About This Video
BMF organized a very accurate and impressive tribute to one of the greatest music industry conferences of all time, Jack the Rapper. “JACK THE RAPPER” is an iconic name, coined, developed, and made famous by the legendary radio and media pioneer Jack “The Rapper” Gibson. Jack commenced his radio career in the late 1940s at Atlanta’s WERD, the first Black-owned and operated radio station in America.
Additionally, Jack served as the inaugural National Director of Promotions and Public Relations for Motown Records. Jack The Rapper is considered to be the father of Black Radio and pioneered the style of hip on-air announcing that many hosts like Daddy O, Jocko Henderson, and Frankie Crocker helped to popularize.
In 1977, Jack launched the first Jack The Rapper Family Affair convention for th
Background & Context
There are few names as iconic as Jack ‘The Rapper’ Gibson in the radio industry. I’ve been privileged to know him personally, and his contribution to the world of music is unparalleled. The tribute by BMF accurately captures the essence of one of the greatest industry conferences, ‘Jack The Rapper’. This tribute matters because it keeps alive the legacy of a man who started at Atlanta’s WERD, the first Black-owned radio station in America, and went on to shape the face of radio and music promotion. This video recalls the work of a legendary figure who broke racial barriers and set a new standard in the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Jack ‘The Rapper’ Gibson is a legendary figure in the music industry
- BMF’s tribute accurately encapsulates his contribution
- Jack started his career at the first Black-owned radio station
- He significantly shaped the face of radio and music promotion
- The tribute keeps alive the legacy of a man who broke racial barriers
About Kevin Ross
Kevin Ross is a music and broadcast industry veteran with more than
30 years of firsthand experience spanning radio programming, on-air
talent, record promotion, voice work, publishing, and digital media.
He has worked every side of the business — from the air studio to
the boardroom — and built one of the longest-running digital platforms
dedicated to Black radio and music industry coverage.
30 Plus Years In is where that experience lives on video.
