For all those who were offended by Hot 97's Tsunami song

EMMIS Top 40/Rhythmic WQHT (HOT 97)/NEW YORK has indefinitely suspended MISS JONES and the other members of the HOT 97 morning team for the airing of a song that made light of the catastrophic tsunami in Southeast Asia, as well as for comments made at the time the song was aired. EMMIS issued a statement to the press today (1/26).


Earlier in the week, MISS JONES apologized on the air saying, 'I apologize to all who have been offended by my poor decision to go along with playing that insulting (to say the least) Tsunami song. I should have known better and I didn't. So I'm sorry and hopefully we can move forward from this, or I can move forward from this being a better hostess, because I am better than that, and I know better than that -- and you deserve better radio than that.'


Despite the apology, HOT 97 management felt that stronger action was necessary to show the severity of the situation. The company release states: 'EMMIS RADIO and HOT 97 will not tolerate such derogatory and racially insensitive content. This incident in no way reflects the spirit of HOT 97. The station has a long-time and well-known reputation for community involvement and support.'


EMMIS RADIO President RICK CUMMINGS commented, 'What happened is morally and socially indefensible. All involved, myself included, are ashamed and deeply sorry. I know the members of the morning show are truly contrite. They know their actions here are inexcusable.'

I don't listen to Hot 97, but really? This happened? I think it's terrible...

But, well, freedom of speech, no?

I'll be honest, I didn't hear the song myself.

I posted this because there were some people talking about it in another post, and I remembered that when I saw this article on a trade site.

I'm all for Freedom of Speech, but a radio personality has a responsibility to their listeners - don't Alienate them or they won't listen!!!!!!! Without listeners, revenue goes down for a station. It's Business, you know? Obviously whatever Miss Jones said really P'ed some people off!

I heard the song and saw some of the lyrics and it was pretty offensive.

it was as if someone had made a song about the 9/11 tragedy......just poor taste

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Posted by PrincessRose

It's Business, you know?

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Ah yes...This seems to be the bottom line of everything, now doesn't it...

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Posted by BMD'sPeanut

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Posted by PrincessRose

It's Business, you know?

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Ah yes...This seems to be the bottom line of everything, now doesn't it...

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Sad but true.

and she'll sign a big money deal with a satellite radio company and won't even sweat this

look at stern

ahh i think this is all for ratings! management had to have know that she was going to play the song. and star and bucwild just joined power 105.1 (they were fired from hot 97 a few years ago). i think it is all a ploy for publicity!

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Posted by groovypeg

ahh i think this is all for ratings! management had to have know that she was going to play the song. and star and bucwild just joined power 105.1 (they were fired from hot 97 a few years ago). i think it is all a ploy for publicity!

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That was my first thought too... how did they not know she was going to play this??

some people have no shame...

Ok, I listen to Hot 97 every morning, but some how I missed this song because I happened to not be listening that day. AND I'M GLAD. And whomever said that about the tables being turned if they played a song like that about 9/11, you are so right. They were playing a song by Gin from the Rough Ryders all morning that was a slap back at Miss Jones today and they interviewed him this morning, too. He is asian and was extremely upset over the playing of that song, not because he is asian, but because it was just disgusting. He made a great point by saying this: At what point does someone draw the line? There were engineers recording it, station managers approving it, hosts willing to air it. Who was going to draw the line? NO ONE.
He made some other really good points, too. I won't go on, but I will say that I am PRO free speech, but ANTI low, blow, insensitive ratings grubbing, which is what this obviously was.

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Posted by PrincessRose

EMMIS Top 40/Rhythmic WQHT (HOT 97)/NEW YORK has indefinitely suspended MISS JONES and the other members of the HOT 97 morning team for the airing of a song that made light of the catastrophic tsunami in Southeast Asia, as well as for comments made at the time the song was aired. EMMIS issued a statement to the press today (1/26).


Earlier in the week, MISS JONES apologized on the air saying, 'I apologize to all who have been offended by my poor decision to go along with playing that insulting (to say the least) Tsunami song. I should have known better and I didn't. So I'm sorry and hopefully we can move forward from this, or I can move forward from this being a better hostess, because I am better than that, and I know better than that -- and you deserve better radio than that.'


Despite the apology, HOT 97 management felt that stronger action was necessary to show the severity of the situation. The company release states: 'EMMIS RADIO and HOT 97 will not tolerate such derogatory and racially insensitive content. This incident in no way reflects the spirit of HOT 97. The station has a long-time and well-known reputation for community involvement and support.'


EMMIS RADIO President RICK CUMMINGS commented, 'What happened is morally and socially indefensible. All involved, myself included, are ashamed and deeply sorry. I know the members of the morning show are truly contrite. They know their actions here are inexcusable.'

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She is not sorry at all. Miss Jones played that song for 4 days -- whenever any one called in to complain. She is sorry she provoked the listeners enough to write, call and e-mail enough higher ups to get her and her Morning Show members suspended.

She is also the one behind the Smackfest - they have listeners comes from all over to slap each other for money. I guess they sign waivers or something - sanctioned assault/battery?

one smackfest program

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Posted by don424

and she'll sign a big money deal with a satellite radio company and won't even sweat this

look at stern

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I LOVE STERN. But I don't think he would even stoop that low. That is just GROSS..

Wow that is EVIL. I have a pretty odd sense of humor and really, there is nothing remotely funny about that 'song'

Tsunami song

Ugh! Corporate America stinks!

OK REALLY THAT SONG IS NOT EVEN FUNNY.... Why would someone even play that on the air? I didn't hear it on the air. But I wonder what people where thinking driving and listening to this on the way to work.

Now your children would be sold to child slaverly what is wrong with people?