Funk Flex Blasts His Former PDs in Wake of the Death of Radio Programmer Steve Smith

Funk Flex Calls Steve Smith the Second Best Black Radio Programmer Ever

- Next to Frankie Crocker

Radio programmer Steve Smith died unexpectedly last week (July 7) at the age of 62. Smith was well known for his bi-coastal work as the Program Director for Emmis Broadcasting stations Hot 97 (WQHT-FM) 98.7 Kiss FM (WRKS-FM) in New York and Power 106 (KPWR-FM) in Los Angeles. At the time Big Boy's Neighborhood was on air in L.A., Ed Lover, Star and Buc Wild, Miss Jones were on Hot, while Kiss featured Isaac Hayes as a morning host. He launched Summer Jam in the 90's at Hot 97 and had many other major accomplishments in his 40 year career.

A Statement From The Family Of Steve Smith read: “The industry is mourning the devastating loss of veteran programmer and broadcast executive Steve Smith. Steve unexpectedly passed away peacefully at home, in his sleep, on July 7th, 2022. Steve’s highly successful career spanned 40 years and has broken countless records, won countless awards, and has irrevocably changed the landscape of American radio for the better. Details regarding the celebration of his life will be forthcoming.”

Memorial services for Steve Smith will be held Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 11am at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2011 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297. Flowers are welcome, as are donations in Steve’s name to Musicians On Call. For information or questions call 480-935-5858.

Now for the Funk Flex comments that slammed his former bosses at Hot 97. Flex posted the following on Instagram. AND HIS COMMENTS WERE IN ALL CAPS...

R.I.P TO THE 2ND MOST IMPORTANT MAN IN BLACK RADIO NEXT TO FRANKIE CROOKER… #RipSTEVESMITH

STEVE SMITH… ALONG WITH JUDY ELLIS, JOELSALKOWITZ , BUGSY AND TRACY CLOHERTY SINGLE HANDEDLY PUT TOGETHER THE 24HOUR HIP HOP FORMAT WITH HOT97!

STEVE SMITH PUT ME ON EVERYDAY, HE PUT ON RED ALERT 5PM EVERYDAY, ED LOVER DR DRE IN MORNINGS, MISS JONES, MONIE LOVE, ANGIE MARTINEZ BIG DENNIS, MARLEY MARL, MISTER MAGIC, PETE ROCK, STEPH LOVA AND SO MANY OTHERS! BY THE WAY HE ALSO CREATED SUMMER JAM! ( ALWAYS ASKED ME AND BUGSY FOR OUR OPINION ) 🥲

CHUCK CHILLOUT, RED ALERT AND BUGSY HELPED ME WHEN I HAD NOTHING AND WAS DOWN AND OUT!

MY OWN PEOPLE OF COLOR NOT ONLY NEVER GAVE ALOT OF US A SHOT BUT WOULD FIRE US ANY CHANCE THEY GOT!

STEVE HEGWOOD DISSED ME AND STEVE SMITH SEVERAL TIMES TO OUR FACE! (HEGWOOD HATED HOP HOP!

URBAN STATIONS CALLED HOT97 A “PLANTATION STATION” AND STEVE SMITH A SLAVE OWNERS! (I NEVER FORGOT)

MIKE LOVE COULDNT WAIT TO FIRE ME IN 1990 AT WBLS!

BARRY MAYO MADE IT HIS MISSION TO FIRE STAR/BUCKWILD, MADE TRACY CHLORETY RESIGN, TRIED TO FIRE BUGSY AND TRIED TO FIRE ME! “OUR BROTHER”

JAY DIXON STRIPED MR CEE OF HIS MIXSHOW TITLE (FOR NO REASON) AND BEGAN MAKING CEE UNCOMFORTABLE HERE!

“URBAN” PDS / DJS / CONSULTANTS TAKING MONEY FOR AFRO BEAT SHOWS!

(DONT PLAY WITH ME MOVING FORWARD) I’m fed up!

TONY GRAY, BARRY MAYO AND ALL THERE GOOFY UNDERLINGS LOVE TO TAKE OVER URBAN ADULT STATIONS IN NY, FIRE AND DEMOTE NEW YORK TALENT FOR OUT OF STATE TALENT! (THINK WE DONT SEE YOU)

MY OWN “PEOPLE OF COLOR” HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE ONES TO HOLD US/ME BACK!

PIO THE ONLY PD TO GIVE ME A MANAGEMENT POSITION IN MY LIFE! WHILE OTHER PDS “MY PEOPLE OF COLOR” ALWAYS TRIED TO REDUCE ME! ( WHILE OTHER PD’s MADE SURE TO REMIND WHAT I “WASNT GOOD AT”

STEVE SMITH REST EASY! WE LOVE YOU AND ADORE U! YOU GAVE US LIFE! WHILE OUR IDOLS PUT A KNIFE IN OUR BACK!

TOP 10 WORLDS GREATEST PD’S EVER IN ORDER!

FRANKIE CROCKER

STEVE SMITH

CADDILAC JACK

PIO FERRO

BUGSY

TRACY CHLORETY

VINNY BROWN

EBRO

DAN HUNT

DEON LEVINGSTON