African American disc jockeys History of radio disc jockeys

plaque commemorating radio dj nat d. williams in downtown memphis, tennessee

african american radio djs emerged in mid 1930s , late 1940s, in cities large black populations such new york, chicago, los angeles , detroit.

jack l. cooper on air 91⁄2 hours each week on chicago s wcap , credited being 1 of first black radio announcers broadcast gramophone records, including gospel music , jazz, using own phonograph.

dj herb kent began career in 1944 playing classical records on chicago s wbez, fm broadcasting service chicago public schools. during 1950s, kent worked @ wges in chicago , @ wbee coined phrase dusty records or dusties. spent several years 1 of original djs @ wvon, heritage station chicago s black community.

hal jackson

in 1939, hal jackson first african american radio sportscaster @ wook-am in washington, dc, , later hosted house jack built, dj program of jazz , blues. jackson moved new york city in 1954, , first radio personality broadcast 3 daily shows on 3 different new york stations. in 1990, jackson first minority inducted national association of broadcaster s hall of fame.

other prominent black djs included al benson on wges, first popular disc jockey play urban blues , use black street slang in broadcasts. jesse spider burke hosted popular show on kxlw in saint louis, missouri. james featured on wrox (am) in clarkesdale, mississippi. ramon bruce became prominent dj @ (am) in philadelphia. major u.s. cities operated full-time rhythm , blues radio station, , african americans traveled country spread word of favorite radio personalities.

nat d. williams first african american disc jockey on wdia in memphis popular tan town jamboree show. african american radio djs found necessary organize in order gain opportunities in radio industry, , in 1950s formed national jazz, rhythm , blues disc jockey association. group s name later changed national association of radio , television announcers. in 1960, radio station managers formed negro radio association foster , develop programming , talent in radio broadcasting industry.