Poor People's Radio was conceived of and named by a radio engineer, Meyer Gottesman.[1] Meyer determined that the frequency was available and applied for a construction permit from the FCC. Upon the application, Meyer advertised for community involvement in the Berkeley Barb newspaper.[1] After three community meetings, the concept had "legs" as shown by a turn out of over 100 community activists at a church at the corner of Oak and Baker Streets in San Francisco. It is[when?] one of the many stations operated by community broadcasters Lorenzo Milam and Jeremy Lansman.[citation needed] The station broadcasts meetings of various local governing bodies as well as different and varied music shows.
Programming
KPOO features music and talk radio from local community activists. The music originally featured was jazz, blues and R&B from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
The Fillmore’s KPOO was an early adopter, launching an all-rap show in 1979. By the mid-80s with the help of young DJ, Marcus Clemmons, KPOO became the center of hip-hop in the Bay Area and beyond. Marcus, who was active from the early 80s into early 90s, helped to create a bridge in rap from the underground to the mainstream by building relationships with the likes of radio programmer Joe Rudolph, Compton rapper Eazy-E and Russell Simmons to name a few.
In the summer of 1982, KPOO started playing rap music on Sunday afternoons from 3pm-7pm with DJ LeBaron Lord King.
KPOO now broadcasts local public commentaries and talk programs with community and national Black leaders discussing what's going on in the Black community locally and nationally. The focus on the community continues with commentaries on a variety of talk and music programs. Some of the featured music programming includes salsa, jazz, blues, rap/hip hop, Latin, gospel and reggae, as well as an American Indian talk/music program, and local and national musicians host weekly music programs.
KPOO Special Guest
Throughout the years KPOO has given many artist their breaks including:
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