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.

Audio Still Wins: Why Urban Radio Connects Where Video Can’t

The point is clear—audio fits into people’s lives in ways video simply can’t. But beyond convenience, the real story is the connection.

Why Urban Radio Personalities Can’t Be Replaced by AI

AI personalities can give you the details of a Beyoncé concert but not the experience of seeing one, or express feelings from the Destiny’s Child Beyoncé to what we see today.

Why Urban AI Bands and Virtual Stars Don’t Work

Where the concept loses me is that if it hasn’t already happened, I think it's a short walk until this is done in R&B.

Making the Pivot: Turning Radio Skills Into New Roles

I’ve often talked with radio and record folks about how the experience we gain in these industries doesn’t always seem to translate well into other careers.

Urban Radio and Late-Night TV: Who’s Making the Calls?

In Urban radio, we’ve experienced this all too often. If there’s a sales problem, some decision-makers believe that cutting the quality of content will somehow fix it.

Breaking

4 Non Blondes Singer Linda Perry Documentary

I remember the first time I saw the band...

20 Brands in 20 Days: Chris Lloyd, WBAB & 106.1 BLI

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

Cassette Comeback Defies Digital Music Streaming Dominance

"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

"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."