If you could be sure of anything in this world, it was that Funkmaster Flex would be on Hot 97, dropping “bombs” and new music, just as he has for decades.
Now that long tenure is over.
At least … at 7 p.m.?
Flex announced Thursday that he would soon be hosting his last radio show in his usual time slot.
But the tone and wording of his announcement led many to believe that meant he would be leaving Hot 97 altogether.
The DJ and radio personality shared the news using his typical all-caps delivery — a fitting mirror to his iconic on-air voice.
“THIS MONDAY LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 1ST WITH BE MY LAST SHOW ON HOT97 AT 7PM!” he said in an Instagram post (see below).
“ALL 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!”
Later, TMZ reported that Flex would simply be switching his 7 p.m. time slot on the radio station to 5 p.m. through 10 p.m. after Labor Day.
Flex, 58, a Bronx native born Aston Taylor Jr., has been on Hot 97 for more than 30 years.
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.
His signature move of “dropping bombs” signifies the arrival of new or hot music through explosive sound clips — the more bombs, the hotter the song.
“My next move will shock you!” he said in the comments of his post, where many believed his message meant he was leaving Hot 97.
The notion that Flex would be leaving came as a shock to listeners and many of the hip-hop stars whose music he has championed over the years.
“I can’t even process this,” rapper 50 Cent said on Instagram, responding to the news. “wtf does this mean for New York music (?) now you can say what ever you want but Funk Flex been #1 since I can remember.”
“We’re doomed,” Jadakiss said, replying to 50.
Swizz Beatz: “Factssssssssssssssssssss.”
“Dammmmmmmm one the greatest to ever do it,” Timbaland said. “Broke alot records.”
Flex started DJing in clubs when he was 16. He first got his own show on Hot 97 — WQHT — in 1992 after getting his start in radio at Kiss FM (WRKS, 98.7), then WBLS (107.5). It was Hot 97’s first show dedicated to hip-hop.
Later in the ’90s, he headed up The Flip Squad, a group of high-profile New York DJs like Mister Cee, DJ Enuff, Cipha Sounds and Mark Ronson.
Flex is also a founding member of the LitDigitalDJs crew — other members are DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz, DJ Vashtie and DJ Mustard.
Flex’s albums include “The Mix Tape” (1995), “The Mix Tape II” (1997) and “The Mix Tape III” (1998), as well as “The Flip Squad All-Star DJs,” released in 1998, and “The Tunnel” (featuring Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Nas, Method Man, DMX, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem), released in 1999, followed by “The Mixtape IV” (2000) and “Car Show Tour” (2005).
Flex is also known for his association with custom car culture and car shows.
He hosted TV series like “Ride with Funkmaster Flex” and “Fast Machines with Funkmaster Flex” on the Spike network; and ESPN’s “All Muscle with Funkmaster Flex” and “Car Wars with Funkmaster Flex,” along with “Funk Flex Full Throttle” on MTV.
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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.
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