In 2001, Alex Resendez and Rafael Barrios, two local Mexican radio personalities, shared the dream of most Hispanic: “To have a successful life in America;" to pursuit their dream they wanted to create a Spanish language radio station in Detroit. A few months later they began to put together a project but they needed someone to finance it, and after knocking on many doors they found Jose Luis Vazquez. Jose Luis Vazquez is a Hispanic immigrant, and a very successful entrepreneur who created his own construction company called “Latin Interiors.” Jose Luis Vazquez saw the potential of Alex and Rafael's project, and became the major sponsor for their first radio program.With the financial support of Jose Luis Vasquez, on July 23 of 2001, the radio station began to program three hours of Regional Mexican Music under the name Vazquez Broadcasting System but later the radio station's name changed to “La Explosiva,” and little by little its audience began to grow; in addition, the radio station was positioned as the only Spanish radio station among the Hispanic community in Detroit; furthermore, many General Market companies began to support the radio station by buying radio spots, and eventually Jose Luis Vazquez hired a new DJ named Ivonne Machado, and he also added two more hours to the regular programming, and “La Explosiva” began to air five hours of programming a day from Monday to Friday.
By 2005, the radio station was broadcasting five hours a day from Monday to Saturday. Over the time Jose Luis Vazquez; Alex Resendez, and their team's hard work was compensated, and a few months later “La Explosiva” became WSDS 1480 AM, the first twenty four hours Spanish language radio station in Detroit, programming seven days a week. WSDS 1480 AM “La Explosiva,” also reaches different counties around the Metro Area such as Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston County. Since then, thousands of Latinos do not feel alone in Detroit because they enjoy the programming of WSDS 1480 AM "La Explosiva."
Vazquez Broadcasting System owns the radio station. Jose Luis Vazquez is the president of the company; Alex Resendez is the general manager, and programming director. Alex is also the radio station’s most popular radio host, his listeners known him as “El Batman." Alex hosts the radio program “El Good Morning por la Mañana;” the most popular show among the Hispanic community in Detroit. Each day from Monday to Friday, Alex programs the best selection of Regional Mexican Music from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
WSDS 1480AM “La Explosiva” plays all Spanish music Super Hits – Songs that have withstood the test of time. This wide selection of Super Hits features Regional Mexican; ballads, and Pop in Spanish; Spanish Rock, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton, and Urban Spanish music. The radio station is also the only Spanish radio station that broadcasts live news from Mexico each hour. WSDS 1480 AM "La Explosiva” is dedicated to the Hispanic community through grass roots marketing efforts which include Health Fairs, Public Affairs programs, Public Service Announcements; festivals, and other events of interest to Detroit and the Metro Area Hispanic community.
WSDS 1480AM “La Explosiva” is the voice of the Hispanic community in the Detroit metro and surrounding areas; the radio station is actively involved with the social; legal, and many other issues that affects or embrace the Hispanic community. One of the most important concerns of the radio station is to teach the audience that in order to success in this wonderful country the community has to be more involved with the American culture and work really hard to achieve the American Dream.