Philly Radio: Rise & Grind Morning Show Axed Amid iHM Layoffs

The Philadelphia radio landscape felt the sting of corporate belt-tightening Tuesday as iHeartMedia, the nation's largest radio broadcaster, kicked off another round of layoffs. Among the casualties was the long-running "Rise & Grind Morning Show" on Urban AC Hip Hop station "Power 99" WUSL (98.9 FM), marking the end of a 15-year staple for the city's vibrant Hip Hop and R&B community. 

The show's co-host, MuthaKnows (real name: known for her sharp wit and "The Tea" gossip segment), announced her departure in a heartfelt social media post, revealing she was let go upon returning from vacation after 14.5 years of service.

MuthaKnows' post captured the raw emotion of the moment: “Who gets to come back from vacation and hear the dreaded ‘we’re going in a different direction’ speech? Yours truly, after 14.5 years of faithful service.” Her exit effectively shutters the show, which had been a weekday fixture from 6-10 a.m., blending local Philly flavor with national Hip Hop hits, celebrity interviews, and community spotlights. 

This isn't an isolated cut—it's part of iHeartMedia's broader cost-cutting efforts, driven by ongoing financial pressures including a staggering $20 billion debt load and a shift toward digital and streaming revenue amid declining traditional ad sales.

Launched around 2010, the "Rise & Grind Morning Show" quickly became a cornerstone of WUSL's programming, embodying the grind of urban life with high-energy banter, music from artists like Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, and local Philly talents, and segments like "The Tea with Mutha Knows" that dished on pop culture and city buzz. 

The core lineup evolved over the years but centered on MuthaKnows' chemistry with co-hosts Mikey Dredd (who handled production and on-air energy) and later additions like Roxy Romeo, who joined in 2018 to bring a fresh female perspective from her stints in Las Vegas and Houston.

Key Milestones:

✔2010s Build: Started as a duo with Mikey Dredd and MuthaKnows, gaining traction during Philly's Hip Hop renaissance.

✔2018 Expansion: Roxy Romeo's addition boosted listenership, with the show relocating her from "Real 103.9" in Vegas to amp up the show's diversity and appeal.

✔Community Impact: Regular features included artist interviews (e.g., previews for Doja Cat), hometown hero nominations, and tie-ins with iHeart's Recovery 360 podcast on substance use awareness, hosted by station news director Loraine Ballard Morrill.

✔Ratings Success: Consistently ranked as a top morning show in the market for Adults 25-54 among Urban AC listeners, per Nielsen data, helping Power 99 maintain its "#1 for Hip Hop and R&B" status in Philly.

iHeartMedia's Layoff Wave: The October 2025 purge isn't iHeart's first—previous rounds in November 2024, August 2024, and January 2025 trimmed hundreds of jobs, often targeting programming and on-air talent to streamline syndication and cut costs. Sources describe the current cuts as "ongoing" and potentially company-wide, with more expected over the coming days.

In Philadelphia alone, the fallout also includes: Sean Brace, Program Director and host of "The Daily Ticket" on FOX Sports "The Gambler" (97.5/1480 WDAS), who helped launch the station in 2019.

Additional Context Scope: 

• Layoffs began early on October 7 and are expected to continue, potentially impacting more markets like Milwaukee, Dallas, and others. No official total from iHeartMedia, but insiders describe it as "widespread" across management, programming, and on-air staff.
• Impact on Programming: In Philadelphia, Power 99's morning show is shifting to syndicated "The Breakfast Club." Similar syndication increases are anticipated elsewhere to fill voids.
• Company Statement: iHeartMedia has not commented directly, but past responses emphasize "modernizing" operations for efficiency.