Ex-Hot 97 executive sues radio station, claims discrimination for being told he was "too white" for the job.

A former executive at hip-hop radio station Hot 97 has come forward with a serious accusation of discrimination. According to reports from The Daily Beast, Stanley Pillman III, who is white, has filed a lawsuit against the station's parent company, MediaCo Holding, for allegedly terminating him due to his race.

Pillman, who served as the VP of digital operations at Hot 97, claims that he was wrongfully fired in March of 2025. His lawsuit states that MediaCo Holding is guilty of retaliation and discrimination, a violation of both New York State's human rights and labor laws. He also alleges that DJ Funkmaster Flex was receiving kickbacks from advertisers and when he reported this to the station, he was let go in retaliation.

Pillman's attorney, Robert Valli, stated, "We investigated and determined that there was retaliation for protected activity. In this case, it's discrimination and speaking out about what we believe to be protected activities." Pillman is seeking to be reinstated in his position, as well as compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

According to Pillman, he was summoned to a meeting with the CEO and COO/President of MediaCo Holding in January of 2023. He claims that during this meeting, CEO Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay told him that there was a feeling around the office that he didn't know anything about hip-hop and needed to listen to the station more. Pillman recalls asking, "Are you saying I'm too white for the job?" and alleges that Lindsay responded with a "yes," stating that Pillman was in the minority at the station.

Furthermore, Pillman claims that DJ Funkmaster Flex made derogatory comments about him and another white colleague, Brad Tobin, last July. He says that Flex told other employees, "the white boys are stealing from us." Pillman then reported this and allegations of kickbacks and theft of company funds to Hot 97's Human Resources department. In August, his lawyer sent a letter to MediaCo Holding, addressing Pillman's alleged workplace discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment. He was then fired on August 31, 2023. Pillman also alleges that on the same day, Flex went on air and called him a "bozo, effective immediately."

After Pillman's termination, he claims that his job was given to a Hispanic male, who was later replaced by a Black male. Tobin's contract was also not renewed, and he was replaced by a Black male. These alleged actions have led Pillman to believe that his termination was racially motivated.

This lawsuit against Hot 97 and MediaCo Holding sheds light on the issue of discrimination in the workplace and the importance of speaking out against it. Pillman's case serves as a reminder that all individuals, regardless of race, should be treated fairly and with respect in the workplace.

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