You're driving through the streets of Charlotte, the humidity is kicking, and the bass from the speakers is rattling the rearview mirror. If you’ve spent any time in the Queen City, you know that sound. It's WPEG. Most people just call it Power 98. It has been the rhythmic heartbeat of the Carolinas for decades. But finding a specific power 98 song list from a random Tuesday at 3:00 PM isn't as straightforward as it used to be back when we just waited for the DJ to shout out the track title.
Radio has changed.
Back in the day, you’d keep a notebook to jot down songs you liked. Now, we expect every playlist to be available with a single click. Power 98 (97.9 FM) operates under the Beasley Media Group umbrella, and their programming is a very specific, curated blend of mainstream Hip-Hop and R&B mixed with a surprising amount of local "Carolina" flavor. They aren't just playing what’s top of the Billboard 100; they’re playing what’s moving in the clubs from Uptown to the Northside.
What is actually on the Power 98 song list right now?
Honestly, the "current" playlist is a moving target. Because Power 98 is an Urban Contemporary station, they lean heavily into the heavy hitters. You’re going to hear a lot of Drake. Obviously. You’re going to hear Future. You’re going to hear Latto and Glorilla. But if you look at their most recent logs, you see a dedication to the icons too. It’s not rare to hear a 15-year-old Lil Wayne track sandwiched between a brand-new 21 Savage release and a classic Mary J. Blige anthem.
They have these specific blocks that dictate the power 98 song list vibe.
Think about the "Morning Maddhouse." That show isn’t just about the music; it’s about the culture. During those hours, the song list might feel a bit more high-energy to get people to work. Contrast that with the "Quiet Storm" style vibes you get later in the evening where the BPM drops and the R&B takes over. People often search for these lists because they heard a "throwback" track at noon and didn't catch the artist. Beasley Media actually keeps a "Recently Played" tool on the official Power 98 website, which is the only 100% accurate way to see what just went off the air. It usually tracks the last 10 to 20 songs, providing the artist name, track title, and even a link to buy or stream it.
Why the Carolina's Most Wanted matters
If you want to understand the soul of this station, you have to look at their local countdowns. This isn't just corporate radio piped in from a basement in Los Angeles. They actually give a platform to local artists through segments like "Carolina's Most Wanted."
This is where the power 98 song list becomes something unique.
You might see a local artist from Gastonia or Rock Hill getting airplay alongside Megan Thee Stallion. That’s a big deal. It’s how the station maintains its "community" status. For a songwriter in North Carolina, getting onto that list is the ultimate validation. Listeners often flock to the station's social media pages—particularly Instagram—to vote on these tracks. If you are looking for a list of these specific songs, the station usually updates their "Top 5 at 9" or similar countdowns daily.
The struggle with real-time tracking
Have you ever tried to find a song that played three days ago? It’s a nightmare. Third-party sites like Onlineradiobox or TuneIn often try to scrape the data from the station’s stream. They are okay, but they aren't perfect. Sometimes the metadata gets scrambled. You might see a song listed as "Unknown Artist" or it might display the name of the radio show instead of the track.
Real talk: the best way to rebuild a power 98 song list if you’ve missed the 24-hour window on their site is to use a combination of Shazam history (if you were fast enough) and Spotify playlists curated by fans. There are several "Power 98 Charlotte" playlists on Spotify that are updated by listeners who literally just add whatever they hear on the drive home. These are unofficial, sure, but they capture the "mood" of the station better than a dry corporate log.
Breaking down the rotation
Radio programming is a science. It's not just a DJ picking songs they like. They use a system—often something like Selector or GSelector—to categorize songs into different "buckets."
- Powers: These are the massive hits. Think Kendrick Lamar’s latest or a chart-topping SZA track. These play every 3 to 4 hours.
- Sub-Powers: Songs that are climbing. They play maybe 3 or 4 times a day.
- Recents: Hits that are just starting to fade but people still want to hear.
- Gold/Old School: These are the classics. This is the 90s and early 2000s R&B that keeps the older demographic tuned in.
When you look at a power 98 song list, you’ll notice this rhythm. It’s a loop designed to keep you from changing the dial. They know that if they play three brand-new, experimental trap songs in a row, the person driving a minivan might switch to a pop station. So, they balance it. They’ll give you the new stuff, then anchor it with a Biggie or Tupac track to keep the "vibe" consistent.
The influence of DJ Jessica "The Girl Next Door" and No Limit Larry
The personalities dictate the flow. No Limit Larry and the Morning Maddhouse have a huge say in the energy of the morning power 98 song list. They break records. If a song gets a heavy push during the morning drive, it’s almost guaranteed to become a staple in the rotation for the next three months. This isn't just music; it's a king-making machine for the Southeast hip-hop scene.
How to find a song you heard on Power 98
If you are currently hunting for a track and can't find it, here is the protocol.
First, go directly to the WPEG website and look for the "Last Played" section. It's usually under the "Music" or "Listen Live" tab. If the song played more than a few hours ago, that list might be gone. Your next step is to check the station's Twitter (X) feed. While they don't tweet every song, they often shout out "New Music Alerts" or tag artists they are currently spinning.
Another pro tip? Check the "Power 98 Charlotte" page on a site called "Radio-Directory" or "Internet-Radio." These sites often archive longer durations of track history than the official station site does. It's a bit of a "hacker" way to find that one R&B song with the flute sample you heard while sitting in traffic on I-77.
Misconceptions about the playlist
A lot of people think that because Power 98 is a "Hip Hop" station, that’s all they play. That is totally wrong. Their power 98 song list is surprisingly heavy on R&B and "Adult Urban" sounds, especially during the midday sets and late nights. They understand that their audience isn't just 19-year-olds. It’s people who grew up on Usher, Ashanti, and Ne-Yo.
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Also, don't assume the list is 100% national. Charlotte has a very specific sound—a blend of Atlanta trap influences and Virginia soul. The programmers at WPEG are very aware of this. They will often "test" songs on the Charlotte market before they go national. If a song is blowing up on the Power 98 list, there's a good chance you'll see it on the national charts three weeks later.
Actionable steps for listeners and artists
If you’re a listener trying to keep up, or an artist trying to get on that coveted list, here is the reality of how the system works in 2026.
For the Listeners:
Don't rely on memory. If you hear something you love, use the "History" feature on the Power 98 app. Most people don't realize the app actually stores a longer history than the desktop website. You can usually scroll back through several hours of music there. If you missed it entirely, look for the "Power 98 Charlotte" playlist on Apple Music or Spotify; several local DJs keep these updated as a hobby, and they are surprisingly accurate.
For Local Artists:
Getting on the power 98 song list isn't about emailing a generic "info@" address. You need to target the "Carolina's Most Wanted" segment. This usually involves digital submission through their portal or catching the attention of the music director during local showcase events. They look for high production quality and, more importantly, a local "buzz." If your song is already doing numbers in the local clubs like Oak or RSVP, the station is much more likely to add you to the rotation.
For the Super-Fans:
Pay attention to the specialty shows. Sunday nights often feature different programming that doesn't follow the standard Top 40 Urban rotation. If you're looking for underground tracks or classic gospel, that’s when the power 98 song list deviates from the norm. Keeping a log of these specialty shows is the best way to discover music that isn't being shoved down everyone else's throats by the major labels.
The station remains a titan for a reason. They know the city. They know the sound. Whether you're looking for the latest hit or a hidden local gem, the playlist is a reflection of Charlotte itself—fast-paced, soulful, and always evolving.