PDX Radio: The Ultimate Platform for Independent Hip Hop & R&B

Pretty Dope Xperience: the origin story

4/1/2025

Since 2019, Pretty Dope Xperience
has been a platform for independent hip hop and R&B artists where their music can shine without the usual industry hurdles and barriers.

and When it comes to independent music, few individuals exhibit the same passion, dedication, and influence as pdx radio Founder rappy dooski

As a talented dj, producer, hip hop artist, and entrepreneur with a pro music college degree, Rappy has dedicated his career to uplifting and providing a platform where talented independent artists can thrive

PDX Radio has since become a vital hub for rising musicians, offering exposure both locally and globally, along with networking opportunities, career development.

from a podcast plan to
a powerhouse platform

IN 2018, Rappy Dooski aka
dj Rappy On The Beat and friend dj BSlapn' had PLANs TO launch a podcast that FOCUSED ON INDEPENDENT ARTISTS.
but, when their opportunity to join an existing show fell thrU
(shoutout to whoever THAT was?!)
Rappy utilized it as motivation to build something even bigger and better
of his own.

RAPPY DOOSKI & DJ BSLAPN

Already knowing the potential of online streaming,
he did a little research and realized that
building his own platform was not only FEASIBLE
but it would offer a lot more opportunities
than just a podcast alone

he pitched the idea to DJ BSlapn,
explaining the startup costs and process.
DJ Bslapn believed in the vision and contributed
to launching the project.

soon after,
Hip Hop social worker
coined the name
“Pretty Dope Xperience,”
inspired by the Portland 'International airport acronym, PDX.

Jan. 1, 2019 - PDX Radio is born

The ultimate goal was always to support independent musicians by providing radio airplay and digital promotion
without the bureaucracy of mainstream media gatekeepers.
but learning how to reach that goal would take some time...

The early days involved building the music library,
engaging independent artists, and leveraging social media for exposure.

growing viral
Growth was steady during the first year, until a substantial growth spurt occured in 2020. the COV19 pandemic shut down the world, live performances were canceled, and artists lost their main source of exposure in an instant. PDX Radio became a critical digital space for independent hip-hop and R&B artists to reach their audience

with venues closed, artists needed alternative ways to promote their music, and PDX Radio provided that solution through consistent airplay and social media engagement.

This period marked a massive surge in listenership
and artist submissions,
solidifying the platform’s
role in the independent
music industry.

hear it from the G.o.a.t.s!
in 2022 PDX Radio earned major endorsements from hip-hop legends like
Redman, Afroman, Styles P, and Ras Kass.

These co-signs validated the platform’s impact, expanding its reach even further by 2023. Independent artists from across the U.S. were submitting music, eager to be featured on a station that truly valued their craft.

Overcoming Challenges

while Running a radio platform can be a lot of fun,
like most things, it comes with plenty of challenges too.

THE ORIGINAL PDX RADIO SQUAD

The few other original members all had day jobs and families, making it difficult to dedicate full-time effort without any financial support in return. Over time they became less active

gone too soon

Another major challenge was the unexpected and sudden loss of original founding member
Khalid Al-Hassan

KHALID AL-HASSAN

khalid was a crucial early contributor who set up the original website and secured the domain name getpdxradio.com.
His expertise allowed PDX Radio to stream music 24/7, making it accessible to artists and listeners worldwide.

Sadly, Khalid passed away
in August of 2023,
this was a deeply heartbreaking loss for all who knew him,
including the PDX Radio team.
His contributions will always remain a vital part of the platform’s foundation and legacy.

read more about khalid here

During this time, Alyssa began to take on managing the business and digital strategy aspects of PDX Radio full-time, While Rappy got his focus back on making music and networking,
she started by revamping the website, optimizing scheduled programs, and implementing marketing strategies that drastically enhanced the platforms visibility and audience engagement.

Her knowledge and skills in web design, business law, and digital marketing
played a key role in establishing PDX Radio as
a professional, independent artist-focused platform.

then there's the technical and operational challenges.
Upgrading streaming capabilities, enhancing website functionality, and maintaining quality content are a NECESSITY and
all require constant time, effort and fund$

IMPLEMENTING better quality streaming equipment,
establishing a digital strategy and overall content management
helped PDX Radio remain a seamless and engaging experience
for artists and listeners alike.

#supportland

To further support artists in 2024,
PDX Radio introduced:

The PDX Radio Charts

A transparent airplay ranking system, 100% based on listner requests, giving artists more control and ability to track their performance progress.

New Music Monday
New Music Monday is a weekly feature on PDX Radio's "Pretty Dope Xperience" platform, dedicated to
showcasing the latest tracks from
independent Hip Hop and R&B artists.

Hosted by DJ Rappy On The Beat, this program provides a platform for emerging talents to debut and promote their music, while offering listeners fresh, authentic sounds beyond the mainstream.

and in 2025 introduced:

50 States of Dope
– A year-long, nationwide
spotlight series featuring the top independent hip-hop and R&B artists monday-friday from a DIFFERENT U.S. state each week, all of 2025.

Exclusive Interviews – Conversations with artists, producers, and industry professionals, offering listeners insight into the
independent music scene.

plus merchandise, events, sponsorships, partnerships, and more, to sustain and grow the platform and benefit the local music community.

The Future of PDX Radio
What began as a passion project evolved into a respected digital media platform for independent artists worldwide.

Looking ahead, PDX Radio aims to Increase artist support with educational workshops, marketing guides, and business resources.
plans to Expand digital partnerships with music licensing organizations and distribution platforms, ensuring artists receive proper exposure and compensation are already in the works along with Hosting more live events and showcases, giving independent artists a solid, consistent platform to perform and network.

tell a friend
to tell a friend
Pretty Dope Xperience is
more than just another online music station
—it’s a movement empowering independent artists.
Through innovation,
resilience, and a commitment to the culture,
Rappy Dooski &
Alyssa McPherson
have built a powerhouse platform that
continues to break barriers in independent music.
From its humble beginning in 2019 to becoming
a nationally recognized platform,
PDX Radio remains dedicated to its mission:
giving talented independent artists
the spotlight they deserve!

for everything pdxradio visit us at

getpdxradio.com