I’m in my Operations Manager’s office and I’m talking to him about my dreams of starting a non profit. He offers his advice and support, then gets on the phone. I’m like “did this dude just make a phone call in the middle of our conversation?”
The person he called was a person whom he admired and trusted; someone he knew would help me and give me all the information I needed. He called Angie Ange of WKYS in Washington, DC.
After the small talk, he then said “I have my midday girl in my office…” and she said “Ki Ki Brown Holdin’ it down!!!” Wait! What???? She knew who I was!
I was shocked because I was new to the market and didn’t think SHE would be someone who listened to me. I mean, DC is a top 10 market and who thinks about the midday girl in Baltimore?
(Ki Ki Brown and Angie Ange)
She and I never got together to discuss my non-profit, but I know the offer to help is always open. That’s just the type of person Angie Ange is and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to meet her personally at a mutual friends’ going away party a few months ago.
She and I exchanged information and I was able to get her to set some time aside from her busy schedule to grant me this one on one.
I’m curious to know what makes Angie Ange tick! What gets under her skin? Who was her worst celebrity interview? No spoilers but I’ll tell you that she doesn’t dish the negative. Angie Ang is one of the most positive radio chicks I know and that’s a real good thing!
Make sure you check out her ROYAL HYPNESS, Angie Ange in the Afternoon on WKYS:
Your Royal HypeNess Angie Ange on the miiiiiiic!…or Angie Ange, 93.9WKYS DC Metropolitan/DMV Afternoon Drive 3p-7p
How long have you been in the radio business? Since I was 21 about to graduate from Howard University. I’m 30 now…let’s go with 9 years
What is more enjoyable or different…TV or Radio? I’ve always loved radio b/c of its power to directly connect with people’s minds. TV is a visual medium. With radio, the listener can’t see you so there is a more imaginative component to it. They have to visualize through your words; therefore what you and say and how you say it gets more attention. With TV, we are all obsessed with what you have on, how you look, etc., etc. We are never really paying attention.(lol)
Would you say it’s hard to work with/for women in radio than it is to work with/for men? I’ve never really had a problem with either male or female. They are all people, and people go through mood swings; different when under pressure or stress, etc. I try to learn the person I am working with or for. It’s not about their sex for me. It’s about their character and both male and female can be good and or bad. I’ve seen all from both. I don’t have a preference. It’s only hard if I don’t make all efforts possible to create a positive working environment. Even mean people have a soft side if you look close enough!
(Angie Ange and DJ Quicksilva)
What do you think is the most challenging being a talent in your career?
The most challenging aspect of being a talent especially as a woman is to not be put in a box or relegated to what typically “female” personalities are supposed to do. A lot of times in radio, especially in DC, women are the gossip girls, the sidekick, or part of a team/supportive role of a leading male voice. They don’t lead the morning shows, or night shows, or afternoon drive. They are usually a part of a team, and that’s fun. I started doing the night show with Dj Quicksilva. But I always knew that I wanted to do it on my own. Just be myself. Not myself and someone else.
Eventually that opportunity came my way and Quick was telling me to go for it. It was my time to do my thing, but I received so much push back. It was as if the thought of me doing the show on my own was impossible. I proved otherwise and have done just fine as myself by myself. Then came Afternoon drive! Totally unexpected because I’ve never heard a woman in Afternoon Drive in DC! It’s always been men in my years listening. So when they asked me did I want to do Afternoon Drive I was in total shock. It’s such a blessing because now there will be a generation who grows up hearing a female voice in the Afternoon. It’s going to become a new normal.
That makes me happy because I always admired that “the voice” of NY is considered to be Angie Martinez. That’s power! I feel like I’m up there with the greats who are apart of DC radio history and who all inspired me: Candy Shannon (she was actually my professor at Howard!), Steph Lova (my all-time fav), Olivia Foxx (def the best), Jeannie Jones, Michel Wright, and Rane (my sister from another mister)
Did you (or do you) have a mentor in radio? If so, who are they and what have they helped you on in reference to your career?
