Freestyle Blogs

For many years, I heard about these underground Internet Radio Stations, but never really checked them out. I assumed all I would hear would be alot of static and drop outs… Then one of the guys who were working with me on the La’ MessageBoard asked me if I would like to advertise La’ Entertainment and one of my events on an internet radio station that use to air around 8pm to midnight on Sundays…  It was called the Nino Riff show. I said, “what the hell!” I logged on to the station one time during the week when Nino’s show wasn’t on, just to see what I would hear.  To my surprise, it wasn’t as bad as I had expected, I was actually able to hear music with little to no drop outs and absolutely no static.  I was impressed, and actually a bit excited.  My wheels started turning. I was booking a huge event in Miami that was soon coming up, and mentioned to my promoters that we want to talk about the show on the air, they too were sceptical about Internet radio, but agreed to join in that coming Sunday.

We contacted everyone on our board, friends, family, business associates and artist, then Angel and I sat back and listened to the show. WebMaster Dave was listening too, at that time he was living in Florida. The show was very unscripted and raw. It was as underground as they come, and growing up I was use to hearing traditional radio’s professional format, I must say, the show was a bit comical.

But nontheless, I began seeing something very powerful in it. Nino started taking calls and I couldn’t believe how many people called in, mostly people from my camp around the country. “Wow” I thought, with the right marketing we would have the perfect promotional medium for Freestyle.

The show wasn’t even over yet and I was already telling Angel my plans… She loved the idea and then as usually I contacted my right han man WMDave and told him, “Start learning everything you can about Internet Radio”.  I  contacted Zeke, the person who actually introduced me to Nino, and told him that I wanted to set up a conference call after the show with Nino and him… I had an idea.

I told Nino that I wanted him to put his show under the title La’Radio, (I had alot of nerve hu?) but we kept it on the server that he was already down with. He brought in a co-host from California (Nino is from Chicago), her name was Peebla… Yes, that’s right, the infamous “Peebla’s PlayHouse” with co-host Nino Riff… I was excited and saw a whole new world opening for the La’ Org.

Well, we kicked it off and continued running Sunday nights. We were a big success, eventhough we were very limited. The actually first day on the air as La’ Radio was Feb 14th 2005. It was Valentines and we opened with a show with me and Angel (OCG) called “La’ Valentines with Latif and Angel”  The show was a hit. (It is a Tradition that we do this show every year at the same time, it’s the only time we’re on the air. WMDave was still learning all the In’s and Out’s of Internet Radio and Zeke was talking to other potential show host so that we can eventually expand… Buy this time I was already making plans to invite Nino and Peebla to help form the new 24/7 La’ Radio, but we ran into a small problem when Nino, for personal reasons, pulled the plug on a show and left us dangling in dead air…

We had a bit of a problem now. Nino was running the ship from the start and we were still just learning. WMDave called because he was listening in and we both couldn’t believe what happend!  Quicly, we got Zeke on the line and I had all passcodes immediately changed. I gave Zeke and WMDave 24 hours to get us back on the air, but this time, under our own server… I didn’t care what it cost.

Sure enough, by 3pm, the following day, we were LaRadioLive.com and we were up and running. Zeke, I have to admit, did a great job recruiting the talent we had during that time, with one of the those talents having to be our current Program Director DJ DanSki.

We had so many shows back then, and we were all learning, alot. Zeke, stepped down from his position so we then recruited MixMaster Jay from Dallas, a popular DJ who had gained his popularity from KNON Radio, a station that I have been doing business with for over 15 years.  Unfortunately, Jay’s hectic schedule did not allow him the time that the infant La’ Radio Live needed to grow strong, so we had to replace him.

I consulted with WMDave (many people don’t realize that I consult with WM pretty much on every decision made). And he and I agreed to approach DJ DanSki for Program Director.  I didn’t know Ski that well, but what I did know, I liked.  He was a huge supporter of La’ Radio Live and even stepped up to defend OCG on-line against the phony girls on several occassions, and I found out (I find out everything).

At first, Ski wasn’t sure if it was something he wanted to do, but I thought that this would be a great opportunity for all of us. He knows this music, he’s a born leader, he’s smart and he has the loyalty that we need.  Ski made his decission, and was elected La’ Radio Live’s new Program Director. He’s doing a fantastic job! 

It is beeing said, that by 2009, Internet radio will become one of the primary sources for major corporations to advertise. Every day new technology is boosting i-radio stations up a notch, thank God we’re already down.  Think about it this way… Everyone who owns a computer, owns an internet radio.  Company’s such as Insurance Agencies, Law Firms, Mortgage company’s etc… All have Computers or should we say, i-radio’s in their office. How many have regular radio’s?

Another huge benefit with i-Radio Stations in comparison to traditional radio is, we have the potential to reach more markets.  Traditonal Radio can only be heard regionally, whereas i-Radio can be heard Internationally. See the big picture?

In the early 90′s, Freestyle Muisc was abandoned by Traditonal Radio which caused havoc in the market. Then when demand for Freestyle Music came about, Traditional Radio stuck with the classics, which pleased the audience, but stagnated the market. That was it, no more new Freestyle! Hey, who in their right mind would invest thousands of dollars in a recording if Radio wasn’t going to even consider playing it?

Now there’s La’ Radio Live, a station that specializes in Freestyle. Keeps alive the classics and encourages the new. But how far we take it will be up to our listeners.  If people don’t know about La’ Radio Live, then they won’t tune in.  We so desperately need the support and word of mouth endorsements. If everyone listens to me, and makes it a point to tell just a handful of people about us each day, rest assure, Freestyle, will not only come back to where it was, it will grow beyound that, and we’ll all win!

Don’t forget, LaRadioLive.com is “Freestyle’s #1 i-Radio Staion”

Freestyle 4 Life Baby!!!