WENN Moves its FM signal to 102.1 to Cover Birmingham Better

The only Neo-Soul radio station in the country is now known as the "New 102.1 WENN Birmingham's Neo-Soul Station."

The frequency change gives WENN a stronger signal in the area from its previous 101.9 FM translator location. Along with the frequency change comes a new logo as well. It's available online at wennfm.com.

Here's a slide show from the station.

VIDEO: John Legend and The Roots featuring Melanie Fiona and Common - “Wake Up Everybody”

Gotta love the video concept as a tribute to Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" and Black Thought's portrayal of Samuel L. Jackson's character from the movie, "Mister Señor Love Daddy". Wake Up Y'all!

D.L.Hughley is Done at 98.7 Kiss FM, Now What???

We have a solution!

The official word from WRKS 98.7 Kiss FM Program Director Jill Strada is this, "Mornings will remain local on Kiss FM with some familiar voices and a heavy dose of the music we're known for... stay tuned!"

OK, sounds like not much of a plan at all. Sounds like another comic host has caused a station to get caught with their pants down. "...Did a radio show because it sounded like a good idea at the time until something else came along..." "...Got canned from CNN, so let's do radio...", You know the drill.

We expect the former resident comedian Talent, to re-emerge on the morning show. He of course is a familiar voice. "Kiss" cannot however bring back former host Jeff Foxx, to take the place of the now departed D.L. Hughley. Foxx is now doing afternoons over at 107.5 WBLS. But as promised, we have a solution...

Who is this woman? What did she do?

She hosts a syndicated radio talk show on mostly static filled AM radio stations. On formats across the country that figure her voice is slightly better than dead air. Oh, she gives advice too!?! Really? Wait, she is neither a medical doctor nor a psychologist. Her PhD is in physiology -- a degree which has nothing to do with human interpersonal relationships. So she's not a therapist, she only plays one on the radio...

...and still people call and listen to her for advice...lol.

She used to have over 500 affiliates, now it's about half that amount. She was a major radio star about 10 years ago and she said the "N-WORD." Hmmm... Not once, but several times. Raise your hand if you were listening to her show on the day she said the "N-WORD", several times!

We've wasted too much time on her already... as P.T. Barnum once said, "I don't care what they say about me as long as they spell my name right."

News Talk Station WSB Kicks Hip Hop and 95.5 The Beat to the Curb

Do you remember folks were upset when 95.5 The Beat began calling themselves "The New Number 1 for Hip Hop, in of all places, the "durty, durty", the ATL?

It's a move that Cox Media feels will help to protect their highly rated AM talk station with a look to the future. Today the media company decided to take their powerhouse news and talk station, 750 WSB to the FM dial at 95.5. The move effectively kills the rhythmic/hip hop station 95.5 The Beat. Although "The Beat" will now be heard on 97.1 HD-2 channel without on-air personalities. (But who even listens to or has an HD Radio?)

The move supposedly comes to keep WSB fresh and up to date. “Fewer people under the age of 40 are listening to AM,” said Tony Kidd, vice president and market manager for programming, said during an interview. By being on FM, this will enable WSB to draw from a bigger pool of potential listeners.” The station will continue to broadcast on AM radio as well.

Another reason WSB is making this move to get a boost in their own ratings. For years they have been competing against urban station WVEE. V-103, despite lots of competition continues to lead the Atlanta radio ratings, while WSB has slipped to a tied number 3 position.

It will be interesting to see where 95.5 The Beat former listeners will filter out to for hip hop. Will V-103 get a slight boost in their own ratings, which would mean part of Cox Media's plan could backfire.

Don't Look for Rickey Smiley in Philly Anytime Soon, Not with Imaging Like This

Radio One's popular morning host Rickey Smiley would seem to be a natural fit for a station without a major "big name" morning host. 100.3 The Beat (WPHI) has been without that "big name" since last November when Charlemagne left the station. We are not a fan of syndication generally, but Rickey Smiley and his cohorts put together an entertaining morning show including his alter ego "Miss Bernice Jenkins". So why not in Philly?

The Rickey Smiley Show has generated #1 ratings in several markets across the country and is right on the heels of the Frank and Wanda in the Morning Show in the 18-34 demo in the Atlanta market where they broadcast the show (WHTA - Hot 107.9). Since Charlamagne's departure, the station has gone with a more music intensive show with less emphasis on the on-air personalities who hold down the shift currently, Izzo and Sasha LaToy.

However it seems that 100.3 The Beat is bucking the trend of most music formatted radio stations. THEY ARE actually using sweepers to promote that listeners are tuning in to hear the DJ's, and not just the morning host.

The sweeper we heard sort of went like this: A female voice says, "I tune into 100.3 The Beat to the hear the DJ's I love, Michael Shawn, Kendra G., Poochman, and Izzo."

"WHAT??? Promoting local on-air personalities!"... Hmmm this is interesting indeed... Radio One is using morning syndication in every other market in the country, regardless of format, except at 100.3 The Beat. (On WPHI's sister stations; Tom Joyner is on 107.9 WRNB and Yolanda Adams is morning host at Praise 103.9) The Beat competes with Power 99's local morning show hosted by Miss Tarsha Jones aka "Jonesy."

Is this the beginning of a trend in urban radio, is it unique to the Philly market, or will The Rickey Smiley Morning Show eventually be added to the lineup at 100.3 The Beat?

Regis & Kelly name the 10 Finalist for the "Women in Radio" Contest

Among the finalist are two urban radio personalities Malikha Mallette, co-host on the Ed Lover Morning Show on Power 105.1 and Anji Corley the midday host on 95.5 WPGC in Washington, D.C.

Continue on to see their videos:

Erykah Badu Brings the Funk At Chicago's Lollapalooza

A bleach-blonde mohawk? Erykah Badu rocks her new hair with a ladylike vintage-looking dress and accessorized with a Louis Vuitton belt, full arm cuffs, wing earrings, rings and black booties. Hate it or love it?

Read more from BET Lifestyle.

YouTube video from the concert.