entourages of rappers 50 Cent and The Game, whose on-air attacks escalated into gunplay that left a man hospitalized. A similar shooting in 2001 led to stiff prison terms for two gun-toting security guards who arrived at the station with rapper Lil' Kim and began firing at the entourage of another rapper, Nas.Lil' Kim, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, was convicted last week of lying about the incident to a federal grand jury and faces up to 20 years in prison.Critics say Hot 97 encourages clashes by scheduling dueling groups close together and allowing rappers to spew threats and insults over the air. Sharpton has been calling for a 90-day boycott of stations linked to violence.Barry Mayo, the president of Hot 97, had no comment yesterday.