AceShowbiz - Kool DJ Red Alert has announced his retirement from radio broadcasting after an impressive career spanning more than four decades. The iconic DJ shared the news on November 2, 2026, revealing plans for a special farewell show to mark the end of his radio journey.

In an Instagram post, Kool DJ Red Alert announced he will host a four-hour farewell broadcast on November 30, 2026, on New York City’s 107.5 WBLS, the station where he currently resides. This special show will serve as his final sign-off after 40 years of connecting with audiences through the airwaves.

The Harlem native reflected on his extensive career, expressing gratitude for the community and fans who have supported him throughout the decades. Though stepping away from radio, Red Alert made it clear that his passion for music remains strong. He plans to continue sharing his love of music by DJing at special events and community celebrations, emphasizing that while radio is ending, his dedication to music and entertainment will persist.

Kool DJ Red Alert turns 70 on November 27, 2026, and his career behind the turntables spans an incredible 50 years. He was a pioneering figure in the 1970s, helping to popularize mixtapes by being one of the first DJs to record mix compilation albums on cassette tapes. He credits influential DJs like Brucie Bee and Starchild for inspiring mixtape trends that followed his early work.

His radio career began in the mid-1980s at New York’s 98.7 KISS-FM, where he made history as the first mixshow DJ to bring dancehall music to mainstream radio. During the 1990s, he transitioned to Hot97, coinciding with the station’s shift to a hip-hop format. Eventually, he landed at WBLS, where he has been a staple ever since.

Red Alert played a crucial role in spreading hip-hop’s early sounds globally. Notably, he was involved in landmark events such as The Roxanne Wars and The Bridge Wars in 1984 and 1985, two of hip-hop’s earliest and most famous feuds. His influence also helped introduce groundbreaking artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, and Queen Latifah to wider audiences.

As Kool DJ Red Alert prepares to close this chapter of his career, his legacy as a hip-hop pioneer and community connector remains firmly intact. Fans and fellow artists will have the opportunity to celebrate his impact and contributions during his farewell broadcast later this month.

The announcement marks the end of an era for one of New York’s most respected and enduring radio personalities, but Red Alert's enduring passion for music ensures his presence will be felt long beyond the airwaves.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Xxlmag.