WSU student gives radio voice to Detroit youth

Founded in 2015, Be-Moor Radio, billed as “The baseline to the city’s rhythm,” gives teens an opportunity to pursue radio while improving their community of Brightmoor, Detroit.

The hip-hop station, in the Brightmoor Community Center, is a completely student-driven operation. It covers more than music, giving a platform for black-owned Detroit businesses. The station, which can be tuned into using an app, is run by Yakeem Tatum, the general manager and a Wayne State sophomore majoring in theater.

“Brightmoor is an area that is considered to be one of Detroit poorest neighborhoods,” Tatum said. “The crime rate in Brightmoor is high; there isn’t a lot of hope for a lot of young people in Brightmoor.”

According to their website, they are committed to being a radio station that “encourages young people to rise above the low expectations exhibited and to challenge their listeners to BE-MOOR and do great things.”

“The future of our radio station, what we really see, is it being a vehicle that can ultimately change culture,” Tatum said. “We are trying to have our generation and the generation after us be critical thinkers, we are trying to be positive.”

Since their launch, Be-Moor Radio has participated in events such as Charivari Detroit and partnered with BMe Community in supporting the #spendblack campaign. They are working on producing a Be-Moor magazine, the magazine will highlight positive aspects of Detroit and showcase the younger generation that are doing positive things in their community.

“I want to write stories that can affect you subconsciously in a positive way and that’s the one thing I really want to push with Be-Moor Radio,” Tatum said.

He said the creative process of the radio station was born from a conversation in 2014 between him and Dennis Talbert, now CEO and chief visionary officer of Be-Moor Radio.

Their first guest was Natayai Collins. Collins is an incoming WSU freshman and hip-hop artist who was a producer on Big Sean’s “The Infinite Project,” a music project featuring Cass Tech High School students.

“Being the first guest on Be-Moor Radio was such an honor for me,” Collins said. “I was really pleased to see Nigel Tutt, host Be-Moor show 'Detroit 120', reach out to me and tell me about the show. The experience was very nice and it made me feel right at home.”

Collins said they discussed her experience in high school and her future plans attending Wayne State in the fall.

“The [Be-Moor] staff was really nice,” she said. “The questions didn't stop with my interview; they were genuinely interested in the things I had planned for my music.”

The artist said they also discussed her experience working on “The Infinite Project,” about her music and her album she released Aug. 28 called “Alpha Omega Wave.”

“I really loved the sense of community there, and everyone was working toward a common goal. I didn't feel any kind of animosity; it's rare to see that nowadays,” Collins said. “Be-Moor Radio is overall just a great community station. It's really great to see the grassroots approach to radio succeed. I always help new and upcoming projects when I can.”

“It’s one thing to tell somebody don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, but it’s another thing to reinforce those ideas without saying don’t do this.” Tatum said. “If we had a conversation about the effects of something, I feel that’s more beneficial to people than what they can or cannot do.”

For more information about how to submit music or to be a part of Be-Moor Radio, visit: bemoorradio.com

Contact writer Nicolette Rankin: nicolette.rankin@wayne.edu

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