HOT 97 has come under fire after they announced the firing of longtime exec Pasquale “Paddy Duke” Raucci. Folks are up in arms the radio station was seemingly unaware of Paddy’s criminal past which allowed him to live off black culture for decades! More inside…
HOT 97 is coming under fire following the release of a documentary that told the story about the 1989 murder of Brooklyn teen, Yuself Hawkins.
On Sunday (August 23rd), the 31st anniversary of Yusef’s death, HOT 97 announced they fired exec Pasquale “Paddy Duke” Raucci, who served as commercial production director from 2003 to this month.
The radio station said they came to the decision after viewing HBO Max’s “Storm Over Brooklyn,” a documentary about Yusuf Hawkins (above), a black teenager who was murdered in 1989 by a mob of about 30 white men in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The 16-year-old’s death and the official response to it sparked outrage in New York. It got REALLY bad.
During one protest, it’s reported racists were taunting protestors, shouting “n*ggers go home” while waving watermelons.
After watching HBO's Storm over Brooklyn, HOT97 was shocked and took swift action. Paddy Duke is no longer employed by HOT97. The march for social justice continues. (Getty Images: Spencer Platt / Staff) pic.twitter.com/pDyyebjalJ
— HOT 97 (@HOT97) August 23, 2020
”After watching HBO's Storm over Brooklyn, HOT97 was shocked and took swift action. Paddy Duke is no longer employed by HOT97. The march for social justice continues,” HOT 97 tweeted.
In the documentary (directed by Muta'Ali Muhammad), Paddy Duke was accused of being a part of the mob that took Yusef’s life over 30 years ago. Paddy Duke was reportedly acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges, but was found guilty on eight lesser charges that include three counts of unlawful imprisonment, four counts of menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to 3 years probation and a $200 fine.
Just, WOW.
About 12 members of the mob were arrested and charged. Only eight were charged for crimes, including one man for murder.
Tons of folks are outraged that the longtime radio exec was involved in the high-profile crime. Not only that, the fact that he helped KILL a young, black teen, yet, benefited from black culture for so long is…baffling.
Paddy Duke of NY's #Hot97 is discovered to be one of #YusefHawkins killers after appearing in #HBO's #StormOverBrooklyn
____#paddyduke #hot97 #angiemartinez #ebrointhemorning #funkflex #emmisbroadcasting #coolermedia pic.twitter.com/2uURMnQnS9— #coolerbeatsRadio (@coolerbeatsnet) August 24, 2020
Paddy Duke (in the video above) worked for HOT 97 since 2003. Before that, he for the Angie Martinez show and filled in for DJs between December 1994 to January 2003. So, Paddy Duke has been with the radio station and its parent company – Emmis Communications – for almost 25 years and his 8 criminal charges had no effect on him nabbing two bomb radio jobs.
People are confused how the station seemingly knew nothing about Paddy’s criminal past (or knew and didn’t care) and is conveniently taking action now. Some believe the station only fired him now because of new public interest in Yusef Hawkins’ story due to the documentary.
Lifestyle blogger Marcus Troy expressed his anger and frustration with non-black people who love to benefit from black culture but hate black people.
BEING AROUND DOESNT MAKE YOU DOWN. #paddyduke So many people are around black culture, make money off black culture but secretly hate the people of the culture. This story is so crazy!
— Marcus Troy (@marcustroy) August 23, 2020
Everyone isn’t convinced HOT 97 learned of Paddy Duke’s past from the documentary. Many feel like they were well aware of his past.
This is what a slap in the face feels like! All these years of listening to #AngieMartinez on #Hot97 and hearing her talk to and mention #PaddyDuke aka #PasqualeRaucci, only to find out he killed #YusefHawkins! He was/is knee deep in our #culture #HipHop! This shit is disgusting pic.twitter.com/BjvPUXO3I1
— I Am Not a Comedian. (@IamMReverything) August 21, 2020
I saw the V.P. of Programming at the time for @Hot97 once tell an artist who confronted them about their programming say, "I don't have any responsibility to the community, The only people I have any responsibility to are OUR SHAREHOLDERS."
Y'all knew and Just didn't care. FOH
— Priest Forever (@priestforever) August 24, 2020
— Teisha (@TMillette67) August 23, 2020
Y’all full of sh** !
— Kimberly Nichole (@KimNicky) August 23, 2020
Amazing, right? All they would've needed to do was have one person in 26 years Google him, perform a background check, recognize his face, or ask what he was doing between 1989 and 1991
— Adam Schiavone (@AdamSchiavone) August 24, 2020
Earlier this month, HOT 97 radio personalities Ebro Darden, Rosenberg and Laura Stylez talked about the murder of Yusef Hawkins and the state of New York in 1989:
Ebro addressed the firing today, apologizing to fans on behalf of the station.
If you just tuned in...
Paddy Duke has been fired.Were all surprised, angry and very sad that our station had ties to this racist event 30yrs ago.
I apologize for this pain today.
— Kojo Ebro (@oldmanebro) August 24, 2020
I feel apologies are needed even when you did not mean harm. HOT97 has hurt people with this revelation...
Even when you inherit some bullshit you have to take accountability and try to rectify the issue. https://t.co/oRoncY0Pr1
— Kojo Ebro (@oldmanebro) August 24, 2020
The people that hired him no longer work here.
Since he was acquitted, given a misdemeanor and records sealed, not sure how people could have known anything else. https://t.co/GNzEQcWhMo
— Kojo Ebro (@oldmanebro) August 24, 2020
It would have been 26yrs ago.
He record was expunged and he only got charged with a misdemeanor back then.. https://t.co/V5khyieV3k— Kojo Ebro (@oldmanebro) August 24, 2020
If you haven’t already watched “Storm Over Brooklyn,” below is the trailer:
It’s currently streaming on HBO Max.
Thoughts?
Photo: II.studio/Shutterstock.com/mutaali.com
source: theybf
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