Styles: Tell us what’s going on here? A lot of people tuned in to KDAY and overnight they got a huge surprise as you guys changed formats.

Chuck D: We are L.A.’s original Hip-Hop station so it’s only right that we go back to our original format. Much love to the original 1580 KDAY for laying the foundation. People have to understand that was then and this is now - we can never be the original KDAY but we are trying to establish something new with that same type of vibe. We changed on August 19^th and we are about to go back in the day with Hip-Hop. We’ve got some California love coming up as we are representing for the West Coast - not just for Hip-Hop.

Styles: What prompted this change?

Chuck D: People that were in positions previously are no longer here. The people that decided to make this station “The Beat” are not here. I am not going to say it was non-sense but it just didn’t work for us and our followers. At this point in time we have a Program Director with a good head on his shoulders and he’s definitely doing a hell of a job as far as programming the right music. He saw the vision but he’s only one man. The people below him such as the DJ’s, street teams, and promotions had a vision of where the station needed to go also, but there were people in positions that prevented it from happening. Now that they are gone we are giving L.A. what they want right now.

(Chuck pauses to play “California Love” by 2Pac & Dr. Dre)

Styles: How long did it take to make this transition once certain people in power left?

Chuck D: I remember coming in to the station about a year ago and we had just turned in to “The Beat” at that time. It didn’t make sense but I was rollin’ with the project. The Beat had its name and KDAY had its name and the whole idea behind that was, “KDAY the Beat of L.A.” Two legendary stations joining forces. That vision didn’t work. We had syndicated shows and L.A. wasn’t feeling that. We had meetings with the owners and were like, “We see what you want to do but this isn’t what L.A. wants and what Hip-Hop needs right now. We need a station that caters to the L.A. market. We want to hear L.A. artists and hear L.A. personalities.” Not that there is anything wrong with the current Hip-Hop artists right now, but we don’t need to hear the same songs every hour! Switch it up a little. Put some L.A. artists in the mix. Back to the question, I remember hearing the news about certain people leaving one after the other over a span of 2 to 3 months. I would say that after they left, it took us about 2 months to flip it up. You can’t just stop overnight. There are a lot of commercials that need to be recorded, music that has to be selected, music previously in the system that has to be deleted, there’s a lot in to it.

Styles: I understand that you are not talking on air at this point, right?

Chuck D: Nobody is talking right now. We are just giving people the music at this point. I can’t even answer when we are going to be on. We could be coming on air next week for all I know. Right now we are just playing music for you guys because that’s what the people want. It’s a good way to build anticipation and to have people wondering what’s next and who’s going to end up being on air.

Styles: You knew about this change and had to keep it a secret within you.

Chuck D: I knew for sure about this change days before it happened because there were a lot of rumors. Everybody knew that change was coming but we didn’t know if it was going to be change for the good or change for worst.

Styles: So you didn’t know if you guys were going to be another KISS FM or Star 98.7?

Chuck D: We didn’t know if we were going to be KDAY Reggaeton! That’s how crazy it was! For the last few months I didn’t know what was going on. I was going in day to day, doing my job and picking up my check. I could be gone the next day – and that’s how it was because there were a lot of budget cuts. A lot of people did get cut in the process. We started out with 20 to 25 employees and now we are down to like 10 or 15. The good part about that is that there is a close vibe between everybody now in the office. I used to come in with the attitude of “another day, another check.” It’s an exciting time and anything can happen at this point. I’m just waiting to see us put more music in the system. I’m waiting to see us support more L.A artists. I want to see us incorporate a mix-show which is something that I hope to see real soon. We’ve got the music and now we have to have those live DJ’s spinning and supporting our upcoming artists.

Styles: Do you think there is a chance that the station will be playing new artists and breaking new music?

Chuck D: Let me put it like this; as long as the people out there support what we are doing right now, there is a great chance. If people do not support, then it’s a wrap. That’s why people need to know how important it is to support L.A. radio right now. People are always telling us what they want to hear from L.A. radio stations but now that we are doing it, they need to support it. We need people to call in and let us know what they think. If that works out and the urban community supports us, then you can definitely be on the lookout for a mix-show or something like that later on.

Styles: L.A. seems like the only major market that doesn’t have its own identity as far as radio is concerned. You go to other parts of the country and their stations tend to identify with the people around them.

