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

Columns Ken Johnson Ken Johnson -
"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

Columns Ken Johnson Ken Johnson -
"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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20 Brands in 20 Days: Chris Lloyd, WBAB & 106.1 BLI

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"It's hard to fake Long Island. You gotta be it."

Cassette Comeback Defies Digital Music Streaming Dominance

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"In a culture built around infinite, frictionless content, that kind of deliberate attention has become rare enough to feel almost radical."

Why the NBA Should Never Give up Their Spot to the NFL on Christmas Day

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"The NFL is powerful enough to change the way sports fans consume Christmas Day. It is not powerful enough to make the NBA abandon it."

We Are What We Eat With Media Being the Meal

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"Understanding how our industry influences consumers’ decision-making doesn’t eliminate that influence, but it does encourage more thoughtful, impactful and compelling buying habits."