Photo: HYFIN
HYFIN staff 2022
HYFIN staff: Chris Alexander, Tarik Moody, Element Everest-Blanks, Daron "DJ" Brüwer, Anthony Foster.
Radio Milwaukee’s new Urban Alternative channel HYFIN (WYMS-88.9FM HD2) will officially launch on Sunday, the station announced Thursday.
Last November Tarik Moody, 88.9 Digital Director Strategy And Innovation offered a preview of things to come shepherdexpress.com/music/local-music/big-plans-for-tarik-moody-and-88nine-radio-milwaukee
HYFIN’s first hour of music will be specially programmed to reflect the diversity of Black culture. Each HYFIN team member will submit music for the hour and the first song will be by a Milwaukee legend.
Standing out from other music platforms
The music programming in HYFIN will be approximately 60% female-identifying artists and 40% male-identifying artists. This is a stark contrast to most commercial urban stations around the country, which play predominantly male artists.
“As we’ve said from the beginning, we want HYFIN to uplift Black women and we’re doing that in every way we can,” Moody said.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is providing initial support for HYFIN with a $450,000 grant. The new channel will play music from at least two Milwaukee musicians each hour; and HYFIN’s “The Morning Mix” show will also be unique in that it will be un-hosted with all music from 6 a.m. to noon.
Photo: HYFIN
Tarik Moody
Tarik Moody
“In the Black community, we have a lot of morning talk radio shows,” Moody said. “I wanted HYFIN to be different in what we offer listeners. Maybe you tune in to talk radio for the first part of your commute, but then switch over to HYFIN and get into a good groove for your day. We want HYFIN to be the soundtrack for that.”
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In addition to music, HYFIN will carry Radio Milwaukee’s “Uniquely Milwaukee” stories and will also play a selection of multicultural archival stories. HYFIN will also have its own arts and entertainment news segment called “The Grapevine,” hosted by DJ Element Everest-Blanks.
HYFIN will begin airing in its fully hosted format on Monday, July 4. On weekdays, Anthony Foster will be on-air from noon-3 p.m.; Everest-Blanks will be on-air from 3-9 p.m.; and Moody will host the 9 p.m.-midnight shift, which will air on both 88.9FM HD1 and HD2.
Listeners can stream online at hyfin.org and via the 88Nine and HYFIN mobile apps. HYFIN will broadcast on-air at 88.9FM HD2 and will be simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. every day.
