Rocky Mountain Public Media will launch Indie Hip Hop “104.7 The Drop” on K284CI Denver on Monday, February 15.
The launch brings the programming that launched on 89.3 KUVO-HD2 in June 2019 to analog listeners across the city. RMPM acquired K284CI from 4-Ks LLLP in October 2020 for $680,000.
Branded as “The People’s Station”, KUVO-HD2 launched as one of four stations to receive Corporation For Public Broadcasting grants for the development of “Urban Alternative” programming featuring a mix of Hip Hop, R&B, Urban, Soul, Rap and local music along with stations in Chicago, Houston and Norfolk. The 250 watt translator covers all of Denver and its surrounding suburbs and due to its transmitter location on Lookout Mountain overperforms its contours throughout much of Aurora as well.
Until the end of 2020, K284CI served as the FM signal for “Mile High Sports Radio” rebroadcasting 1340 KDCO Denver under LMA to Nate Lundy’s Flying Penguin Productions.
R&B and Hip-Hop station THE DROP begins broadcasting on its brand-new dial position, 104.7 FM, on February, 15 2021.
Now Coloradans searching for old school crate classics, new vibe music and Colorado’s hottest independent artists can tune their radios to 104.7 FM from their homes, cars and smart devices.
Complementing THE DROP’s existing HD2 live stream and THE DROP APP, this additional high-fidelity form of access provided by the permanent 104.7 FM radio position further affirms the station’s mission to increase grassroots engagement that resonates with communities often underserved by traditional media outlets.
With its distinctive and unique sound, 104.7 THE DROP continues to build a commercial free media movement that reflects the tastes of a young, multicultural audience across the Centennial state. THE DROP debuted in June 2019 as one of the country’s first public media urban alternative radio stations with a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
Already garnering accolades such as Westword magazine’s “Best New Radio Station of 2020”, the community continues to show support and appreciation for THE DROP 104.7’s organic and relaxed nature. Suggestions, taken directly from listeners via social media and the station text line at 303.893.DROP, frame the music mix and content of the shows hosted by DJ Dif’Rent, Amerykah Jones, Unique, DJ Bella Scratch, Maleman and weekend hosts, DJ Cavem and PK.
Nikki Swarn, THE DROP’s general manager and program director, says, “This station has always been about the people. From our name to how we engage with our listeners, it’s all about our Colorado community. Without this local support our 104.7 FM signal wouldn’t be as impactful. This is such a special time for public media especially here in Colorado. We owe a huge thanks to our community, our listeners and our partners for helping make this possible.”
THE DROP also continues to play a pivotal role in Rocky Mountain Public Media’s commitment to expand and extend the relevance of public media to new and more diverse communities across Colorado.
“104.7 THE DROP is so much more than a radio station,” Swarn continued, “We are truly a lifestyle brand. The station provides a place in the media landscape for a variety of musical genres and reinforces a sense of community for a diverse listenership. Listeners can DROP into the music, cultural issues and community resources in one place. It’s a movement built by and for the people of Colorado.”
“We are thrilled to make an investment in acquiring the 104.7 FM radio home for THE DROP,” said Amanda Mountain, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Public Media. “The format of this radio station plays a critical role in shaping the public media of the future and in creating a Colorado where everyone is seen and heard.” Local funding partners for the purchase of the FM translator include the Gates Family Foundation, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, and a single anonymous donor, whose support created an opportunity for the station to expand its footprint beyond a digital signal alone. “We could not be happier to support Nikki and her team, and Rocky Mountain Public Media in expanding the reach of THE DROP,” said Thomas Gougeon, Gates Family Foundation president. “We see so much potential for 104.7 THE DROP, not only as a source for great and relevant music, but also a vehicle with unlimited potential to raise up local artists, local voices, and to reach deeper and engage the local community in the issues of our times.”
“At the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation we felt this was an exciting opportunity to help support the effort to provide THE DROP with a 104.7 FM signal, allowing it to reach an exponentially greater audience,” said Gary Steuer, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation president and CEO.
For more information about THE DROP 104.7 FM and THE DROP app, please visit THE DROP website or on all things social @thedrop303.
