Hot 107.9 and Majic 95 drop Chris Brown

Local radio station WJFX-FM 107.9 pulled hip-hop artist Chris Brown’s music from the airwaves Wednesday pending the outcome of domestic abuse charges filed against him.

The decision was made after the station’s morning show, during which dozens of listeners called to complain about Brown, Program Director Phil Becker said.

“We got the input of the actual audience,” Becker said. “And we found the audience is saying the same thing we’re feeling in our hallways. Although they are just allegations, abuse supersedes how good your song is.”

Brown was arrested Sunday in Los Angeles and charged with making criminal threats. The 19-year-old surrendered to police, who sought Brown after a woman identified him as her attacker during a fight the night before. Although the alleged victim’s name has not been released, several media outlets including the Los Angeles Times have named Brown’s girlfriend, R & B singer Rihanna, as the victim.

Local adult contemporary station WAJI-FM 95.1 dropped Brown from its rotation Monday. Stations in Indianapolis and Cleveland have also done so.

“As soon as I heard the rumors, I yanked it,” WAJI Program Director Barb Richards said. “As a female-targeted radio station, I didn’t feel like I wanted to have his music on this station anymore.”

Both WJFX and WAJI have dropped music by artists in the past. When R. Kelly was indicted on child pornography charges in 2002, both stations opted not to play his music. Similarly, when Michael Jackson was charged with child molestation in 2003, WJFX dropped his music from its playlist.