Tempers are running high at Hot97, Page Six hears.
We hear the famed rap station is preparing to announce a number of changes to its schedule, including a move that will see hip hop legend Funkmaster Flex move into the plum spot currently occupied by beloved host Nessa, while she will shift into his late time slot.
Sources say she’s “very upset” about it — and many network insiders are siding with her.
They say that while Flex may be an industry superstar who helped the network become the hip hop powerhouse it is today, Nessa has done more than enough to each the respect of network bosses.
“Hot97 executives didn’t even respect her enough to call her directly about the changes, but informed her team of the change, leaving Nessa feeling blindsided,” said one pal of the host.
Her show “Nessa on Air” became nationally syndicated in 2015, and according to Hot97 she is now the number one rap host among the coveted 18-34 age group.
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“She views it as a step back in her career,” said the insider. “Funkmaster Flex is the face of Hot 97 and has been an influential force within the hip hop community for over three decades. So he will always take precedence when it comes the time slots.”
“Nessa has accomplished a lot [broadcasting] so to move her to nights is not only disrespectful but it would totally interrupt spending time with her child,” said an insider, “She is really upset about the time switch and is looking into ways to keeping her schedule as is after all it is what she signed up for.”
Reps for Hot97 and Funkmaster Flex didn’t respond to our request for comment.