Jamaican-owned RoadblockRadio aims to fill ‘big void’ in tri-state area
The sale of WVIP 93.5 FM last summer was a body blow to the West Indian community in the tri-state area. That radio station was ‘home’ for several Jamaican broadcasters who brokered slots on its airwaves for many years.
A new day for Caribbean radio in that region dawns on May 1 with the launch of RoadblockRadio.com, a company owned by Jamaican Kacy “G City” Rankine. It will air as 101.1FM HD3 on CBS.FM.
The New Jersey-based Rankine is a veteran of that state’s entertainment scene, having operated the RoadblockRadio FM Internet station and G City Promotions.
RoadblockRadio.com came about after negotiations with Audacy, a company that provides free access to Internet and radio stations. In an interview with Observer Online, Rankine likened the deal to a stroke of luck.
“This man (Audacy executive) don’t know me from paint, they never had to pick me because there are so many ethnic groups…Jews, Haitians. But I negotiated a deal and it worked out,” he said.
That deal will hear RoadblockRadio.com in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, states with the largest Jamaican and West Indian populations in the United States. Its main content will be reggae, dancehall and soca, complemented by experts giving advice on immigration, medical and political matters.
Rankine admits being shaken by the US$8.5 million sale of WVIP 93.5 FM last July. That left “a big void” in West Indian circles, as the station was a source of constant community information as well as allowing small businesses to reach wider markets.
“With the loss of that station, there was people scattering all over. This opportunity came into my hands,” he said.
RoadblockRadio.com will have 20 disc jockeys offering a mix of classic and contemporary music from the Caribbean.
While hailing the dynamics of Internet stations, Rankine noted that West Indians prefer traditional radio as they grew up on that format.
A past student of Ardenne High School, he migrated to the United States shortly after graduating. Musically-inclined since his teens, Rankine operated RoadblockRadio FM and G City Promotions for many years.
Those entities promoted shows in New York and New Jersey featuring artistes such as Beres Hammond, Capleton, Sean Paul, Alison Hinds and Machel Montano.
