WVAZ-FM Chicago V103 102.7 FM

When this station replaced the old WBMX years ago, they made a point of going on about how they don’t play hip-​hop/​rap music. Now they’ve recognized a good portion of their current audience was listening to that genre back in the day, so they do slip in older rap classics onto the playlist (although I’m still waiting to hear some old hits by artists like NWA instead of the «safer» ones they stick with). The station could also expand their definition of what dusties (old R&B songs) are, too, instead of depending on the same handful of 1970’s and 1980’s hits. Thank God for Herb Kent’s show on the weekends because he adds 1950’s and 1960’s music to the dusties mix.
Like most radio stations in Chicago and elsewhere, I wish there wasn’t so much dependence on syndicated radio shows to fill out the day’s schedule. Syndicated shows not only take away from the local flavor of radio stations, but all syndicated shows aren’t of good quality.

The best station in Chicago. The morning programming sucks (what morning radio doesn’t?) but what sets these guys apart is the rush hour jams. While top 40 stations are busy playing unlistenable techno remixes of already-​crappy-​pop songs, V103 has seasoned, professional DJs spinning well thought out mixes of house, R&B, old school, funk, etc. Don’t have your CDs or iPod during rush hour? Turn to V103 to be your savior!

V103 is #1 in the Streets! Wait– or is that GCI? Well, V103 is #1 in my car! Specifically the Doug Banks Show in the afternoon. I like Dee Dee’s «Five Things You Need to Know Right Now» which keeps me up to date with all the TMZ-​style gossip. I like getting out of work and hearing DJ King Tut lay down a set of 80’s deep cuts, R&B, and phat beats while I’m trying to make time on the Kennedy.
Not that kind of «makin’ time», like in the back seat of your daddy’s car– but you could if you wanted to! V103 pumps out the panty droppers, the baby makers, the smoove jams. I’m learning all the playa playa lines worthy of Smoove B. like «I bet your neighbors know my name»…Yow! Big fan of the extended party sets at 5pm and 6pm, and also the R&B in the evenings.
I’ve tried to bear with the Steve Harvey Show in the mornings but just can’t hang. Especially when Nephew Tommy «punks» some couple with a prank call that just crosses the line of inappropriateness, and then goes on for another 10 minutes! Like, «this is your doctor’s office and that blood test shows you’ve got terminal cancer» or «you and your wife are brother and sister»…ugh– is that helping anybody trust anyone these days?
But besides that, V103 is #1 in the Streets and in my car!

Amazing radio station, but as a reformed catholic im not gonna be as mad at the eternal conflict of sexy secularists vs righteous religiosity as others. All I know is this station will flip it from 80s funk/​early rap/​classic disco, perfect for automotive dance parties w/​the crew down lake shore drive, to quiet storm smooth R&B, perfect for those winter nites by the fire w/​the ladyfriend or sweaty summertime flings. Grown folks sexy music.

A format that just totally confounds me each and every day.
So it will be about 11 o’clock at night, closing in on «the midnight hour» and they will play the nastiest, dirtiest Keith Sweat song about booties and humping and being «young, but ready» and then follow that immediately with a rousing gospel Kirk Franklin selection about stompin’ for Jesus? And then follow that one with an earnest neo-​soul song about loving my natural hair?
WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY!!! Are you trying to tell me something? Because I can’t figure it out at all. Are you on a fundamentalist abstinence mission? Or are you recruiting for a swingers circuit? Seriously, I can’t tell!
And it’s not just like this in the middle of the night, but at any old time, including 10 in the morning. I don’t know who all of this could be pleasing, because the gospel lovers’ heads must be about to explode when «You Remind Me of My Jeep» by R. Kelly is bumping and grinding along, and I KNOW that same Mary Mary praise hymn droning on for the umpteenth time is putting the kibosh on nighttime action all across Chicagoland on the regular.
Despite all of this, I am absolutely stuck with V103 because I love soul and R&B music and, sadly, this appears to be the best Chicago has to offer of the genre. At least they sometimes play my beloved Jill Scott and Erykah Badu on rare occasion, even if I have to sit through some of the worst dreck imaginable to get to it. And the Herb Kent «Battle» show on Sundays is one of my favorite radio shows period — of any genre — really just excellent music programing. But there is just so little good to go with so much ughhh.
Please get it together 102.7. Seriously, can you just find a middle ground, so that I don’t have to feel like I need a shower or feel like I’ve just been to church, when all I want to do is hear some music? Please. Really. Damn.