The radio station went on-air in 1999. Originally owned by Red Rock Radio Corp., it was a KQDS-FM simulcast. On January 1, 2017, KBAJ was sold by Red Rock Radio Corp. to Lamke Broadcasting and rebranded as "J105 The Thunder", still keeping the classic rock format.[2] The sale, at a price of $200,000, was consummated on March 1, 2017.
On November 1, 2021, the station and its sister stations were sold to Steve Hallstrom and Scott Hennen, branding themselves as Rapids Radio.
In the winter of 2017, KBAJ became the broadcast home for championship Grand Rapids High School hockey.
