If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in that soul-crushing crawl on I-93 or white-knuckling it through the O'Neill Tunnel at 7:30 AM, you know the vibe. Radio in Boston is a battlefield. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and honestly, a lot of it is just people yelling over each other about the Celtics or the latest political drama at City Hall. But then there’s The Get Up Crew.
They’re the heartbeat of WBQT Hot 96.9.
Most morning shows feel like they’re trying too hard to be your "wacky best friends." It’s forced. It’s scripted. You can hear the plastic clicking in the background. But with Pebbles, Ramiro, and Leroy, it’s different. It feels like a real conversation you’re just happening to overhear while you're trying to wake up. They’ve managed to capture that specific lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry that makes a morning show survive the transition from the old-school FM dial to the digital era of podcasts and streaming.
The DNA of The Get Up Crew
What’s the secret sauce? It’s not just the music. Look, anyone can play a "Throwback" track from 2004 and get a hit of nostalgia. The real hook is the personalities. You’ve got Pebbles, who is basically the undisputed queen of Boston radio. She’s been a staple in this market for decades, and her voice is as familiar to locals as the Zakim Bridge. She brings this grounded, empathetic energy that keeps the show from spiraling into total chaos.
Then there’s Ramiro Torres.
Ramiro is a legend. Period. If you grew up in New England in the early 2000s, his voice was the soundtrack to your bus ride to school. When he moved over to Hot 96.9 to join The Get Up Crew, it wasn't just a job change; it was a cultural shift for the city's airwaves. He’s the spark plug. He’s got that high-energy, quick-witted style that keeps the pace moving, but he’s also surprisingly vulnerable about his life, his family, and his struggles. That’s the stuff that sticks. People don't tune in for weather reports; they tune in to see how Ramiro’s weekend went.
And we can't forget Leroy Irvin.
Leroy provides that essential "everyman" perspective. He’s funny, he’s relatable, and he rounds out the trio perfectly. When you put these three together, you get a dynamic that covers all the bases—humor, heart, and a genuine connection to the streets of Boston. They aren't broadcasting at the city. They’re broadcasting with it.
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Why Morning Radio Still Matters in 2026
You’d think Spotify would have killed the radio star by now. It hasn't.
Why? Because Spotify can’t tell you why the MBTA is delayed again today or laugh with you about a specific pothole in Dorchester. The Get Up Crew leans hard into localism. They talk about the things that actually matter to people living in the 617, 508, and 781. Whether it’s a local charity drive or just debating where to find the best North End cannoli, they stay rooted.
The "Second Date Update" is a classic example of their engagement. Sure, it’s a radio trope, but they do it with a specific Boston flair. It’s messy. It’s awkward. It’s exactly what people want to hear while they’re nursing their first Dunkin’ coffee of the day.
Breaking Down the Impact of Pebbles, Ramiro, and Leroy
Let's get into the weeds of why this specific lineup works so well compared to their competitors. Boston has some heavy hitters. You have the sports talk giants at 98.5 The Sports Hub and the long-standing institutions over at Kiss 108. To survive, The Get Up Crew had to carve out a niche that was both urban and suburban, cool but accessible.
- Pebbles acts as the anchor. Her experience at JAM'N 94.5 back in the day gave her a massive following that stayed loyal when she made the jump. She knows how to steer a segment without making it feel over-produced.
- Ramiro’s return to the morning slot was a masterstroke by Beasley Media Group. It reclaimed a demographic that felt a bit lost when he was off the air for a minute.
- Leroy adds the punchlines. Every great morning show needs someone who isn't afraid to be the butt of the joke or offer the "hot take" that gets the phones ringing.
The ratings don't lie. They consistently perform well in the key demographics, specifically with adults 25-54 who grew up with hip-hop and R&B and want a show that reflects their adult lives without losing that edge. They talk about parenting, they talk about aging, but they also talk about the newest Drake drop. It’s that balance.
Navigating the Digital Shift
Success for The Get Up Crew isn't just about FM signals anymore.
If you look at their social media presence, they’ve mastered the art of the "snackable" clip. They know that a three-minute segment on the radio needs to be a 30-second reel on Instagram or a TikTok highlight. This is how they stay relevant to a younger audience that might not even own a physical radio. They’ve successfully turned a broadcast show into a multi-platform brand.
You see them at the clubs. You see them at the community events in Roxbury and Mattapan. You see them doing live broadcasts from car dealerships in Quincy. That physical presence is something a playlist can never replicate. They are "outside," as the kids say, and that visibility builds a level of trust that keeps listeners coming back even when they have a million other audio options.
Common Misconceptions About Local Radio
A lot of people think local radio is a dying medium run by giant corporations that don't care about the local vibe. While it's true that consolidation has changed the industry, The Get Up Crew proves that talent still wins. They have a level of autonomy that shows in their content. They aren't just reading liners from a corporate office in another state.
Another misconception is that morning shows are only for "older" people.
Actually, the data suggests that commuters across all age brackets still rely on morning shows for a sense of community. When something big happens in Boston—a championship parade, a blizzard, a tragedy—people turn to the voices they know. The Get Up Crew has built that "emergency contact" level of rapport with their audience.
What You Can Learn from Their Success
Whether you're a content creator, a business owner, or just a fan of the show, there are real takeaways from how they operate.
- Consistency is King. They show up every day with the same energy, regardless of how early it is.
- Vulnerability Wins. People connect with the hosts' real-life problems more than their polished "radio personas."
- Know Your Audience. They don't try to be a New York show or a Los Angeles show. They are unapologetically Boston.
Moving Forward with The Get Up Crew
If you haven't checked them out lately, it’s worth a listen, even if just to hear the banter. They’ve managed to stay fresh in an industry that loves to recycle old ideas. To truly get the most out of the experience and stay connected with what's happening in the city:
- Follow their individual socials. Pebbles, Ramiro, and Leroy often share "behind the curtain" content that never makes it to the airwaves, giving you a better sense of their actual personalities.
- Download the Hot 96.9 app. This is the easiest way to catch the segments you missed, especially the "Second Date Update" or their celebrity interviews, which are often uploaded as standalone podcasts.
- Engage with their live polls. They use their digital platforms to drive on-air conversations. If you want to see how the city feels about a specific topic, their comment sections are usually a pretty good (and wild) barometer.
The landscape of media will keep changing, but as long as people are stuck in traffic and looking for a laugh, The Get Up Crew isn't going anywhere. They’ve become part of the city’s routine, as essential as a morning coffee and just as likely to give you the jolt you need to start the day.