The Vault of Soul

  • Vault of Soul: Brook Benton

    Vault of Soul: Brook Benton

    Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To start 2026’s June coverage, WERS recognizes Brook Benton, one of the pioneer voices in the American Jazz and R&B scene throughout the 50s and 60s. 

  • Vault of Soul: Erykah Badu

    Vault of Soul: Erykah Badu

    Each week of February, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2026’s February coverage, WERS recognizes Erykah Badu, one of the most recognizable names and voices in R&B, through the 90s, and 2000s.

  • Vault of Soul: The Gap Band

    Vault of Soul: The Gap Band

    Each week of Black History Month, we open the 88.9Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic pioneers of R&B and soul. To learn more about the Wilson brothers, known as The Gap Band, read the biography below!

  • Vault of Soul: Brandy

    Vault of Soul: Brandy

    Each week of Black History Month, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic pioneers of R&B and soul. This week, we’re taking you through the iconic life of R&B and acting legend Brandy. To learn more, check out the biography of the icon Brandy below. 

  • Vault of Soul: Rick James

    Vault of Soul: Rick James

    Each week of Black History Month, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic pioneers of R&B and soul. To learn more, check out the biography of funkmaster Rick James, best tracks, and awards below! 

  • Photo of Earth, Wind & Fire with a golden bird that stretches from the top to the bottom

    Vault Of Soul: Earth, Wind & Fire

    Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2025’s June coverage, WERS recognizes the legendary band Earth, WInd & Fire, one of the most influential bands of all time, blurring the lines between funk, soul, and R&B music.

  • Image of Anita Baker wearing a black top looking forward. Anita Baker is spelled out in white next to her and Vault of Soul is written in purple, yellow, and pink underneath.

    Vault of Soul: Anita Baker

    Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2025’s June coverage, WERS recognizes Anita Baker, one of the most recognizable voices in the American Jazz and R&B scene throughout the 80s, 90s, and well into the 21st Century.

  • A picture of Luther Vandross looking to down and to the left, with white text in the top right saying Luther Vandross and purple and blue text saying Vault of Soul.

    Vault of Soul: Luther Vandross

    Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2025’s June coverage, WERS recognizes Luther Vandross, one of the most recognizable names and voices in R&B, through the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.