Detroit’s Sports Rap Radio Makes History As The First All-Black-Led Sports Radio Station In The US

Detroit, MI, has done it again, and it’s only right that one of the Blackest cities in America becomes the home to the first all-Black-led sports radio station in the nation!

Sports Rap Radio on AM 1270 made its debut on the airwaves in Motor City on June 4, and not only does it feature all Black hosts, but the radio station is also Black-owned, Blavity reports.

“[This is] history-making,” said former Detroit sports anchor Rob Parker, per CBS News. “[It’s] groundbreaking, [and] we just believe that the time has come.”

In addition to Parker, who is responsible for helping to bring this vision to life, the history-making team of co-owners includes Parker’s longtime friend Dave Kenney as well as athletes, former NBA player BJ Armstrong and University of Michigan wide receiver Maurice “Moe” Ways.

“Moe was the missing piece. I needed somebody young, smart, from the city,” Parker told the outlet.

The two have kept in touch since they first met, when Ways was a football star at Detroit Country Day School.

An injury ended Ways’ NFL dreams four years ago, but now, thanks to Sports Rap Radio he will be able to get back to the sport he loves by providing commentary on the show.

“Life has an amazing way of showing you signs and dropping seeds and coming full circle,” Ways said. “So, [I’m] very humble, very grateful, and ready to get to work.”

An all-local lineup is currently available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with some local programming available on weekends.

“Just four years ago, there were no Black full-time sports hosts on the radio in Detroit,” Parker disclosed. “In a city that’s nearly 80% black, I looked at that as a problem.”