{"id":103225,"date":"2025-08-29T01:08:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T01:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/103225\/"},"modified":"2025-08-29T01:08:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T01:08:07","slug":"hip-hop-radio-legend-funkmaster-flex-leaving-hot-97-after-30-plus-years-all-things-come-to-an-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/103225\/","title":{"rendered":"Hip-hop radio legend Funkmaster Flex leaving Hot 97 after 30-plus years. \u2018All things come to an end.\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you could be sure of anything in this world, it was that Funkmaster Flex<\/a> would be on Hot 97<\/a>, dropping \u201cbombs\u201d<\/a> and new music, just as he has for decades.<\/p>\n

Now that long tenure is over.<\/p>\n

Flex announced Thursday that he would be leaving the New York radio station, his longtime home.<\/p>\n

The DJ and radio personality shared the news using his typical all-caps delivery \u2014 a fitting mirror to his iconic on-air voice. <\/p>\n

\u201cTHIS MONDAY LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 1ST WITH BE MY LAST SHOW ON HOT97 AT 7PM!\u201d he said in an Instagram post (see below).<\/p>\n

\u201cALL THINGS COME TO AN END! END OF AN ERA THAT I ENJOYED VERY MUCH! I SUPER ENJOYED IT ALL! I WILL MAKE THE LAST SHOW A GREAT ONE! APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME OVER THE YEARS!\u201d<\/p>\n

Flex, 58, a Bronx native born Aston Taylor Jr., has been on Hot 97 for more than 30 years. <\/p>\n

He can currently be heard on the station from Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight and on Friday from 10 p.m. to midnight.<\/p>\n

His signature move of \u201cdropping bombs\u201d signifies the arrival of new or hot music through explosive sound clips \u2014 the more bombs, the hotter the song. <\/p>\n

What is Flex doing after he leaves Hot 97?<\/p>\n

\u201cMy next move will shock you!\u201d he said in the comments of his post.<\/p>\n

Flex\u2019s impending exit came as a shock to listeners and many of the hip-hop stars whose music he has championed over the years. <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t even process this<\/a>,\u201d rapper 50 Cent<\/a> said on Instagram, responding to the news. \u201cwtf does this mean for New York music (?) now you can say what ever you want but Funk Flex been #1 since I can remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doomed,\u201d Jadakiss<\/a> said, replying to 50.<\/p>\n

Swizz Beatz<\/a>: \u201cFactssssssssssssssssssss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDammmmmmmm one the greatest to ever do it,\u201d Timbaland<\/a> said. \u201cBroke alot records.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flex started DJing in clubs when he was 16. He first got his own show on Hot 97 \u2014 WQHT \u2014 in 1992 after getting his start in radio at Kiss FM (WRKS, 98.7), then WBLS (107.5).<\/p>\n

Later in the \u201990s, he headed up The Flip Squad, a group of high-profile New York DJs like Mister Cee, DJ Enuff, Cipha Sounds and Mark Ronson. <\/p>\n

Flex is also a founding member of the LitDigitalDJs<\/a> crew \u2014 other members are DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz, DJ Vashtie and DJ Mustard. <\/p>\n

Flex\u2019s albums include \u201cThe Mix Tape\u201d (1995), \u201cThe Mix Tape II\u201d (1997) and \u201cThe Mix Tape III\u201d (1998), as well as \u201cThe Flip Squad All-Star DJs,\u201d released in 1998, and \u201cThe Tunnel\u201d (featuring Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Nas, Method Man, DMX, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem), released in 1999, followed by \u201cThe Mixtape IV\u201d (2000) and \u201cCar Show Tour\u201d (2005).<\/p>\n

Flex is also known for his association with custom car culture and car shows.<\/p>\n

He hosted TV series like \u201cRide with Funkmaster Flex\u201d and \u201cFast Machines with Funkmaster Flex\u201d on the Spike network; and ESPN\u2019s \u201cAll Muscle with Funkmaster Flex\u201d and \u201cCar Wars with Funkmaster Flex,\u201d along with \u201cFunk Flex Full Throttle\u201d on MTV.<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com<\/a> with a subscription.<\/p>\n

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com<\/a> and followed at @AmyKup<\/a> on Twitter\/X, @amykup.bsky.social<\/a> on Bluesky and @kupamy<\/a> on Instagram<\/a> and Threads<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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