-
10 Questions with ... Tarik Moody
November 1, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Raised in Atlanta, I graduated from Howard University with a degree in architecture. I practiced as an architect in Detroit and Minneapolis. While working in Minneapolis, I volunteered for local radio station KFAI (90.3FM), ultimately co-hosting the station’s long-running program “Groove Garden.” From there, I went on to create my own program, “Rhythm Lab Radio,” which I began hosting on Minnesota Public Radio in 2005.
In 2006, I was approached by up-and-coming station WYMS (88Nine Radio Milwaukee) to move to Milwaukee and help start the station. I’ve held several roles at Radio Milwaukee since the station’s inception, including my most recent role as Director of Digital Strategy & Innovation. Throughout my tenure, I have hosted “Rhythm Lab Radio” and been on-air as an evening music host. Now I am going to program our new Urban Alternative channel that’s in the works.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Honestly, it was accident. I just moved to Minneapolis to practice architecture and I wanted to meet new people and I started volunteering at a community station called KFAI. That led to me being a co-host on two shows – “Groove Garden” and “Local Sound Department.” Then I got my own show on MPR’s KCMP (The Current) called “Rhythm Lab Radio.”
2. Who were/are your mentors?
Besides my parents, I considered Joaquin Altoro, CEO of Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority; Mark Keefe, GM WNRN (91.9 FM) Charlottesville, VA, and my fellow Howard University alum.
3. Tell us about your NPR-syndicated show Rhythm Lab Radio.
Created over 15 years ago, Rhythm Lab Radio is a program that redefines the urban sound. The show features a variety of genres from hip hop to jazz to soul to electronic. I play a lot of new artists, but also highlight legends like John Coltrane, Patrice Rushen, Carl Craig and others. Currently, you can hear the show in six cities across the country including Milwaukee
4. Congrats on being named the PD for the Urban Alternative station affiliated with Radio Milwaukee! I understand that you are also involved in spreading the idea of this format in other markets. Tell us about that.
I was hired as a consultant by Paragon Media along with my fellow co-worker and friend Jordan Lee, who is the Station Director, to advise the new UA stations. Honestly, my show, “Rhythm Lab Radio” is an idea of what UA could be.
5. Will you continue your duties on Radio Milwaukee as well?
Some have been distributed to other co-workers and some I’ll still keep as part of my duties.
6. Will this be an HD-2/online channel or will it be on a new signal?
It will be on HD and streaming. But the station will be on the main signal from 9pm - 3am, 7 days a week.
7. What musical spectrum do you envision for the station?
Back in the ‘70s, the term Urban Contemporary was coined by a Black DJ and radio personality by the name of Frankie Crocker aka Chief Rocker. On the New York station WBLS, he pushed the boundaries of music and broke artists from a wide range of genres created by Black people. Crocker was the first to introduce artists from Madonna to Bob Marley to Grace Jones. He even introduced Black audiences to the Clash and their song “The Magnificent Seven,” which became a huge hit for the station. When he coined the term Urban Contemporary, he wanted to represent an eclectic mix of styles from disco to R&B to Reggae to Funk and more. When he died in 2000, New York Times called him the champion of Black radio.
Now, the industry has used the term Urban to put Black artists in a specific box. We aim to reclaim the history of what Crocker created back in the ‘70s for this new format, which we are calling Urban Alternative. To bring back that spirit of discovery and the beauty and diversity of Black music and creativity. We will champion new artists from Milwaukee and beyond that don’t get the airplay on the commercial stations. But also pay respect to the artists that pave the way. Not only that, but we also plan to tell the stories of our community in a new light that mainstream media doesn’t do. And we will invite the community to be part of this journey.
8. I imagine Milwaukee has a great pool of local musicians that will fit your vision. Tell us about that.
Yes, there is so much talent here in Milwaukee and we want to give them a platform whether is on the air, events and more. Milwaukee artists will have a rotation on the station.
9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Risk-taker
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without …
… sarcasm or telling a pun.
Bonus Questions
Are you involved in any charity or philanthropic organizations?
I serve on the board of the Wisconsin’s Veterans Chamber of Commerce, and The Milwaukee Turners.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I love to cook. I’m an avid gamer. I’m also a certified sake professional and host public sake tastings.
-
-