At 11:59 p.m. every Friday night to 6 a.m. on Saturday, when much of Harlem is asleep, WHCR 90.3 turns up the house music for those who believe the night is young. For six hours straight, Tina Dixon and DJ Black Icon1, also known as Abayomi Babatunde, keep music alive, bringing soulful house, late-night hits, and “Cuddlehouse” to listeners in Harlem and around the world.
House in Harlem, a six-hour nonstop radio show run by WHCR, “The Voice of Harlem 90.3,” has been thriving for 13 years. Located in room 1/513 at City College, and hosted by Dixon, 59, Babatunde, 60, and a recent addition to the team, ND Houseparty, the Friday night to early Saturday morning show creates a space where house music and community meet. Initially started by DJ Vince the Prince, Dixon and Babatunde have continued the show while bringing their own experiences and love for music to the show.
“For me, house music is a feeling. It’s the epitome of love. It transcends race, sexual orientation, and religion; none of that matters in house music. It gives me what I would expect the gospel to give me,” said Dixon, who is also the production manager at WHCR.
Dixon grew up in Queens, and later moved to Harlem as an adult. Currently residing in Georgia, she attended Beach Channel High School in Far Rockaway while traveling to Harlem for the Talent Unlimited program and All City Choir at Julia Richman High School. Her passion for music was always there.
After failing a class and being told by the school that she would have to postpone her graduation by six months, Dixon decided to attend GED school while interning at the NAACP. After attending Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) for one semester and not enjoying it, she entered the workforce at the New York Design Center before eventually transitioning into gospel radio at WHCR.
“I come from a strong Baptist background; that’s how I got into gospel radio. But 13 years ago, after an open-heart surgery, my boss told me I couldn’t stay up all night doing both gospel and house music shows. I had to pick one, and I chose house music because I wanted to be where that energy was,” Dixon shared.
For Babatunde, his path to radio wasn’t always linear either. Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, Babatunde describes growing up in his household as “very musical.” A graduate of Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx and a City College alumni, he never envisioned a career as a DJ straight out of college. But the passion was always there.
“I started working for the City of New York, you know, so I was doing that, and along the way, like I said, I’m hip hop. So, I started DJing as a hobby.” After realizing that he could turn his passion into a full-time job, Babatunde began getting into radio.
“When people ask me who I am, I say, ‘I am hip hop.’” Babatunde started out at WHCR on The Third Dimension at Dust before eventually meeting Dixon and being brought on as a co-host for House in Harlem. After the first couple of years producing House in Harlem, DJ Vince the Prince had to step aside. Dixon then reached out to Babatunde to assist with the show.
“I was like, ‘Icon, could you come in and help me?’ Because it’s six hours, and we’ve been, you know, 13 years, we’ve been going strong, and I just don’t see it ending anytime soon,” Dixon said.
For 13 years, House in Harlem has remained a space for listeners to experience different styles of house music, whether Dixon and Babatunde are broadcasting from the studio or working remotely from home.
“We play a lot of different styles, but the majority of what we play for House in Harlem is soulful house music. Whether it’s late-night grooves, techno, or what we call ‘Cuddlehouse,’ music that makes you want to dance with a significant other. Our goal is to soothe people or get them up on the dance floor,” Babatunde shared.
The show’s connection to the community extends beyond the music. Dixon said listeners regularly call in, reach out through social media, and even stop by the station.
“The phone light is always flashing, social media DMs are constant, and local artists like Aaron Prince walk right into the studio to share their new music,” Dixon said.
That community connection has also allowed House in Harlem to reach viewers and supporters beyond New York City.
“We’re bridging the gap between Harlem with one ‘A’ in New York and Haarlem with two ‘A’s over in Amsterdam by attending the Amsterdam Dance Event. We’re partnering with the Black Amsterdam Museum to host a party, panel discussion, and cultural exchange,” they shared.
For Babatunde, the show is not only about the music but also about encouraging others to pursue their own passions. “Follow your dreams and work on your skill, guarantee it won’t fail you.” Dixon has a similar message for anyone who may be afraid to pursue what they want.
“My motto is simple: ‘Oh, you scared? Do it anyway.’ Whatever it is you aspire to do, don’t wait until you’re not afraid, just do it.”
“House In Harlem” airs every Friday through Saturday 11:59 p.m. – 6 a.m. on WHCR 90.3.
