Exhibit 12.1 Radio One, Inc. and Subsidiaries Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends For the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and For the Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 2000 Fiscal Year Ended December 31, -------------------------------------------------------- Pro forma 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999 ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ----------- (Dollars in thousands) (unaudited) Earnings: Net Income (loss)....... $(1,856) $(3,609) $(4,944) $ 841 $ 133 $(83,086) Add: Provision (benefit) for income taxes.......... -- -- -- (1,575) 2,728 -- Extraordinary item..... 468 -- 1,985 -- -- -- Fixed charges:(1) Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs................ 5,289 7,252 8,910 11,455 15,279 58,452 Rent expense.......... 190 259 270 296 497 890 ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Total fixed charges..... 5,479 7,511 9,180 11,751 15,776 59,342 Total earnings.......... $ 4,091 $ 3,902 $ 6,221 $ 11,017 $18,637 $(23,744) ======= ======= ======= ======== ======= ======== Fixed Charges (1)....... $ 5,479 $ 7,511 $ 9,180 $ 11,751 $15,776 $ 59,342 ======= ======= ======= ======== ======= ======== Preferred stock dividends.............. $ -- $ -- $ 2,037 $ 3,716 $ 1,476 $ 21,626 ======= ======= ======= ======== ======= ======== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.............. 0.75 0.52 0.55 0.71 1.08 (0.29) ======= ======= ======= ======== ======= ======== Six Months Ended June 30, ------------------------- Pro (Unaudited) forma 1999 2000 2000 ------- ------- -------- (Dollars in Thousands) Earnings: Net Income (loss).................................. $(3,681) $ 7,638 (37,435) Add: Provision (benefit) for income taxes.............. 476 5,818 -- Extraordinary item................................ -- -- Fixed charges:(1) Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs........................ 7,489 7,247 30,779 Rent expense..................................... 249 261 446 ------- ------- -------- Total fixed charges................................ 7,738 7,508 31,225 Total earnings..................................... $ 4,533 $20,964 $ (6,210) ======= ======= ======== Fixed Charges (1).................................. $ 7,738 $ 7,508 $ 31,225 ======= ======= ======== Preferred stock dividends.......................... $ 1,476 $ -- 10,075 ======= ======= ======== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends......................... 0.49 2.79 (0.15) ======= ======= ======== - -------- (1) Fixed charges represent interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs and the component of rent expense believed by management to be representative of the interest factor (one-third of rent expense).