The EMM is back and we are more excited than ever!

WKDU's Electronic Music Marathon is an annual event featuring 87 hours of nonstop music from nearly 100 Philadelphia DJs with the goal of fundraising and engaging with the local community!

The EMM defines "electronic" in the broadest sense: bringing together funk, ambient, jungle, and everything in between into a full weekend of music brought to you by local talent ranging from up-and-coming DJs to veterans of the scene.

The 2026 EMM will also mark the first time in 2 years that we will be broadcasting the marathon at our FULL 800 watt capacity. This means our FM listeners will enjoy all 87 hours of music from West Philadelphia to Cherry Hill!

In 2024, a severe thunderstorm caused a power outage in the building our antenna sits atop, causing technical issues that ultimately fried our transmitter. Up until recently we’ve been using a transmitter from the 70s and operating on limited auxiliary power. WKDU has spent the past several years funding research and engineering projects to best resolve the issue, and while we are graciously supported by Drexel University in many regards, the budget for the needed repairs and improvements went beyond the scope of what they could provide.

That is where YOU came in and saved the day! Our 2024 EMM proceeds went directly to funding all components of the transmitter replacement, and we raised an astounding $15,000+. These donations were critical in allowing us the ability to do this job and do it right, eventually purchasing a new transmitter from this millennium. As of Summer 2026 we are officially back to transmitting all your favorite KDU programming at a delicious 800 watts.

BUT there is still more work to be done! Our community is celebrating its 55th anniversary and there is plenty of equipment, small and large, around the station that are in need of immediate attention. Similar to 2024, this year’s EMM donations will go directly to supporting the needs of WKDU so we can continue providing you the best listening experience for the next 55 years.

We truly cannot thank everyone enough for all the work and support that has been given over the years, from our small but dedicated student staff, our expansive and generous alumni network, and of course all of our loving listeners. We could not have done it without you. Join us again for this year’s EMM, support your local radio, and go birds!