Change.org is usually for boycotts and petitions of a political sort, but tonight it was utilized to demand that Hot 97 fire DJ Funkmaster Flex.
Azeem Khan, Digital Strategy Consultant in New York, is the architect behind the already infamous petition. He told AllHipHop.com exclusively why he started the now-trending topic.
“It’s one thing to be wrong by mistake, but he’s been gassing up this beef like no other. Everything is about clicks. This was straight up lying though. He’s needed to step down for a while now. I didn’t realize it would blow like this, but he should at least see what the fans really want. And that’s to not be lied to,” Khan told AllHipHop. “Everyone was tuned in, and he gave us the best pump fake since Michael Jordan in the 98 Finals. His site already picked it up, and he IG’d it. That just further shows he thinks he’s really just above everyone else. And he’s not.”
The petition has over 4,000 supporters as of this writing and continues to grow. In the petition, Khan outlines his feelings.
There has always been word that DJ Funk Funkmaster Flex was not someone who was willing to give up his position at Hot 97 for his slot. Despite constant critiques from everywhere for the old man to step down, and give the younger people a shot he decided to stay where he was. Last year Dame Dash was at the forefront of the movement saying that Funk Flex really needs to just leave. Well, today was the last straw. This fraud of a DJ decided to lie to everyone for ratings and downloads of the Hot 97 app that Meek Mill would be on tonight to release a diss track to Drake to no avail. No one has given Hot 97 two hours of listening time since Biggie was alive, and it’s a crime to have taken that from us. The people have spoken and it is time for Funk Flex to step down. – The Petition
Khan admitted that starting the petition has a very base reason.
He said, “I guess it’s a sense of disappointment on my part. I’m glad I started it because it goes to show I’m not alone on this. And the people deserve to be heard.”