Emerson College Adult Alternative 88.9 WERS Boston is expanding its late-night Hip Hop/R&B programming into a second HD2/streaming brand “WERS Plus“.
Branded as “Boston’s Black Experience”, the station describes its programming as follows:
“WERS Plus is a deep dive into R&B and Hip Hop that includes the legendary voices of soul alongside new and pioneering mc’s. Funky fresh beats combine with thought provoking lyrics that pierce through the issues that impact cities across our nation. Featuring established acts and indie artists on the rise, every day all day WERS Plus threads together the most powerful and outspoken members of the urban music community, presenting a Black Experience that’s as danceable as it is insightful. Powered by 88.9 FM, WERS Plus is a whole unique vibe that hits different.”
WERS Plus launched on Thursday, December 3 at 12pm. The Broadway/Show Tunes “Standing Room Only” format that had been on WERS-HD2 as moved online only.
88.9 FM WERS, is working to address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with a new 24/7 urban music stream.
Launched on Thursday December 3rd at noon, the new music format has a home at 88.9 FM HD-2 for those with HD-equipped radios. ERS+ is also be available as a stream – online and via an app at www.WERSPLUS.org.
Before names like Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah or Mary J Blige were well known, WERS had a history of supporting them. Vintage WERS programs like The Black Experience, Rap Explosion and 88.9@Night still conjure fond memories for those keen on music discovery.
Now, WERS brings its rich past into the present with ERS+. The channel revives The Black Experience and serves Boston’s R&B and Hip Hop community with the newest voices, such as Tobe Nwigwe, VanJess, and Durrand Bernarr along with a variety of favorites.
Says WERS Operations Manager Howard “D” Simpson, “What will set us apart from the others that play urban music is what always has – we have great ears for new music discovery and a deep library — and we’re not afraid to use both.”
To accommodate the new HD2 format, the current Broadway show tunes format (Standing Room Only) is now an online streaming exclusive.