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10 Questions with ... Shanik 'Neek' Mincie
January 20, 2009
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NAME:Shanik 'Neek During Day/Neek @ Nite' MincieTITLE:MD & Mixshow Dir. /on-air personality (WHXT - Hot 103.9), Programming Assistant (WWDM - The Big DM 101.3)MARKET:Columbia, SCCOMPANY:Innercity BroadcastingBORN:Alamogordo, NM (father in military)RAISED:Neptune, NJ
Please outline your career path.
WRAS-Album 88.5 (Sept. 1995- Dec. 1997) ... WHTA-Hot 97.5 (Oct.1997- May 2000) ... WFXE-Foxie 107 (May 2000 - Sept. 2002) ... WHXT-Hot 103.9 (Sept. 2002-Present) WWDM-The Big DM 101.3 (June 2007-Present)
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I started as an on-air personality ... and my early influences were DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
When I was in high school, we had a class that dealt with mass communications on a small scale, and that really piqued my interest in radio and television. The defining moment came when I was doing college radio and I met Sean Taylor (who was the PD of WHXT at the time... now A&R for Distrubing Tha Peace Records, Ludacris' Label). He told me that he had heard me on the air and he thought I sounded pretty good -- and I should submit an aircheck and a resume to him for some part-time work at WHTA. I knew at that moment that "this is it"!
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes, I would. I would have changed some of the choices I made as far as dealing with some people and not dealing with other people, but that is all part of life and growing -- or should I say growing pains.
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?
More behind-the-scenes instead of in front of the mic. I would love to do some consulting (since there are no Black -- or am I supposed to use African-American? -- female consultants in the Urban radio arena, even though most radio stations target women) and perhaps some artist development. I've done too many interviews and not to say all, but some of them REALLY need some media training badly.You know what I'm sayin' ... you know what I mean ... LOL!
5) How you feel about being asked to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it?
That doesn't really apply to our station. Research is taken into consideration, but if my PD (Chris Connors) feels it's a hit, then the rotation will reflect that and research just reinforces that.
6) How do you feel about syndication? Does it affect significantly on the number of hours that you have control over the music that you play?
Syndication is a gift and a curse all at the same time. Syndication for smaller markets was a great economic solution because you could have entertaining and informative shows for a fraction of the price of hiring local talent. On the other hand, if you have a breaking story or major event going on, certain syndicated shows are out of touch because they are not in the market directly.
Syndication can affect the number of hours that you have control over the music you play, especially if you have more than one that you are airing, but with some shows the PD can opt to not play what the syndicated show is playing depending on how the show is set up.
So to answer your question ... yes and no, depending on the circumstances.
7) Because of callout research are today's Urban and Urban AC programmers going to be slower in adding and playing new music? What is the maximum number of spins a record in power rotation could be expected to receive in a given week on WWDM?
About 30, give or take a spin or two because of the syndicated shows that are on WWDM.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
I would like to gain more knowledge in the sales department because at the end of the day, if it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense!
9) How do you account for and what effect do you feel the continuing ratings dominance WWDM has is going to have on the Columbia market? Do you feel there are going to be new challengers from other formats?
Columbia, SC is a very interesting market. As with any radio station, we have our ups and downs, but for the most part we are a force to be reckoned with. Anybody inside or outside the market knows that when it comes to execution of on-air promotions, hosting and bringing style beyond compare to an event, and giving our clients and the community nothing but utmost professionalism ... of any staff in town, hands down it's us! Plus, it doesn't hurt that WWDM is 100,000 watts and can be heard all over the state of SC.
Will there be new challengers from other formats? Who knows? If so, we will have to continue to keep doing what we are doing and not be shook by change - all change isn't bad! It's all in how you handle it!
How can you be a great captain of a ship if you never have turbulent seas to navigate and maneuver though?
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets, but one missed opportunity. When Eminem was starting up Shade 45 on Sirius Satellite Radio, I had a chance to have my own show and I wasn't persistent enough with the gentleman who was handling programming at the time, so I missed out on that one! Oh well, when one door closes, God opens another one....
Bonus Questions
What would people who think they know Neek be surprised to know about you?
I'm really a shy person and like to keep to myself.
How do you feel about Arbitron's PPM eventually replacing the diary?
There are pros and cons to everything. I think it will be slightly more accurate, but some errors will occur.
You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
Well, first of all I would make sure I've gotten my first check. Then I would get him on the line and say I just won the lotto! Do I really have to give you a two-week notice?
Do you feel that Urban stations should support new artists?
Yes I do, but certain music business things should be in order. First and foremost a artist/group should have their music copyrighted, belong to a performing rights society (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC), be registered with BDS, Mediabase and Mediaguide, plus having songs available at retail stores as well as digital downloads. Build a buzz; once the artist/group becomes a demand in the market, then the radio station will have to supply the audience's demand for that song. It's simple supply and demand
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