Kokomo's Power 104.9 celebrates a decade on the air

Local radio station Power 104.9 WTSX celebrated a decade on the air Friday.

A long list of stars have visited the station’s various studios, ranging from hip hop artist Cardi B, actor Sean Astin (of “Rudy” and “Lord of the Rings” fame) and philosophical activist Dr. Cornel West.

On average, the station reaches more than 2.1 million people a day. It’s a charting indicator station on Apple Music and is now awaiting commercial licensing status.

John “Uncle Boogie” Grant Jr., owner and host of the radio station, said he welcomed the community support that’s helped the station remain on air since 2014.

“We intend to thank everyone who’s supported us,” Grant said in a call with the Tribune, adding he was especially grateful for the Literacy Coalition, which houses the station.

The 10-year anniversary of the hip hop and R&B station comes after Grant was inducted into the Howard County Hall of Legends in April for his work as the station’s host and his prior life as a hip hop artist in the group Rock N’ Gee.

Before being recognized by the city he’s called home since 2011, Grant was recognized in 2023 by the Hip Hop Hall of Fame, his home state New Jersey and the U.S. House of Representatives for the work he’s done to promote hip hop.

After stepping away from his work as a hip hop artist, Grant explained in previous interviews with the Tribune, he still wanted to do something with music.

For a while, he found work fixing cars and moved around the country. It was around that time he started an internet radio station called Table Setter Radio.

He was already familiar with radio work, since his father ran a station in the basement of his childhood home.

After joining Nerve’s DJ coalition, Grant decided it was finally time to sell his mechanic tools and build a proper FM radio station. Grant received his Low Power FM license in 2014 and Power 104.9 WTSX was born. It was the first station in Kokomo fully dedicated to hip hop and R&B.