KDAY 1580-AM Radio Station
Social Relation:
In 1956, Los Angeles-based KDAY 1580-AM radio station began broadcasting at 50,000 watts. At its inception, the radio station featured Top 40 music and well-known radio jocks such as Art Laboe, Alan Freed, and Wolfman Jack. Before long, its focus was mainstream fare from black artist, including Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles.
In the 1980s, KDAY pioneered airwaves by becoming the nation's first 24/7 rap music orientated radio station. The KDAY radio station ushered in many West Coast trailblazers such as, Ice-T, N.W.A., Egyptian Lover, Above the Law, and many others. KDAY radio station also hosted rap concerts featuring the first-ever appearances of East Coast rappers, Big Daddy Kane and Run-D.M.C.
Hiphop Outcome:
KDAY 1580-AM was a crucial outlet for Los Angeles rap music. Many of today's rap artists, radio station jocks, and record executives began their careers at KDAY. One such person was Greg Mack and his radio show, Mack Attack. Greg Mack's radio show is solely responsible for introducing rap music to the Los Angeles airwaves. He also showcased the first ever live radio mixing shows (5:00 o'clock Traffic Jam, Friday Night Live, Mixtape Show, and Live From Skateland U.S.A.) with a group of legendary DJs that included, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Battlecat, and DJ Keith Cooley, DJ Julio G, DJ Pooh, and Mixmaster Spade.
In fact, Dr. Dre and DJ Yella spent every spare moment recording their KDAY mixes at Eve's After Dark. The DJs and others during this era helped the radio station become a musical powerhouse in the Los Angeles Hiphop community. For example, KDAY would routinely send young rappers like Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Ice-T, MC Hammer, and Candyman out on promotional tours around Los Angeles to community centers, shopping centers, and schools.