Hot 97, broadcasting as WQHT on New York's 97.1 FM, has been one of the most influential hip-hop radio stations in the country for decades. From launching Summer Jam to giving a platform to legendary freestyles and morning-show rivalries, the station has helped shape hip-hop culture far beyond the five boroughs.
Here are verified facts about Hot 97's history, its call sign, its biggest names, and how it became a New York institution.
Hot 97 broadcasts on 97.1 FM in New York City under the call sign WQHT.
The call sign WQHT is popularly said to stand for "Where Quality Hip-Hop Thrives."
The station launched at 97.1 FM on September 22, 1988, after Emmis Broadcasting moved its WQHT call letters and rhythmic format from 103.5 FM to the former WYNY frequency; the first song played as Hot 97 was M|A|R|R|S's "Pump Up the Volume."
Hot 97 started out with a dance and rhythmic-contemporary format before shifting its focus to hip-hop and R&B by 1993, becoming known as the "home of hip-hop."
Angie Martinez, later dubbed the "Voice of New York," built her radio career at Hot 97, where she was a fixture for more than two decades before moving to WBLS.
Hot 97's annual Summer Jam concert launched in 1994 and has grown into one of the biggest hip-hop festivals in the country, hosted historically at MetLife Stadium and other major New York-area venues.
DJ Mister Cee, a longtime Hot 97 personality, discovered and mentored a young Christopher Wallace (the Notorious B.I.G.) and helped connect him with Sean "Diddy" Combs, leading to his signing with Bad Boy Records.
Funkmaster Flex joined Hot 97 in 1992 to host the station's first hip-hop show, and remained one of its signature DJs for more than 30 years, known for exclusive premieres and on-air freestyle sessions.
Hot 97 has a long-running rivalry with fellow New York station Power 105.1, which has fueled some of the most talked-about moments in New York hip-hop radio history.
Ebro Darden joined Hot 97 in 2003 as music director before moving into on-air roles, co-hosting the station's morning show across multiple stints, including "Ebro in the Morning" starting in 2012.
Peter Rosenberg has been part of Hot 97 since 2007, co-hosting the morning show for years and hosting his own hip-hop specialty program.
In December 2025, "Ebro in the Morning" ended and Funkmaster Flex took over Hot 97's morning show duties.
Journalist and radio personality Miss Info became known at Hot 97 for breaking hip-hop news and landing exclusive artist interviews.
Hot 97 has featured a lineup of prominent DJs over the years, including DJ Enuff, Bobby Trends, and DJ Camilo.
The station is known for candid, in-depth interviews with major artists, including figures like Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar.
Hot 97 began streaming its broadcasts online in the early 2000s, expanding its reach to listeners well beyond the New York metro area.
The station offers a mobile app that lets fans stream live broadcasts, podcasts, and exclusive video content.
Hot 97 regularly participates in community initiatives, including charity concerts and events supporting local artists.
Hot 97's history includes several high-profile on-air controversies and personnel shakeups that have made national entertainment news.
The station's slogan has evolved over time, at one point promoted as "Where Hip-Hop Lives" and more recently branded around being New York's home for hip-hop and R&B.
Hot 97 maintains an active social media presence on platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, sharing exclusive interviews and news.
Hot 97 was owned by Emmis Communications for decades but was sold to Mediaco Holdings, an affiliate of Standard General, in a deal that closed in November 2019; Emmis has continued to manage the station under a shared services agreement.
Hot 97's influence extends beyond music, with its DJs and personalities helping shape hip-hop slang, fashion trends, and broader pop culture moments.
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