Flint's 98.9 The Beat brings fresh sounds and opportunities to the local listening area

FLINT, Michigan -- The newly revamped radio station 98.9 The Beat recently hit the airwaves in Flint, bringing a new urban contemporary format and a locally-based team. 

Previously 98.9 JAMZ, Flint native Edward Graham took over the station after former owner Michael Schumpert passed away. While JAMZ was long-known for playing R&B music geared towards an older audience, Graham decided to go with a Hip Hop and R&B format to appeal to a younger audience. That choice also fits well with the city’s exploding Hip Hop scene.

Included in the station’s lineup is nationally-syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club which airs weekday mornings, and various shows that are hosted by local radio personalities and DJs. Jordyn Anese Mickens, known as Jordyn Anese, recently joined the team at 98.9 and is now on-air every weekday from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

“I think that Flint needed a station for us, by us,” she said. “As long as we all catch on and move with them, I think it will be great.”

In addition to the live on-air broadcast, there is also an app that allows Android and iPhone users to tune in to the station anytime. 

Rob Boaz, who is the general manager of 98.9 The Beat, told Flintside that the station is adamant about connecting more to the community.

“Our mission is for the community to feel us more than they hear us,” Boaz said. “The goal is to really utilize the resources and capital that we have amongst ourselves to help push the culture forward in a positive way.”

The station is currently broadcasting in the Dryden Building in downtown Flint. Since the launch of 98.9 The Beat, the on-air team has shown up at several local events around the city to help spread the word about the station and create a presence in the community which is something that Boaz is aiming to do more of going forward.

When asked about how he wants the new station to be perceived by Flint listeners, he replied, “It's about the community being able to identify with us. We definitely want to be the mirror to our community.” 

For more information on 98.9 The Beat, visit thebeat989.com.