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Best Radio Station This represents something of an upset. WERQ (92.3 FM), aka 92Q, has dominated this category for several years on the strength of its flavorful R&B and hip-hop programming, stellar mix shows, and on-air staff, whose down-to-earthiness helped make the station feel like it was living up to its oft-stated commitment to the "Q-munity." But there have been some changes at 92Q, and generally not for the better. Marc Clarke and the Big Phat Morning Show keep us going on the way to work, but as the long-sought replacement for ex-morning-man Frank Ski and his Baltocentric wake-up, BPMS' standard morning-drive hoo-ha is something of a disappointment. While the Q's on-air DJ mixes and specialty shows (like the hallowed Rap Attack, Saturday nights from 7 to 9) still rule, the rest of its broadcast day just doesn't sparkle like it used to. WEAA, on the other hand, seems to us a station on the rise. Since the arrival of assistant general manager/program director Maxie C. Jackson III about two years ago, the Morgan State University-sponsored National Public Radio affiliate has subtly retooled and polished its offerings. While its substantial public-affairs programming remains on point, its extensive jazz programming seems to have found a better balance of classics (we caught Ella Fitzgerald just killing "Take the 'A' Train" one sunny afternoon, and it literally made our day) and modern "smooth" stuff. We only wish non-night owls had better access to fine shows such as Strictly Hip-Hop (Saturdays, midnight to 5 A.M.) and the electronic-friendly Audio Infusion (Sundays, midnight to 5 A.M.)--though DJ Oji's Saturday-night Underground Experience starts early enough (8 P.M.-midnight) to give the dozy curious a taste. But more than anything, listening to WEAA makes us acutely aware of where we live, and more contemporary radio ought to do exactly that.
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