| "Radio-One personality, Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey is on a mission to bridge the gap between the church and the streets. Confirming that hip-hop is a universal language, Condrey uses his Atlanta-based broadcast to provide listeners with inspiring music and messages from celebrities, hip-hop personalities, and leading pastors. While prayer and Biblical instruction are staple program attributes, Condrey provides balance in an entertaining yet relevant way. In between hip-hop infused praise and worship sets, listeners of all ages call in or visit the station--some to pray or share testimonies others to “clown” and even cry.
Although Radio-One’s programming includes a gospel music station, the Spirit of Hip-Hop (SOHH) was created to provide positive music for the urban mainstream market. Proof that the model works, in less than two years, Condrey’s one-hour program morphed into a six-hour syndicated program with over 10 million listeners in 15 Radio-One markets.
Unlike holy hip-hop music, which generally attracts people of faith who like hip-hop and hip-hop fans who like inspirational rap, the SOHH broadcast is geared towards hip-hop overall. As such, it is not uncommon for listeners to hear positive verses from 50 Cent or Lyfe Jennings mixed in with Mary Mary or Kirk Franklin joints.
SOHH is a vehicle Condrey uses to promote “positive lifestyle choices, which embrace family, community, and culture.” Often, Condrey along with guest hosts, comedian John “Manna God” Gray and hip-hop R&P (rhythm & praise is an alternate to rhythm & blues) recording artist, Canton Jones can be heard discussing relationships, sharing their personal struggles or fielding calls from listeners with struggles of their own. Through the Spirit of Hip-Hop, Condrey demonstrates how to balance having faith in God with having fun." |
