Ken Johnson

37 POSTS
Ken Johnson is an Urban/Hip-Hop columnist for Barrett Media. Born and raised in Washington DC, his career experiences include serving as VP of Urban formats for Cumulus Media, holding the Director of Urban Programming post at ABC Radio Networks, and programming stations in Birmingham, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City. He has also managed affiliate relations for the Nick Cannon show, and worked as the Executive Producer of The Hughley Truth Podcast hosted by comedian DL Hughley. Ken currently runs Mean Ole Lion Media, a content creation company and podcast network. He can be reached by email at ken@kenjohnsonmedia.com.

The Art of the Radio Rebrand: Intentional, Strategic, and Listener-First

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"Whatever the reason, there has to be a reason."

Urban Radio Needs More Live, Local, and Connected Talent

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"I'm hopeful that this is a glimpse of what’s ahead for the urban format."

What Today’s R&B Samples Reveal About the Urban Radio Format

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"Collabs in R&B aren’t new, but lately the quality of production has impressed me."

Urban Radio in 2025: Local Connection, New Artists, Real Results

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"As long as programmers and personalities keep that balance in mind, I believe urban radio has room to grow and even reassert its influence."

Why Urban Radio Must Get Back To Being the Voice of the People

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"The truth is, urban radio has always been filled with pioneers. It has never been just about playing records—it’s been part of a movement"
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"Remember, your advantage is not what was listed on your business card. It is who you are, not what you do."

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Men..are redirecting discretionary dollars toward video games, spending double on gaming versus live events in Q1 2026.

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"The industry has spent decades telling talent to be genuine, build trust, and create authentic relationships with listeners. Yet when those same qualities extend beyond sports and into the realities of the business itself, they can suddenly be viewed as liabilities instead of strengths."

Paul Finebaum Reflects on His Legacy in Receiving the Sports Media Lifetime Achievement Award

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"I, somehow, have been able to survive and adapt. My career is full of different chapters. Every one of those chapters, I never really knew if I’d make it out of it."