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10 Questions with ... Toshamakia
September 1, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
In 2002, I started in the music industry releasing my debut single, "BE YOURSELF" in the Connecticut area. I began performing and touring in the business alongside Angie Martinez. That led to appearances on 106 & Park, The Carson Daly Show and the WB Morning Show.
I started in radio at WZMX/Hartford. My first fulltime position was doing nights in Philadelphia. At the same time, I did a show on SiriusXM with Monie Love. I went on to be morning co-host at WJMH/Greensboro. I left radio for a couple years before returning to WJMH to do afternoons. While in Greensboro, I started tracking middays at KQKS and after a market visit, I fell in love with Colorado and moved out here and later moved to afternoons.
1. What got you into radio?
I started out as an artist/singer. I was on tour and I came back to Connecticut for an interview at Hot 93.7 and Victor Starr (my PD now at KS1075) offered me a part time position. He said I was a natural and loved my energy. He said I had a voice for radio. I went back on tour and later had my team reach back out to him to begin training and never knew that I would fall in love with radio and the listeners like I have.
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a child?
A doctor. I wanted to deliver children. I love taking care of people. It’s who I am and what make me happy. So because I didn’t become a doctor I bring that love and care on air every single day.
3. What was the biggest change in the move from Greensboro to Denver?
The altitude! lol. Honestly, my family and I went through a lot moving here to Colorado. We had a nightmare move, where many of our things were either missing or broken. From a scam moving company. We lived in a hotel for about eight weeks, and due to us not having a home at that time and living out of a hotel, the schools here wouldn’t allow me to get my sons started and that was stressful. I then later got into a car wreck and my car was totaled on the evening before my birthday while leaving work.
I will say this, I feel like ALL of that was a test to see just how bad I wanted Entercom/Denver and no matter what I wasn’t going to let any of that slow or stop me at all and I’m thankful for that mindset even when my family and I were mentally drained.
I love it here and I’m thankful to feel that love back from our listeners. They keep me going.
4. Other than Denver, what's been your favorite market to live in?
Philadelphia was very special it gave me back my freedom but North Carolina gave me back my life. I found myself there and I’ll never forget that. Everything from the food, to the people, to the love that state has for others down to the family feel, meant the world to me there. I LOVE my listeners there. They went through a lot with me and never knew it. They are my family. North Carolina has my heart for sure!
5. What's your favorite song on the station right now?
Right now, there are many artist I’m into like Roddy Rich, Jhene Aiko, Lil Baby and Da Baby but my favorite record? That would have to be “Cant Breathe Again” by Ameazy, Chy Reco, Ramond and Wil Guice produced by Mic Coats. They're artists coming out of Colorado and they're AMAZING! With so much happening in the world and in our culture, many celebrity artist have created magic with music for Black Lives Matter but this record is better than all of them. It’s the most powerful record that I’ve ever heard in my life and it’s a record for everyone. You have to check it out to see for yourself. You’ll thank me later.
6. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
When I left radio in 2013 (before returning in 2015) I turned my garage into a gym and helped many change their lives for the better. I felt motivated to do that after losing 120lbs and wanted others to feel strong and unstoppable just like me. So, if I wasn’t in radio I'd open a gym and do it all over again.
7. What has the Covid-19 pandemic taught you about yourself?
The Covid pandemic has taught me to slow down, to get better with money and savings. It's taught me that anything can happen and that every day isn’t guaranteed. Although we all know that, seeing friends or loved one pass due to it was a game changer. I love being home when I can be but it taught me that its okay to do nothing (which is hard for me)
My family and I are close already but it's helped to get us closer and tackle many things we never had the chance to. Who I was before the covid which was positive, I told myself I have to come out even better on the other side of this and I will.
8. What has the Covid-19 pandemic taught you about others?
It taught me that others are much more caring than I thought and that many I know are very selfish. It has been a very eye opening thing, but I'm thankful whether good or bad, its all been a lesson.
9. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
I'm not into reality shows anymore. I used to watch them but they would cloud my brain with negativity. I wish there was a positive one. I do love Ellen’s Game of Games on NBC. I’ve always looked up to Ellen and I would love to be on that show or Family Feud. I’ve ALWAYS loved that show. I think I would be great at either.
10. These are tumultuous times for society and on so many levels. Any simple hopes and dreams for America in 2021?
Equality for all.
Bonus Questions
In non-pandemic times, someone says to you, "What do you feel like for dinner?" What's your go-to?
Ooohhh! That’s a good one! I love seafood, BBQ and Soul food.
Low budget pandemic entertainment: You get one movie, one TV series and one recording artist. What are your choices?
Movie: The Wizard of Oz
TV series: Law and Order
Recording artist: Oh man! Whitney Houston -
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