Submit Hip Hop Music for FM Radio Airplay
Get Your Music Considered for The Illest Indie Hour on 105.1 FM The Beat
Independent Hip Hop artists can submit clean, radio-ready music for consideration on The Illest Indie Hour, airing Sundays from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM on 105.1 FM The Beat in Atlantic City.
The Hip Hop Foundation of Philadelphia created this submission opportunity to help talented independent artists connect with new listeners through legitimate FM radio programming and online rebroadcasts.
Music submission is free. However, artists must register with The Hip Hop Foundation before sending their tracks. Registration helps us confirm artist information, communicate with selected artists and build a stronger network of independent creators.
Submitting music does not guarantee airplay. Every properly completed submission will be considered according to the show’s programming standards, available rotation and overall format.
Before You Submit Your Music Read Carefully!
Clean Radio Edits Only
Every submitted song must be suitable for FM radio broadcast.
Do not submit tracks containing profanity, uncensored explicit lyrics or other material that would prevent the song from being broadcast as a clean radio edit.
Submitting an explicit track with the expectation that our team will edit it will result in the track being rejected. Artists are responsible for supplying a completed clean version.
MP3 Files Are Required
Submit high-quality MP3 files only.
A professionally mixed and mastered 320 kbps MP3 is recommended. Poor-quality recordings, distorted files, unfinished mixes and inaccessible links may not be considered.
Submit No More Than Three Tracks
Artists may submit up to three songs in one submission.
Sending additional tracks does not improve the likelihood of selection. Choose the songs that best represent your current sound and professional quality.
Label Every File Correctly
Use the following filename format:
Artist Name – Song Title.mp3
Do not submit files with generic names such as:
- Track 1
- Final Mix
- New Song
- Untitled
- Audio 001
Clear filenames prevent identification errors and help the programming team properly credit artists.
Add Accurate MP3 Metadata
Whenever possible, embed the following information in every MP3 file:
- Artist name
- Song title
- Album or project title
- Release year
- Genre
- Copyright owner
The information embedded in the file must match the written track list included with your submission.
Send Downloadable Audio
YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and social media links may be included for research and supporting information, but they are not accepted as replacements for downloadable MP3 files.
The programming team must be able to download and review the actual clean radio edit.
Include Complete Artist Information
Every submission must include:
- Artist or stage name
- City and state
- Short biography
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Official website, when available
- Social media links
- Streaming-platform links
- Written track list
- Rights confirmation
Incomplete submissions may be delayed or rejected.
Clean Edited MP3 Or Wav Files Only!
Please confirm that you meet all of the following requirements:
- You have completed your free Hip Hop Foundation registration.
- Your music is Hip Hop and appropriate for The Illest Indie Hour’s programming format.
- Every submitted track is a clean radio edit.
- Your audio contains no profanity or explicit lyrics.
- You are submitting high-quality MP3 files.
- You are submitting no more than three songs.
- Each file is labeled with your artist name and song title.
- You own the music or have permission to submit and broadcast it.
- You have included your artist biography, location, contact information and promotional links.
You may include Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, Bandcamp or other streaming links as supporting information.
Streaming and YouTube links do not replace the required downloadable MP3 files.
Incomplete, explicit or unregistered submissions may not be reviewed.
How To Submit Your Music
Step 1: Register with The Hip Hop Foundation
Complete the free website registration before sending your music.
Use the same email address for your registration and your music submission. This allows our team to verify your membership and contact information.
Step 2: Prepare Your Submission Package
Your submission must include:
Artist or stage name
Provide the exact name that should be used during the broadcast and in any promotional material.
City and state
Tell us where you are based so we can properly introduce and identify you.
Short artist biography
Include a biography of approximately 75–150 words. Explain who you are, where you are from, your musical style, notable releases and any relevant accomplishments.
Up to three clean songs
Send no more than three high-quality MP3 tracks. A 320 kbps MP3 is recommended whenever available.
Track list
List every submitted song in the body of your email using this format:
Artist Name – Song Title
Website and social media
Include your official website and active social media pages, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube when available.
Streaming links
You may include Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, Bandcamp or other streaming links as supporting information.
Streaming and YouTube links do not replace the required downloadable MP3 files.
Step 3: Send Your Submission
Email your complete submission package to:
hiphop@phillyhiphopfoundation.org
Use this exact email subject format:
Music Submission – [Artist or Stage Name]
Attach your MP3 files directly to the email. If the files exceed your email provider’s attachment limit, provide a downloadable Google Drive, Dropbox or similar cloud-storage link with download access enabled.
Do not send private links that require our programming team to request access.
