CLASSIC - Ozone Magazine

“I’m just a young dude trying tohave fun, and that’s going toshow in my music,” says Radio,the 20-year-old R&B singer fromMiami Beach. While attendinghigh school, Radio was inspiredby his peers to start singing– not to become rich and famousas most people would think,Radio simply wanted to pull alot of girls. A few years later,his catchy ladies’ anthems notonly attracted the attentionof females, but also Big GatesRecords. His work with Big Gateseventually landed him in frontof execs at Asylum Records,where Radio signed his majordeal in May of 2008. Now witha world of opportunity at hisfeet, Radio talks about howhe got his start, working withPitbull, future television appearances,and how he hopes tobeCOME the R&B version of Plies.Where are you from originally and how didyou end up in Miami Beach?I’m originally from Hartford, Connecticut. Iwas born and raised out there and I moved toFlorida because my mom wanted me to be ina different environment. At the time, my momand pops were going through some marriageproblems. My mother moved us out to Florida.I was out here for a couple years when I metup with my manager. He was doing somethings with Big Gates Records and trying topop off Plies’ career.Do you feel like Miami is a better city for youcareer-wise?Most definitely. Miami is where I lay my head.It’s beautiful. When I wake up I’m inspired towrite good music. Miami is definitely a goodcity to pop off as an artist.You come up with a lot of records that wouldfit the club scene in Miami. Does the nightlifethere inspire you?I’m a very energetic dude, which definitelytranslates into my music. I’m just a youngdude trying to have fun and that’s going toshow in my music. I can see how that wouldbe good for Miami because it’s a party city.What’s your nationality?I’m half Puerto Rican and half Jamaican. Mymother is Puerto Rican but she’s from Brooklyn,New York. My dad is from Mona Heights,Jamaica. He taught me a lot about my heritageso I gotta keep it real for the rude boys.How did you secure a deal with Asylum?At the time, my manager did a lot of businesswith Big Gates and originally we were tryingto get in the door with Slip-N-Slide. Then, ofcourse, Big Gates’ incarceration set things backand that didn’t go through. But that didn’tstop my manager from working hard to getthat deal. So Big Gates had a friend in NewYork who signed Lil Will and brought Boosieand Webbie to Asylum. I started working withSelim Bouab and he’s the one who flew me toNew York and signed me. He’s a senior executiveat Asylum and also the President of UnauthorizedRecords, the label that Lil Will is on.When did you first realize you could sing?Was it something you were always into?A lot of people started singing as a kid inchurch and stuff. But it was never like thatwith me. When I moved to Florida and startedmaking new friends, it was a group of kids thatsang. I was hanging around all these singersand I wanted to do what they did. They wasgetting all the girls and stuff and I wanted toget girls too. I wanted to [sing] to reach outand talk to the ladies. I was actually discoveredby Carl Hobbs, who used to work with KevinCossom (KC) back in the day. I met my managerwhen I was 16 and he molded me into theartist that I am today. I’m blessed to have himas part of my family.So had you not discovered your talent as asinger, what do you think you’d be doingtoday? Would you have gone to college forsomething?I’d definitely be in college. One thing that Ilove doing aside from singing is cooking. If Iwasn’t singing, I’d probably be cooking it up incollege somewhere, learning how to becomethe next big chef. I always knew in high schoolthat whatever I was gonna do was gonna becreative.You mentioned your relationship with BigGates. Who are some other people you’veworked with?I linked up with Pitbull and Hugo Diaz. They’repretty cool cats. Pitbull definitely gave megame and good advice on how to succeed.He’s a real laidback, humble guy and I love tohang out with people like that, people thataren’t arrogant or cocky like other celebritiesout there. Also, Plies has had a big influence onmy whole career.22 // OZONE MAG