How It Works

YOUR PLATFORM. YOUR MOMENT.

The Big 816 is built for two kinds of people — artists who deserve to be heard, and listeners who are tired of the same recycled playlist. Here's how it all works.

For Artists

GET ON THE AIR — FREE

No label. No connections. No cost. If you've got music, we've got a slot for you.

Submit Your Music

Fill out the artist submission form below. Upload your tracks, drop your bio, and tell us what you're about. No auditions, no gatekeepers.

We Review Your Submission

Our team listens to every submission personally. We're looking for authenticity, not perfection. Expect a response within 48 hours.

Get Scheduled

Once approved, we schedule your free air slot and send you everything you need to know — show time, format, and how to promote your broadcast.

Go Live

Your music hits the airwaves. Real listeners, real reach, real opportunity. We promote your slot across our channels so people tune in.

What We Look For

THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS AUTHENTICITY

We don't care about follower counts or industry credits. Here's what matters to us:

Original Music

Your own tracks — no covers, no samples without clearance. We want your voice, your story.

Any Genre Welcome

Hip-hop, R&B, trap, neo-soul, spoken word — if it's real, it belongs on The Big 816.

Clean or Explicit OK

We air both clean and explicit content. Just let us know which version you're submitting.

Independent Artists Only

This platform is built for unsigned, independent artists. Major label acts need not apply — this space is for the underdogs.

Show Format

WHAT YOUR SLOT LOOKS LIKE

Slot Length

30–60 minutes

Format

Music + optional artist commentary

Frequency

Weekly recurring or one-time

Promotion

We promote every slot on social media

Cost

100% Free — always

For Listeners

DISCOVER WHAT'S NEXT

The Big 816 is your front-row seat to the next wave of hip-hop and R&B talent. No algorithms, no corporate playlists — just real music from real artists who are hungry to be heard.

Free to Listen

No subscription, no paywall. Tune in from any device, anytime.

Live & On-Demand

Catch artists live during their scheduled slot or listen back to past broadcasts.

Discover Early

Be the first to hear the next big name before they blow up. Our artists are the real deal.

Artist Stories

STRAIGHT FROM THE ARTISTS

"I'd been trying to get my music heard for two years. The Big 816 gave me my first real audience. Within a week of my slot, I had 300 new followers and three collaboration requests."

Lil' Phantom

Hip-Hop, KC

"I was skeptical at first — nothing is ever really free. But they delivered exactly what they promised. My slot ran, people listened, and the feedback was real. This platform is the real deal."

Soulé

R&B / Soul

"The Big 816 doesn't just give you airtime — they actually promote your slot. I had more listeners in one hour than I'd had on streaming in a month."

Nova Reign

Neo-Soul

FAQ

GOT QUESTIONS?

Ready?

SUBMIT YOUR MUSIC

Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch within 48 hours. Your moment is waiting.

Questions?

WE'RE REAL PEOPLE

Got a question that's not in the FAQ? Hit us directly. We respond to every message.