The station signed on the air on August 25, 1975; 49 years ago (August 25, 1975).[5] Its original call sign was WMPR. It was part of the South Carolina Educational Radio Network, featuring local programming from SCERN as well as network shows from NPR. It became WRJA-FM in 1980.
In 2001, the station, along with WJWJ-FM in Beaufort/Charleston and WHMC in Conway/Myrtle Beach, began airing a separate program schedule from the rest of the SCERN stations. These outlets, part of the "News and Talk Network," began carrying a mix of news and information programs with some jazz, blues and world music on weekends. The remaining stations, part of the "News and Music Network," play classical music during middays and nights with news and information programs during morning and afternoon drive times and some hours on weekends.