Asia: Jane Of All Trades
Interview by Toleya Kamara
She brings a flavorful feeling as an on-air personality who demonstrates her love of music through the same avenue. Striving to make her mark in media she demonstrates what it means to love, live and play the right way. Asia is a consistent reminder of sistas making their presence known behind the scenes with a loud voice.
Toleya: Describe who Asia is.
Asia: Asia is a person who is always learning…she’s a fighter…ambitious, loyal and very intelligent. She’s always thinking of the next move. She loves music and radio is her passion. She’s a radio personality, radio production queen, voice over talent and dj. Radio keeps me going…knowing I’m going to speak to people through simple radio waves is a beautiful thing. I always knew I’d be a broadcaster, but the impact the media and entertainment has on the public is amazing and continues to amaze me every day.
T: Where are you from originally?
A: I’m originally from Hampton, Virginia. Richmond, Virginia is my second home. I lived in Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Macon, Georgia; Queens, NY; Newark ( Irvington), NJ, by the time I was 15.
T: How do you intertwine your heritage and your music?
A: My heritage has a lot to do with my love of music. My mother is Filipino and my father is African-American. My mother’s second husband is from Trinidad. Growing up I was influenced by a lot of mainstream music, pop, R&B and soul because my mother listened to those genres while in the Philippines and after she came to the US. Her second husband immersed us in soca, reggae and calypso, as well as mainstream urban music. I moved to Queens, NY when I was nine in 1990…that’s when I was introduced to hip-hop.
T: What are some musical genres that are displayed in your music?
A: Being a radio producer (radio imaging and commercials), I produce a lot of material for urban radio stations. I use a lot of hip-hop and R&B depending on the station format.
T: At what point did you realize that you wanted to be a dj?
A: I realized I wanted to be a dj when I got into radio. I was always fascinated with djing. Of course, it’s so male dominated…I always had a secret desire to be the one female among a group of male djs doing it better than the men do.
T: Do you play any instruments?
A: I wish I did play one instrument. Was on my way to learning how to play the piano in my early teenage years, but that fizzled after I became more curious with the street than learning.
T: When did you receive your first turntable? What was the brand?
A: Honestly, the first set of turntables I had were a borrowed set, the Heavy Hitter DJ Lonnie B taught me how to dj and let me use a pair of his Technics 1200, the black set.
T: What are some of your trademark techniques?
A: Don’t have any trademark techniques, not yet! I’m still developing my style. But when I do develop my style, djs better fall back.
T: In addition to being a dj you’re also involved in imaging, has that been a fulfilling experience?
A: Yes, I started radio imaging and production first in 2002…I started learning how to dj in 2004, imaging and production helped me catch on to the basics of djing quicker. Dj'ing is like a form of radio production, you’re using turntables to create sound and blend music instead of using a computer program; however with Serato you’re using a computer program to dj.
T: Who has been your mentor?
A: Who hasn’t been my mentor? Many have influenced me in so many ways…My dj mentor, DJ Lonnie B; my radio mentors: LaDonna Monet, Lamonda Williams, Reggie B, and Dee Dee Renee. My production mentor: Jay Carneal.
T: What kind of turntables do you use?
A: I was using the Technics 1200s. I have to invest into another pair. It’s hard out here for a pimp.
T: What type of mixer do you prefer?
A: I do have a mixer…a Numark DM1050…I started learning on a Vestax mixer, which was very simple, but the Numark mixer is MUCH simpler to use. I think it’s a great mixer to learn on, seeing a lot buttons on a mixer may be a little overwhelming at first, but this mixer is very simple it has your volume and the crossfader; very simple.
T: How do you manage being a dj, an on-air personality and having a hand in the areas of production and imaging?
A: I manage very well, I’m always changing my interests every three months, I may be inspired to really work at being a better personality, then a better production chick then so on and so on…in my world, music and radio go hand in hand every single day.
T: What is the name of your radio show? What are some of the topics discussed? What was the most memorable show?
A: Don’t have a name for my show…I’m Asia…on from 10am-2pm. I talk about whatever I feel like talking about for the day. Whatever the hot topic is locally or within the entertainment industry is something I may address. My most memorable show was the last show I did when I was working in Richmond, VA on a mix show called, “The Sunday Nite Mixtape,” with DJ Lonnie B. We had an inside joke, I was the host, he was the dj…but my last show with him was very emotional. Lonnie and the mix show gave me my first on-air experience…and to leave my foundation and the best radio partner I think I’ll ever work with made me a little sad. I left Richmond to work where I now work and reside, Cincinnati, Ohio.
T: Are there any other areas of media that you would like to get into?
A: I’d love to transition into TV. I’d like to host a music show like Rap City or Direct Effect…something like that.
T: How long have you been in production?
A: I’ve been in production for three and a half years.
T: Are you a music producer also? If not, would you like to?
A: Don’t do music production; however my interest may head there in the near future!
T: What needles do you use for your turntables?
A: Shure needles were the ones I used.
T: Do you mix your records by order or spontaneously?
A: The brief time I mixed in front of other people…I played it safe. I played familiar songs when I got the opportunity to mix that was easier for me!
T: What are some of your favorite records and why?
A: Don’t really have a favorite, but I was told by DJ Lonnie B and Skillz (your favorite ghostwriter!) when I started learning how to dj, to use records you know and use those until you have some techniques down…so based on that rule, I always practiced with Ciara, “Goodies,” and Brooke Valentine, “Girlfight,”…those songs had similar tempos and I was terribly familiar with them…we played it on the radio over and over and over! Let me add this disclaimer, they aren’t my favorite records, though.
T: Do you sample your own beats or do you use other sources?
A: In production, I always use artists’ beats. For example, I may be producing a commercial for a Jay-Z concert; of course, I would have to use Jay-Z music.
T: What should djs be doing to prepare for the constant changes in the music industry?
A: Keeping their ear to the streets. I’ve watched more experienced, successful djs constantly do their homework. They ask around to see what their potential listening audience would like to hear more of.
T: What are some of your upcoming projects that we should look out for?
A: You should always be on the lookout for anything that I do. I haven’t done a mixtape…I’m definitely going to smash that up soon.
T: What advice would you give to other females that are trying to get into the industry?
A: Advice to other females trying to get into this industry: Be yourself, be honest, and stick to your guns. Develop thick skin and aspire to achieve your own level of excellence, don’t ever base your goals on being as good as the next man. I made the mistake of doing that early on and realized that just doing your thing and being the best will always make you better than anyone. Unfortunately, you will always have to work twice as hard as a man to prove your deserving of a shot, but as a woman, no matter what you do it always looks muuuuch better.
T: Where do you envision yourself ten years from now?
A: 10 years from now…I’ll have my own radio production company. My dream is to be able to do voice work and production from the basement of my house and make crazy dough! I’ll be a program director of an urban station…or an A&R of a record label or a singer who knows? I know it will involve music. The day I stop doing what I love as a job is the day I give up and I don’t give up.
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