Kevin Fleming, founder/CEO/editor-in-chief/publisher of the premier Black music and entertainment blog/newsletter, The Urban Buzz, died last Thursday (Sept. 21) in Los Angeles after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. Fleming, whose multifaceted career included tenures as a radio programmer and consultant as well as senior-level label executive, was 65 years old.
In paying tribute to Fleming, Rick Nuhn — host of the nationally syndicated program Top 10 Now & Then and the family’s spokesman — tells Billboard, “It’s rare that a PD and air talent become 38-year friends, but that is what happened. I was on the air in Phoenix when a few friends from the record business recommended me to Kevin, who was the new PD at legendary KGFJ in Los Angeles. Long story short, I was hired in 1985 to be the morning man in market No. 2. The doors that opened and the opportunities that I was presented with enabled my career to go in many directions — all thanks to Kevin. Words will never be enough to say how much I and my extended family will miss having Kevin by our side.”
“Look up ‘good dude’ in the dictionary and there will be a picture of Kevin Fleming,” adds longtime friend Herb Trawick, president of Fab Entertainment. “Smart, musical, big heart, goofy and a proud dad; loved by all and for good reason. My guy always.”
A Minneapolis native, Fleming was born on March 28, 1958. Graduating from HBCU Clark Atlanta University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast management and communications in 1981, he initially worked at Atlanta radio stations WAOK & WIGO and Sumter, South Carolina’s WWDM. Fleming then landed his first major market gig as PD of L.A.’s aforementioned KGFJ in 1984.
Five years later, Fleming segued to the label side of the industry as vp of Black music at Island Records. Following a two-year tenure as vp/GM of Perspective Records, owned by legendary production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Fleming returned to his radio roots in 1993 as operations manager/PD of Los Angeles outlets KACE & KRTO. During his seven-year tenure there, he also began working as a radio consultant in the areas of programming and overall operations.
It was after serving as Gavin Magazine’s urban radio editor for two years that Fleming launched The Urban Buzz weekly information newsletter and website in 2002, which targeted urban radio, music and entertainment professionals. In addition to being hired to program Radio One’s flagship L.A. station KKBT in 2006 and overseeing its transition to urban adult brand KRBV, Fleming rounded out his radio career with his most recent stint as PD of Pacifica Radio’s KPFK in Los Angeles between 2018-2021.
Notes veteran music executive Ken Wilson, “The industry from radio to records has suffered a big loss. Kevin and I shared many fun as well as teaching moments. Rest well, my great friend!”
Fleming is survived by his wife Maria and son Dylan, parents Cynthia Tyner and Gerald Fleming, sisters Stephanie Fleming, Karen Matthews and Alycia Rivera and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Donations can be made to Fleming’s GoFundMe account at https://gofund.me/e20783bc.
