Mainstream Urban

Mainstream Urban, a term used to describe a radio format similar to an urban contemporary format. The format differentiates itself due to 2 factors: playlist composition and target demo. The majority of

Mainstream Urban, a term used to describe a radio format similar to an urban contemporary format. The format differentiates itself due to 2 factors: playlist composition and target demo. The majority of the stations cater to younger listeners; they tend to have a more hip-hop-heavy playlist compared to the R&B-heavy playlist that is very common among Urban Contemporary-formatted radio stations. Also Mainstream Urbans tend to target both genders with its playlist compared to Urban Contemporary station that tend to target mainly females. The term 'mainstream urban' was coined in the mid-1990's when radio stations started featuring primarily different styles of current hip-hop, R&B, and rap when it became very popular. The target demographic of the format is usually the 18- to 34-years-old males and females who happened to grow up on hip-hop and R&B, but some stations may have a demographic as young as 12-years-old.

The format features various styles of hip-hop, rap, and R&B from different regions of the country that are popular at the moment. However, the format does features numerous throwback and classic hip-hop and R&B from the late 1980s and 1990s.