CLASSIC - Ozone Magazine

Ricky PWords by Ms. RivercityMarch 2009 will mark nine years that Ricky Phas been with 102 Jamz in Orlando. Starting atthe bottom and working his way up, Ricky nowhosts the coveted 6 PM - 10 PM spot on 102’snight show.Did you start with 102 Jamz as an intern?Well, I wasn’t actually an intern. I appliedwith them for two years, nagging them andletting them know that I’d like an internship. Ieventually got hired as one of the Street Squadmembers. I was driving the van and doing allthat. And once I got settled in, I reminded themthat I initially came for an internship on radioand if they minded me doing my internshipoutside of my Street Squad hours. I got theokay and that’s how I got into the radio portionof it. But, eventually they hired me after twoyears of nagging ‘em.Have you always had the voice for radio orwas that something you had to develop andgrow into?I never considered it being a voice; I think it’smore of a personality. Some people changewhen they get on radio, but I think if you justbe yourself, people seem to like you more. I’mjust myself, do my thing and talk smack.Do you talk smack in general when you’renot at your job?Yeah, I’m the same way when I’m on the radioand when I’m off the radio. There’s no changein personality. I’m just a laidback dude. I like tohave fun and I just got blessed with a radio job.Are there any other aspects of the radio businessthat you’re involved in?I throw a few parties of my own throughoutthe week and I also work for a couple parties.I started my own company called NightlifeMoguls and I’m just trying to push that ‘causeI know the whole Ricky P thing is not going tolast forever. I don’t want to be that old dude inthe club, but I do want my company to go on.So right now I’m building my brand and mycompany. Thursday night I’m at Hush, Fridaynight I’m at Antigua, Monday and Saturdaynights I’m at Element, Sunday night I’m at Bliss,and every first Tuesday of the month I throw alegendary party at the Dragon Room.As far as the indie Hip Hop artists in Orlando,who do you feel has quality music and potentialto maybe make it mainstream?I’ve always been a fan of TREAL. They workhard. I’m all about dudes that bust their ass.Don’t come up to me and tell me you’re hot,show me you’re hot. I appreciate dudes thatare out here grindin’, like TREAL. KC is killing itright now. I met him behind the scenes workingwith Nasty and now he’s all over the place.I’m glad to see that he’s finally starting to bewell known.As far as your parties are concerned, do youactually kick it and get your party on, or doyou do your thing sober?I’m not the dude in VIP, I’m the dude that’s atthe bar with everybody like, “Let’s get a shot!”The VIP is cool and all, but it’s just not me. I’mnot into being in the back corner, roped off. Ifeel like the reason I’m successful is because ofthe way I act when it’s party time. I may not bedancing, out there doin’ the diddy bop, but I’mmingling with the people and wildin’ out.OZONE MAG // 13