Chuck D: When it comes down to it, the mystical word is “research.” It’s mostly the general managers, upper management and owners of the stations that don’t understand the Los Angeles scene. They will look at other stations elsewhere and be like, “Miami runs it like this. L.A. and Miami are similar, so let’s run it like that.” We are not Miami! You can’t compare Los Angeles to Miami. Both cities have their own styles and identities. These people think that what will work in one market, will work in another, and that’s not true. And that’s what we are trying to prove to them – that you can’t do what works in Miami out in L.A. Los Angeles can influence other markets. People are jerkin’ across the damn nation now. Even with Gangsta Rap – L.A. has its own identity. The people in power haven’t been feeding L.A. what it’s needed and hopefully we can get back to that.

Styles: What has the feedback from the fans been like in regards to this change?

Chuck D: Let me read you the Twitter responses! Here’s one: “You guys are awesome. Thank you for bringing KDAY back. This puts me back to when I was 16 and L.A. needs it.” People have been hitting us up left and right and telling us about the memories that they are having. I’ve gotten messages from people out in Canada, Oregon, Washington and other far out places. People are streaming it online at www.935kday.com . Let me take a call.

(Chuck takes a live call)

Chuck: What up?

Caller: This is Eddie.

Chuck: What can I do for you Eddie?

Caller: I just want to let you know that you guys are doing a good job.

Chuck: You like the changes that are going on?

Caller: Fuck yeah! This is better than Power 106! (Cursing censored on air)

Chuck: Where are you calling from?

Caller: Artesia.

Chuck: Artesia is in the house! Do you have any shout-outs?

Caller: Yeah. All of the homies in Artesia.

Styles: (laughs) You are going to have to edit that when you play it live. We are getting the live stuff right here!

Chuck D: That question that you asked was perfect timing because those are the kind of calls that we are getting. Let me play a call that came in earlier.

(Chuck hits the recorder)

Caller: It’s about time you guys brought KDAY back. This is Mike from Wilmington. As soon as I found out that you guys came back, I’ve been locked on.

Different caller: The Old School Hip-Hop is my era. I am so glad that you guys are back. I hate all of those other stations. Now that you guys are back, I can turn on the radio again. 93.5 FM KDAY!

Another caller: KDAY is bumpin’ all of the jams! Better than Power 106 and better than anybody else.

Another caller: I’m from Pasadena and I just want you to know that I kept listening with the hopes that you guys could go back. At this point, anything you’ll play I’m rolling with. I’m loving the change on 93.5 KDAY.

Chuck D: The people are really feeling what we are doing. I am glad that people are supporting but honestly, this isn’t good enough for me. I want people to really go out there and support. I want to go out to the streets and see how people are feeling the changes. People can support us online. Hit up the Twitter at www.twitter.com/935kday . Follow us and show us that love because we definitely need it. I can honestly say that we are the only urban station out here and we need the support. Just like people are saying to support Slaughterhouse for Hip-Hop, please support us because we are doing it for Hip-Hop.

Styles: If this doesn’t succeed for the station now?

Chuck D: If this doesn’t succeed for us now, then it’s a wrap for L.A. radio. Everybody that has been wanting a change to L.A. radio, this is your time to step up!

Styles: Have you received any support yet from the artists themselves?

Chuck D: Hell yes. Nipsey Hussle, Problem, and Bad Lucc – a lot of the new upcoming artists have been supportive. We had The Clipse up here the other day.

Styles: But what about the people you are playing?

Chuck D: We have Queen Latifah coming soon. Shade Shiest hit us up the other day. I’ve been trying to get at Snoop man because we’ve been banging the hell out of Snoop. DJ Quik was at our Fresh Fest concert which was our initial launch. We got interviews from Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Naughty By Nature and they liked the fact that real Hip-Hop was back on the radio. Once the word gets out, I am sure that we’ll have more come aboard too.

Styles: I understand that on the side of your KDAY job, you have your own Internet radio show called Homegrown Radio. Tell us about that.

Chuck D: That’s my baby right there. When I got involved in Internet Radio, I started at Long Beach State. I have my own website called Homegrownradio.net. I love West Coast music – that’s just me. That’s basically what I try to stream on my site. I play upcoming Hip-Hop and new music too but I like to interview those artists too like Mykestro, Bad Lucc and others. I try to get the new names on the West Coast out there. There are so many and if I didn’t mention your name, I’m sorry. These are for the artists that don’t get the normal chance to get radio play. And they get the chance to build a relationship with someone that can possibly help them down the line – like me. As they grow bigger, they can probably help me out later on too. Jay Rock is a good example. I was one of the first guys to interview him when I had the Long Beach State show. Now every time he sees me he recognizes me as someone that’s been down since day one. That’s a perfect example of what Homegrown Radio represents. Hopefully I can push that show a little more. My loyalties are with KDAY first and to help make sure that the new launch goes off right but Homegrown Radio is my baby. I am going to take that show to the next level when I get the chance.