Funkmaster Flex to move from Hot 97's 7 p.m. slot to 5-10 p.m. drive

Funkmaster Flex announced on social media Thursday that his Labor Day broadcast at 7 p.m. will be his last show in that longheld timeslot on New York City’s Hot 97, touching off a flurry of speculation that the veteran DJ was retiring or leaving the station. Reports since then indicate the move is a schedule change: Flex is expected to shift to an earlier drive time, airing from roughly 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. after Labor Day, while Hot 97’s weekday lineup will undergo several other adjustments.

“THIS MONDAY LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 1ST WILL BE MY LAST SHOW ON HOT97 AT 7PM! ALL THINGS COME TO AN END! END OF AN ERA THAT I ENJOYED VERY MUCH!” Flex wrote in the allcaps post that sparked the reaction. He added that he “will make the last show a great one” and thanked supporters. Some accounts briefly suggested the date was Sept. 3, but the DJ’s own message named Sept. 1.

Fans and fellow artists responded with surprise and tributes. Artists including 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and Missy Elliott weighed in on social media, praising Flex’s influence and legacy. Many users interpreted the post as a farewell from Hot 97, while others urged listeners to expect a final signature moment...