Philadelphia’s 105.3 WDAS has been a cornerstone of the community for 75 years. Deeply rooted in Black music, culture, and history. More than just a radio station, it’s a trusted voice and cultural institution.
Derrick Corbett, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Philadelphia and Program Director for both WDAS and Power 99, carries that legacy forward with pride and a strong sense of responsibility.
“DAS is a brand that is 75 years old. It’s one of a kind in that it is an iconic—and I hate using that word because I think it’s so over-saturated now—but you could say elite brand in the world of radio,” Corbett said.
“It’s been able to overcome many different owners, many different formats, many different evolutions in music, and it has still withstood the test of time because it’s an institution in the city of Philadelphia.”
Corbett gave me a goosebump moment when he shared a part of the lineage that makes it special. WDAS is one of the rare stations in America that has hosted the voices of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Barack Obama.
“That tells you about the type of lineage and history that stands behind those call letters,” he said.
Building the Soundtrack of Philadelphia
Musically, WDAS is anchored in R&B, a format that Corbett says spans generations.
“It’s 50 years’ worth of R&B richness every hour. So, you’ll hear something from the ’70s, the ’80s, the ’90s, the 2000s, and the 2010s, and then you’ll hear something current as well.”
The library reflects deep reverence for Philadelphia’s musical contributions.
“Philadelphia has an incredible heritage of music. All of those Gamble and Huff records were birthed at WDAS with legendary program director Joe ‘Butterball’ Tamburro helming the ship. You think about the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, and Billy Paul. All of those records started at WDAS-FM.”
That legacy didn’t stop in the 20th century. The station has also been a crucial platform for contemporary R&B artists like Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Bilal, and Kindred the Family Soul.
“That’s home for them. That’s where the majority of them were broken and continue to be played on a daily basis.”
The Weight of Stewardship
For Corbett, shepherding such a legacy is not something he takes lightly.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege. I can’t put it any plainer than that,” he said. “It’ll be 13 years, and I have the longest tenure as program director in the history of the station behind Butterball.”
Corbett gives big credit to his airstaff.
“We were the second station in America to put the Steve Harvey show on, behind WBLS in New York. Then we go to Patty Jackson, the only female broadcaster on the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame. She’s 43 years in the game, with the last three decades at WDAS.”
Frankie Darcell anchors PM Drive.
“I knew what she brings to the table,” he said. “She’s been a pillar of knowledge and information for over three, four decades.”
Evenings are helmed by Ademo Colon, an Emmy-winning broadcaster with a background that includes BET’s Teen Summit.
“He had very big shoes to step into with the loss of Tony Brown, and he’s taken that challenge and run with it.”
The emotional bond with the audience is something Corbett doesn’t take for granted.
“People don’t just listen to WDAS—they feel it. It’s the soundtrack to their lives. I can’t tell you how many people have come up to us at events and said, ‘My grandmother listened, my mother listened, and now I do too.’ That’s a legacy you can’t manufacture. That’s earned, every single day.”
A Digital Mentality
WDAS doesn’t just live on the dial. It’s thriving on digital platforms as well.
“When I got here, there were people saying, ‘Don’t worry about DAS, they’re too old to focus on social media,’ and the staff took that as a challenge.”
That challenge has turned into massive digital engagement.
“We just had a situation with the unfortunate passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner, and Frankie Darcell was able to post an interview with the Cosbys. That interview hit 4.3 million views.”
The station’s summer partnership with The Dell Music Center has also helped push social metrics.
“We had Fantasia here to open the season and Southern soul singer 803Fresh. That view of Fantasia and 803 on stage gained us about two million views.”
“Digital is just as important almost as the on-air presentation. You have to have something that mirrors what you’re doing online on air.”
Beyoncé, Tickets, and the Value of Experiences
Corbett’s passion for the craft extends to the artists who inspire the station’s audience. He doesn’t hide his admiration for Beyoncé, especially in light of her Cowboy Carter tour and last weekend’s on-stage reunion of Destiny’s Child.
“She is the essence of what our industry is all about. She has learned from the elders and ancestors, and she has taken it to another level. There are very few artists where I will buy tickets to the show. I never ask anyone for tickets to see Beyoncé. I buy my tickets to see her.”
That touches on another growing reality in radio promotions: experiences are sometimes more valuable than cash.
“Philadelphia is a music city, so the demand for shows is high. Cash is king. I don’t think cash ever hurts, but concert tickets are a very close second. It depends on how much cash. Nobody’s moving for $100 anymore.”
What Matters Most
Whether it’s celebrating local icons, covering issues that matter to the Black community, or offering a trusted platform for prominent voices, the station has consistently prioritized relevance and connection.
“We have an obligation to inform, educate, and entertain. And that means showing up every day with purpose and consistency.”
That approach also shapes the way Corbett views programming decisions. Balancing legacy with innovation, and instinct with data.
“We listen to our audience, both formally through research and informally through community feedback. You have to stay open to what people care about right now, while still honoring what brought them here in the first place. That’s how you keep a station like WDAS not just alive, but meaningful.”
As Corbett reflects on the station’s place in the city, he returns to one central theme. Trust.
“We’re happy to still be in a place where people come to us on a daily basis for information and to be entertained. We don’t take our stance in the city for granted.
Corbett believes the community aspect of radio can’t be matched.
“From a community standpoint, there’s nothing bigger than the power of radio. I’m lucky enough to have two heritage brands, DAS and Power 99. When DAS and Power say something, it’s biblical. It has to be the truth. It has to be correct. People bet on it.”
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Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
