The Hot 97 Morning
Show, led by Miss Jones, has been suspended indefinitely for performing a parody
ridiculing victims of the catastrophic tsunamis that occurred in South Asia recently.
The song replaced verses from the hit 1980s song "We Are
the World" with lyrics like, "Go find your mommy/I just saw her float
by/ a tree went through her head/and now the children will be sold to child
slavery."
The radio station posted an apology and said the morning staff
would donate a week’s salary to tsunami relief efforts. "Hot 97 regrets
the airing of material that made light of a serious and tragic event. We apologize
to our listeners and anyone who was offended," the statement read.
"Hot 97 takes pride in its community involvement and in
the last few weeks has joined with broadcasters nationwide to raise money for
victims of the Tsunami. Our relief effort will result in a substantial cash
donation."
Chinese rapper Jin has conveyed his repulsion via freestyle.
when was hip-hop about being racist [and] ignorant? You know I was going to
have to say something about this whole situation. For some odd reason, whenever
some s**t like this happens in regards to my people in this society and the
media, it gets swept under the rug,"
said Jin.
"Keep those emails coming through, keep the complaint letters
going out, keep the phone calls going out to the radio station and the sponsors
and telling them how you feel."
Over 10,000 outraged people have signed an online petition objecting
the morning show’s song spoof, which was played for four days. Leaders in the
Asian community have also requested larger penalties, including FCC federal
fines and the dismissal of the entire morning show staff.
Miss Info, a Korean-American member of the morning crew, expressed
her disapproval prior to the airing of the parody, and was consequently reproached
by Miss Jones and comic Todd Lynn, who rebuked, "I’m going to start shooting
Asians."
New York Councilman James Gennaro recommended that those opposing
the morning show’s actions should express their grievances to advertisers as
well.
Former Hot 97 morning show shock jock Star of "Star and
Bucwild Morning Show," had comments for Miss Jones on his new Power 105
morning show.
"I’m just glad to be away from the filth. Can’t you see they were using
you b***h?," said Star. "This is the end of the road. B***h, weren’t
you saved when you were with my show?"
Star departed from Hot 97 after making remarks about singer
Aaliyah after her death.
Hot 97’s morning
show is ranked No. 2 in New York City with listeners age 12 and over.
