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Just About Music Television (commonly known as "JAMtv") is an American urban hip hop and R&B music video television program that premiered on May 8, 2004 on The CW Network locally on WTLF serving north Florida and southern Georgia, providing entertainment and community programming to over 300,000 households in the region.(1) The format of JAMtv featured national and local music artist and popular urban music videos. JAMtv was used as a promotion tool by artist and musicians to showcase and promote their newest works to target the show's urban demographic.

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During the original run of the program, JAMtv interviewed artist and  musicians primarily from the southern states and played their music videos. The show generally aired on Friday and Saturday for one hour, though the scheduling and length of the show fluctuated over the years. JAMtv was recorded during live events, but many episodes were prerecorded. It was one of the local network's highest-rated urban show throughout its run.

Due to the larger decline of music-based television in favor of online services, the creators announced the cancellation of JAMtv on September 1, 2007 during 4th season opener.  A two-hour finale episode aired on December 28, 2007.

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::Location and History::​

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The show was originally produced in Tallahassee, Florida and the title of the show was derived from three guys working at an urban contemporary music format radio station with a "Hot 105.7" branding and call sign WVHT of Wilson Broadcasting, Inc located at the corner of Park Ave and Magnolia Drive.(2)  In 2004, WVHT was acquired by WFRF-FM(3) and that prompted  three of its employees to team up and create JAMtv.(4)

::Creators and Producers::

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Larry Dunlap, professionally known as DJ Dap, began his musical journey as a member of the legendary Marching 100 at Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he marched from 1991 to 1993. His final performance with the band was the historic President Bill Clinton Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.  After leaving the band, DJ Dap transitioned into broadcasting, securing a 4:00–7:00 p.m. evening on-air personality slot at FAMU’s college radio station, WAMF 90.5 FM. His success and strong ratings at the collegiate level quickly drew the attention of Wilson Broadcasting, an independent radio company launching a new urban station, WVHT.  DJ Dap was hired as the station’s evening drive on-air personality, where he interviewed major music artists and toured the region as the station’s signature “HotBoy”.(4) Following the sale of the station in 2004, DJ Dap went on to become one of the creators of JAMtv, continuing his impact on music and media.

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James L. Shade, professionally known as J.L. Shade, discovered his passion for media while still in high school and he never looked back. Immediately after graduation, he broke into radio as an Image Producer for Hot 105.7 and a Board Operator for the nationally syndicated Doug Banks Morning Show at WVHT, learning the industry from the inside out.  J.L. Shade quickly leveled up, transitioning into a 7:00–10:00 p.m. evening on-air personality, where his voice, presence, and charisma made him a staple of nighttime radio. Beyond the studio, he became one of the station’s signature “HotBoys,” hosting live events and representing the brand across the broadcast region.(5)  Armed with a degree in Digital Media and fueled by the closure of WVHT, J.L. Shade pivoted radio and emerged as a creator and director of JAMtv, helping build a platform that blended music, culture, and visual storytelling, and cemented his role as a force in multimedia entertainment.  J.L. Shade is also the brother of Akeem Lawal, also known as AK Tha Razorman, a rapper and member of the Atlanta-based hip-hop group P$C (Pimp Squad Click), formed in 2001.

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Marco Molient, professionally known as Mr. Mall, was recruited to Florida A&M University (FAMU) as both a student-athlete in the football program and a student in the School of Business, where he developed a foundation in leadership, discipline, and strategic thinking.(6) Following graduation, Marco established himself as a successful business professional and event promoter, coordinating and managing events throughout the state of Florida.

His proven business acumen led to his appointment as Sales Manager at Wilson Broadcasting, where he played a key role in driving advertising revenue, cultivating client relationships, and supporting station growth. After the closure of WVHT, Marco leveraged his experience in media and business development to become a creator of JAMtv, contributing to the development of a multimedia platform focused on music, culture, and community engagement.

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::Hosts::

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DJ Dap (2004–2006), creator and radio on-air personality

Brook England (2007), School of Journalism - FAMU

Danielle Bass (also known as "Dani") (2007) School of Journalism - FAMU

Antonio Henderson (also known as "Crazy-T") (2007) radio on-air personality

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​::Notable Affiliations and Contributions::

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T-Pain (Faheem Rashad Najm), then a rising talent from Tallahassee, Florida and a member of the rap group Nappy Headz, linked up with the producers of JAMtv at a pivotal moment in his independent grind. Through JAMtv, T-Pain gained a platform to showcase his raw sound, original music, and early mixtapes to a wider audience hungry for something new.  In 2004, he released his debut mixtape, "Back At It", followed by the breakout underground record “I’m Fucked Up,” a bold reinterpretation of Akon’s hit “Locked Up.” The track quickly gained traction and became a defining moment in T-Pain’s early buzz.  That momentum led to a turning point: during a JAMtv event and recording in Tallahassee, JAMtv producers introduced T-Pain to Abou Thiam, known as Bu, Akon’s brother and close collaborator. Bu brought T-Pain’s music directly to Akon and the reaction was immediate. Recognizing the star power, Akon offered T-Pain a deal on the spot, signing him to Konvict Muzik and launching one of the most influential careers in modern hip-hop and R&B.(8)

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Tay Dizm (Artavious Courtez Smith), a relative of JAMtv creator Marco Molinet, made a decisive move to Tallahassee, Florida, where his path collided with a rising star named T-Pain. What began as an introduction quickly turned into a career-defining opportunity Smith became T-Pain’s hypeman, stepping into the spotlight as the energy behind one of the most electric live shows of the era.  Adopting the stage name Tay Dizm, Smith transitioned from the stage to the studio, delivering guest performances across T-Pain’s first three albums and establishing himself as a consistent presence in the Nappy Boy movement. His momentum peaked when he became the first artist signed to release an album under Nappy Boy Digital, marking a major milestone for both artist and label. Tay Dizm’s reach extended well beyond the Nappy Boy camp. He appeared on "Who the Fuck Is That?" by Dolla and "She Got It" by 2 Pistols, both of which landed on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Singles of 2008.On August 19, 2008, Tay Dizm launched his breakout debut single, “Beam Me Up,” featuring T-Pain and Rick Ross, released digitally through Nappy Boy Digital. With little to no promotion, the track sold 4,000 downloads almost immediately, according to Nielsen SoundScan cementing Tay Dizm as more than a supporting act, but a breakout artist in his own right.(9)​​

References:

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​1. https://grokipedia.com/page/wtlf#wtlf

​2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WFRF-FM

3. https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/fm-profile/WFRF-FM/ownership-reports

4. https://www.djdap.com/bio

5. https://www.scribd.com/document/62743478/Ozone-Mag-49-Sep-2006

6. https://floridafilmhouse.net/about-florida-film-house/

7. https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName (JAMtv, LLC)

8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Pain

9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay_Dizm