Twin Cities Radio: More HipHop Coming On 95.3

KNOF Go 95.3 FM, a new Twin Cities radio station focused on contemporary hip-hop, is set to go live Tuesday.

An extension of Go 96.3 FM — the station unveiled last year to focus on modern alternative, Twin games — Go 95.3 will be the first of its kind since B96 went pop in 2010. Go 96.3, news aggregator BringMeTheNews, and Go 95.3 fall under the Go Media banner of Pohlad Cos.

Peter Parker

According to citypages.com, Go 95.3 will tout an all-rap playlist that focuses simultaneously on a hit-driven rhythmic radio format (i.e. Drake, The Weeknd, Rihanna, Rick Ross, etc) and an indie/local angle (including national indie acts like Vince Staples, Action Bronson, and Chance the Rapper, plus Twin Cities acts like Atmosphere and Allan Kingdom).

Christian station Praise FM currently holds the 95.3 frequency.

In the past 12 months, three all-rap radio stations launched in a market suffering from a dearth of hip-hop on the airwaves. Go 95.3 distinguishes itself by spotlighting music released in the last decade, while 105 the Vibe and Hot 102.5 spin throwback rap/R&B hits. But the strongest sign of the station's potential for longevity is the involvement of the chief music director, Peter Parker.

KNOF 95.3 FM (900 Watts) Red-Local Coverage

Parker, who was known for integrating interviews and freestyles with local hip-hop legends like Brother Ali and Doomtree while DJ'ing for B96, recently returned to the Twin Cities to help build Go 95.3's playlist. Having worked in D.C. and Cleveland after B96 changed formats, he will se serve as music director as well as drive-time DJ at the new station, which launches 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Read More Now