The landlord of the SoHo building which houses New York’s Hot 97 vowed to evict the controversial radio station because of various shootings and altercations in front of the station.
Stuart GraBois, a member of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, which owns 395 Hudson St., said the eviction process has started.
“We’ve directed our attorneys to begin the eviction process,” GraBois told the New York Daily News. “We’re concerned about the safety of the public and our other tenants.”
The decision was made after several violent accounts occurred outside of WQHT-FM’s offices.
Brooklyn rapper Jamal “Gravy” Woolard was grazed by a bullet on Wednesday and taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital, according to authorities.
Police said that the shooter was angry because the rapper refused to let him sit in on the interview.
“Mr. Gravy has been largely uncooperative,” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.
This is just one of many violent acts associated with the popular radio station.
Last year, Reverend Al Sharpton called for R&B and Hip-Hop stations to voluntarily ban artists promoting violence for 90 days.
Among the participants was Hot 97 owner Emmis.
“All television and radio stations are required to meet community standards established by the FCC,” Emmis said in a statement to Reverend Sharpton. “We make every effort, and will continue to make every effort to meet and even exceed those standards through quality programming that is in touch with our audience. We are an entertainment option. We in no way condone acts of violence. We hope that the perpetrators of these violent acts are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the proper authorities.”
The Hot 97 building was the site of a shoot out between members of 50 Cent and the Game’s entourage, in February of last year.
Another incident erupted in 2001, when Lil Kim’s crew had a run-in with rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga and bullets flew outside the station.
As a result of these incidents and several complaints from other tenants in the building, GraBois tightened security in the building, and allowed artists to bring only one person into the station with them.
The station is also required to notify the police of guest appearances, at least four days in advance.
Hot 97 host, Miss Jones, expressed her frustration with the drama surrounding the radio station on her show yesterday morning.
“We’re tired of you bringing your beef to our building,” she said. This is some stupid kind of beef among nobodies.”