 WERD was playing classic R&B when on July 4, 1995, new program director Mitch Faulkner started playing rap music at night and hired several young DJs.Noted R&B singer James Brown, a part owner of WERD, soon put an end to the rap because he did not like it.In summer 1996, WERD ended its rhythm and blues format and joined the Prime Sports Network with a sports radio format.