Black Radio
I am a white person.
I do not buy or listen to records by white artists like Air Supply or George Michael. Why? Because of the music! I do buy and listen to records by black artists like Robert Cray and Prince. Why? Because of the music!
KJLH does not play Black Uhuru’s reggae, Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s African music, Robert Cray’s blues, Joan Armatrading’s folk-rock or Jon Butcher’s hard-rock. Why? Because of the music!
KJLH does play the funk/soul/pop of Prince, Anita Baker, Madonna, and Teena Marie. Why? Because of the music!
To expect any black artist to be accepted and played on any black station is absurd. Musical styles and tastes vary too widely. Shall we also condemn KJLH for not playing Jessye Norman’s latest classical release? Of course not.
I personally object to a radio station’s programing being called “black” and to seeing “black” music charts in Billboard magazine.
Music is sound, not color.
DAVID ALBRECHT
Los Angeles
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