Virginia Beach radio listeners are adjusting to a significant local media shakeup after Brandon Stokes, known on-air as DJ Shaggy, announced he is no longer with Z104, bringing to an end a 25-year run at the station.
Station confirms separation; reasons not disclosed
The company that owns Z104, Audacy, confirmed Stokes’ departure in a brief statement that offered appreciation for his long service but did not provide a reason for the change. In his own Facebook post, Stokes acknowledged the end of his tenure at the station and expressed gratitude to listeners and colleagues across Hampton Roads.
“After 25 years, there’s one thing I can say with absolute certainty: I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together — and I’m grateful that you helped me become someone you trusted to be part of your day.”
Stokes’ social media message reflected both a farewell and an intent to remain engaged in the community. He noted plans to continue running his annual festival and charitable work in the region, signaling that while his time at Z104 is over, his local presence will not disappear.
Local footprint extends beyond the airwaves
Over his career, Stokes developed a profile that reached beyond morning radio. He built and promoted live events, including the music festival commonly known as Shaggfest, and organized community drives such as the Toys and school-supply collection event, Stuff the Bus. Those activities knit him into local entertainment and philanthropic networks across Virginia Beach and the broader Hampton Roads area.
- 25 years on Z104 as a broadcaster and events organizer
- Founder and organizer of Shaggfest
- Organizer of the Stuff the Bus charity drive
Recent legal and professional developments
The past year included several notable changes. Court records show that Stokes pleaded guilty in February to a first-time misdemeanor driving-while-intoxicated charge related to an arrest the previous June. Earlier this year he also stepped away from managing the Haygood Skating Center on Ferry Plantation Road in Virginia Beach.
| Year | Notable event |
|---|---|
| 2025 (June) | Arrest leading to later DWI plea |
| 2026 (January) | Left role at Haygood Skating Center |
| 2026 (August) | Confirmed separation from Z104 |
Audacy’s public statement simply said, “Shaggy is no longer with the Z104. We thank him for his years of contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” Attempts to reach Stokes by phone and text on Friday were not answered, according to reporting.
What this means for Virginia Beach listeners and local events
The exit of a long-running on-air personality can reshape a station’s listener habits, advertising relationships and promotional activities. For many in Virginia Beach who tuned in to weekday shows, hosted concerts and community events, Stokes’ presence was a familiar part of daily life. Station personnel changes may affect:
- Programming decisions and morning-show formats at Z104
- Local concert promotion and festival planning linked to Shaggfest
- Community charitable partnerships that relied on Stokes’ outreach
Listeners and community partners will be watching how Z104 reconfigures its on-air lineup and whether Stokes’ charitable initiatives maintain momentum. In his message, Stokes indicated he intends to keep running Shaggfest and the Stuff the Bus drive, suggesting continuity for some events despite his absence from the station.
For now, Virginia Beach residents who grew up with or regularly listened to the station face a new chapter in local radio. The station and Stokes have closed this chapter publicly; the next steps for both—programming for Z104 and community activities tied to Stokes’ name—remain matters to watch in the months ahead.