My Mr. Miagi of radio is DJ Flexx. He took me in and taught me every aspect of radio. From knowing every single button on the board, to understanding the politics of things, to playing the game. He invested so much time in teaching me because he believed that I really wanted to do what I do today. I was hungry and I was committed and he put me to the ultimate test to make me strong. I didn’t have thick skin at first. He made me tough. I will always (always) look to him on my journey. Most importantly he told me to learn as much as possible because it is the one thing no one can take from me. That’s why I study my craft regularly and I study each department that makes up a radio station…sales, promotions, programming, engineering. I try to master each element. But I get all of that from Flexx. He was and still is my guardian angel in radio. I have other amazing mentors in my life: Adimu, who taught me game. (I started as his intern), and Rane (the only woman I had at the time who could understand everything I was going through. We were connected from day one, and she taught me a lot about being the only girl in a room full of boys! lol)
What was it about radio that struck your interest? I fell in love with radio when I realized I could come to work in my pajamas and no one would even know.(lol)That’s when I knew radio was for me! I was hooked and it had my full interest
What genre of music do you like to listen to the most and why? I’m not a big genre person…I like different music. I’m more of an artist lover than a genre lover…. Badu is my muse…Lauryn is my goddess…Stevie is my spirit…Bob Marley is my heart…Jay Z is my swag…Jill is my soul…Nicki Minaj is my ego. (lol).That about sums it up; not sure what genre that is.
What is your LET IT GO song? (one that you would absolutely lose your mind listening to) “B*tch you guessed it”…OG Maco..lol!!! . (joke) but if I had one, .that would probably be it.
You’ve interviewed a lot of celebrities, was there ever a time you had an uncomfortable celebrity interview where it went terribly wrong? Describe.
NEVER! If the vibe isn’t there, it will be a very short and to the point interview. (lol) Won’t even let it get that far!
Who was the best celebrity encounter and why?
Best celebrity encounter was when I almost got killed by jill scott’s security in Starbucks. Let’s just say I didn’t know they were there. All I saw was her! Until an arm came out of nowhere when I went to grab her and tell her I love her (lol). We all been friends ever since and she asked me if I sang or could rap b/c she was diggin my voice. This story has absolutely nothing to do with radio. (lol) But I had just started at WKYS and was very young looking and I don’t think she believed me when I told her I was on the air, but she played along until she was doing an interview at Majic and I came around the corner again to say hi. I think she may have thought I was a stalker. A few years later I took my best friend Mo to see her at the Verizon Center and we went backstage and she was so awesome to us. She was in love with my hair and we became best friends again (in my head lol)
(Angie Ange and Brandy)
What’s the biggest misconception about you? I don’t know. Perception is reality for most; maybe that I don’t sleep? If that were the case I would have broken down a long time ago… *kanye shrug*
Who do you most admire in the radio industry and why?
There isn’t just one. There are many for a variety of reasons.
What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
“Never Panic”
(Angie Ange and Wale)
What’s the biggest misconception about women in radio?
I don’t’ know…I try my best not to get caught up in others misperceptions.
Where do you see urban radio in the next 10-15 years?
Lots of things are changing…quickly! I’m just along for the ride…I can’t see that far ahead. but I look forward to urban radio’s growth.
(Angie Ange and August Alsina)
What do you think is wrong, if you do, with hip hop and R&B?
Hip Hop and R&B is always evolving. I don’t think that is a bad thing…either you grow with it or grow bitter about it…or just stick with the era you fell in love with; nothing wrong with either way, in my opinion. I’m the type to just be stuck in my era (Jodeci, TLC, SWV, Aaliyah, etc.) until I get in the club! Then I’m down with the new school! (lol)
Who do you think is the most under-appreciated artist out there right now?
Hmmmm….too many to name but I do appreciate the contributions of J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Wale, Janelle Monae, Elle Varner, Teyana Taylor, Logic, to name a few. (lol)
(Angie Ange and Trey Songz)
Who’s in your iPod/radar? I’m still on CD’s…Emile Sande, Janelle Monae, Bob Marley, Teyana Taylor, and J. Cole. (the car only takes 5 CD’s at a time! Lol)
What do you want your legacy to be? I want my legacy to be peace, love, unity, and education. I want to bridge gaps between college grads and college students: college students and high school students, and high school students and middle school students. I want to restore a sense of responsibility to our communities. I want my legacy to say “As you move forward, give back. Help somebody!” That’s all I want people to be able to say about me in the end. That I helped somebody; that is very important to me because many time, somebody helped me.
Biggest regret is….
Not listening to my trainer when I was about 25 and he told me my eating habits would catch up to me.(lol) the struggle is real now…
How can people reach out to you?
Facebook: @AngieAnge
Twitter: @AngieAnge
IG: @GoAngie
www.collegeiscool.org goangie@collegeiscool.org
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER/IG @JustKiKiBrown
FAN ME ON FACEBOOK @MsKiKiBrown
More WKYS DC Radio Chicks:
ThisRadioChickRocks 
Another Stellar Interview!!! Ang you are a Class Act & Continue to be a Role Model for So Many Girls, Women both inside & out of Radio! Keep on Pushing! And Kiki these Posts Save My Spirit Daily!!
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Thank you so much Mugure! I really appreciate your feedback! Seriously! Thank you
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