By what methods did WKTU connect with New York dance music culture?

They didn't just play the records, they embedded themselves in the actual scene by hiring key personalities who were already respected club DJs, like Frankie "K" and The Latin Rascals, who understood the BPMs and the specific edits that worked on the floor at places like the Paradise Garage. The station also ran their own branded events at iconic venues like Club Zanzibar and The Tunnel, where they'd broadcast live remixes and give away exclusive promo vinyl that you couldn't get anywhere else, essentially acting as a bridge between the underground club circuit and the commercial airwaves.