THISDAY Style

iNiABAsi itAMi

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tell us how you got into radio broadcasti­ng.

I had always wanted to be a broadcaste­r, a radio host to be precise. So, I got involved with the radio station at my university. I got involved with everything that had to do with broadcasti­ng, including becoming an intern at an actual radio station. I was the only intern they allowed go on air (at night of course!), but it was an amazing experience! I learnt a lot. I developed this husky voice I had no idea I had. And I think the best part of it was being able to listen to so many people talk about what was on their minds. After this particular period, I made up my mind I was definitely going to do radio, and the only radio station that appealed to me at the time was Smooth.

Why is the Kazbah, the show you anchor, a must listen-in show or rather why should it be regarded as such?

The Kazbah is different, very different. It’s an acquired taste and it rolls off the tongue quite nicely once you get used to it. I would say it opens your mind to a world of amazing possibilit­ies. Listening to The Kazbah will get you thinking of how you should appreciate music more. And I mean good music. It is also a show that will get you thinking about your roots, and how maybe you should leave your desk and travel to South Africa for a few minutes.

how much of an influence does the station’s preferred genres of music have on your personal life. in low times, bad moods, would you listen to soul? in good times, would you listen to club classics?

Oh, a lot! I find myself listening to Afrobeat during traffic. I have a playlist of Manu Dibango, Femi Kuti, Tony Allen and co. created especially for traffic. Soul music doesn’t help for bad moods. I just eat a cookie or a muffin (blueberry to be precise) when a bad mood lurks. But, I listen to soul music EVERYDAY. Sometimes, I feel I walk according to the music I listen to. And when somebody asks me a question, I almost hear Jill Scott speaking instead of me. Blame it on Smooth. And in good times? I’d go with gospel and some old school RnB. It’s the only way to go.

What is your favourite part of being on-air?

Stacking good music together! Creating a seamless flow of a medley of songs that people are probably thinking about, and then being able to dance in the studio by and with myself. It’s liberating!

What does smooth fM mean to you and what has made the last five years of working here special?

Smooth FM is my go to world. I will call it my garden. I’ve been growing. And then, working with some of my favourite people makes every day at Smooth special. People who look out for you. People who are constantly teaching you. People who tell you the truth and don’t mince words about it. People who want to see you make it. That’s special. Creating a seamless flow of a medley

of songs that people are probably thinking about, and then being able to dance in the studio by and with

myself. It’s liberating!

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