In a freak combination of events, today’s guests and I were able to link up and do a Q&A. These gents are two friends, and fellow DJs from WUOG 90.5fm, the student radio station here at UGA.
Akeeme, more well known as DJ BlacqueStarr, is the host of the Halftime Hip-Hop Show. It airs Fridays from 9pm to Midnight, and covers the underground reach of the urban music world. He’s been at the helm of the show for 6 years now, and his creative regime has brought the station (and the Classic City) a wealth of hungry new artists—some of whom have collaborated and jammed on the Triple H S, as it’s called. He’ll talk about the prior hosts of the show, and his mission with the program, its’ features, the international syndication deal it has, and what hip-hop means to him as both a music form and a culture. Also, he’s taken the show on the road to successful events in Athens and beyond. He’s also a DJ for hire, and a double major in Psychology and (what else?) Music.
F. Stanley Julien (or Fabrice for short) is the host of Spectrum, a full circle news program on WUOG. Politics of the day, music reviews, movie analysis soundbites and the other goings-on in the world were the focus of the monumental series. It ran from 8-10pm on Saturdays at the station, and gathered a devoted following. Spectrum is making a long awaited return to the airwaves this Fall, and Fabrice goes into the details.
Fabrice and Spectrum took a sabbatical from WUOG at a certain point in time, and this is one of many things that Mr. Julien has in common with Mr. Martin. Both are remarkable examples of the high quality program here at 90.5, though they incredible momentum required a break period from their respective hosts. Why? You’ll find out here, and learn about the passion of your unique visions, and why a rest can be needed for to preserve whatever visions or ideas you “move and shake” with.
I’ve worked with these two gents quite frequently in my tenure with the station, and the natural ease we have with each other shows as we fly from topic to topic. Poetry (both have done their share, particularly Fabrice with a series of projects), hip-hop flashbacks (the dearly missed Rap City show), our experiences in the world of college radio, friendly pop shots fired in at the characters of the entertainment biz—-you’ll get this and more.
While no bloodletting is gone for in the sparse diatribes you’ll hear, no punches are pulled either.
They’ve put a lot of work in, and the chatter goes well into it, so some of their collaborations and insight will be withheld by this writer for the sake of good suspense.
Two busy and distinguished gentleman are Fabrice and Akeeme, but generous enough to share their views and advice, and the steps they took which led them to be part of The Movers and Shakers Project.
(Note 1: F. Stanley/Fabrice has a spoken word poetry album currently out—his 4th one to date—and a link will be posted shortly)
(Note 2: They are kind enough to mention the radio show I did at WUOG, Beasts From the East/Touyou Kanon 東洋神音. Not needed, but I’m grateful for the shout-out. Shoutouts to Jamie Diamond, Miranda Lee, Koty Brown, Lina Wood, and the family of folks who contributed to our 2-year run at 90.5fm. I will be helming a podcast version of the show very soon, and Jamie and Koty will be continuing the format at WUOG in the fall, the Awesome Diety Power Level Music of Japan!)
(Note 3: If you’re not in the Athens, Georgia vicinity to turn your dial to 90.5fm, you can access WUOG via the streaming link which is www.wuog.org/live)
MAS Interview Pt. 1
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MAS Interview Pt. 2
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