Best Urban/R&B 10Q Moments of 2022

This week, we look back at 2022 with the best answers to some of our best questions.

Sam Weaver
Editor/Urban/R&B Promotion/Columnist
All Access Music Group (AAMG)

"I've been given a lot of good advice over the years, but in this moment, the one thing that stands out is something my grandfather told me, "Sometimes let the other person think they're in charge." While explaining this concept, he also said, "During a discussion, never rise to the level of another person's anger. No one can make you angry unless you allow it."

Kelly Mac
Currently Voice Track Specialist/Motivation Speaker
Former PD/Air Personality for KTCX/Beaumont, TX

"My grandfather was quite an amazing inspiration (God rest his soul). He fought and survived WW2, The Vietnam War, The Korean War, and battled racism in the 50's and 60's as well. If that's not a sure sign of strength and inspiration, I don't know what is. I'm also inspired by my radio and record colleagues who are entrepreneurs and have ultimately created multiple streams of revenue outside of the industry. We all know nothing lasts forever, including a radio career."

Lionel Ridenour
Founder/CEO
Anchor Promotions LLC

"Anchor is a label service company, something that Top40 and other formats have used for years. The concept is not unique but the application in the Urban space is new. Anchor is one of the only Black-owned fully staffed urban radio and marketing company in the business. It's been overdue for Hip-Hop and R&B artists to have access to 'major label' Urban radio promotional services."

Benjamin Burnside
Pres/BB The King Creative
Creative Services/DeDe McGuire Show & Cafe Mocha

"Going to sleep on the air. I was working as a personality, doing overnights. I remember telling my PD at the time that I was super tired and needed a break. He dismissed it every time. Well, we were having a big contest where we were giving away a BMW-well a club was giving it away, and we were paying off the winner at 2am from the club -live on the air. Needless to say, I fell asleep right before the payoff break. I didn't wake up until the air talent that was at the club bursts into the studio with about 10 people begging for me to wake up. We paid off the winner at 3am. That didn't go over very well, but I did keep my job."

Little Bacon Bear
On Air personality
WKYS Washington, DC

"Umm, hard to say. I'm proud of myself and my own tenacity. I don't cheer for myself very often and a lot of my work is done with others in mind. I fight silent battles just like anyone, but I adapt the best I can. I don't always get everything right but I'm always trying. I'm proud of my supporters and loved ones --the ones that get it, get it and the ones that don't. There's been so many days, shows, or times when I've had my face in my hands but have pulled it up all together because of the people I serve and their need for my success. They meet me where I'm at, even if that means being a light when I'm low. I'm proud of their love for me."

Traci Thomas
Morning Show Producer
KBLX, San Francisco

"It's all about growth, having all that experience in different departments is such a benefit. Jumping from my programming duties to back inside the studio felt worlds different from the first time: I now have a thorough editing portfolio, social media skills, and my direct knowledge of the music we play on 102.9 KBLX put me in a better position to produce again."

Brian Douglas
VP/Operations
Audacy Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point

That Radio programming is about one thing and one thing only. Focusing on the listeners and only the listeners and sharing an experience (usually having fun) along with them every minute, 24/7, 365. It's that simple. Taking that approach felt like the part when the Wizard of Oz switches from Black and White to full color; ohhhhh, yeah.

Supa Cindy
Morning Show Co-Host
WEDR, Miami

Recently doing afternoons DJ Entice and I were going into a talk break, we discussed what we were going to do like 5 minutes before but for some reason as soon as he cracked the mic my mind went totally blank. So, as he's doing the opener, I'm signaling him in a panic with my hands "what are we doing?" and he answered live on the radio, "No Cindy it's a talk break" live on the radio and then I had the nerve to answer him "Oh about the guy that cheated on his girlfriend?" and he replied, "Yeah" then we just went into the break. So, we basically had our show prep talk live on the radio. We were hysterically laughing in disbelief when we went into commercials.

Reza Sarrafieh
National Dir. Of Promotion
Roc Nation

To balance digital and radio for promoting an artist, it's a matter of timing and amounts. First you lead with a lot of digital, then you transfer that to radio, but then you get more targeted and specific as you engage radio and work in tandem. They complement each other very well and I think when done correctly and in order you really win that way.

Maurice Wilkey
OM
Emerson College WERS/ERS+, Boston

My advice to would be air personalities is diversifying your abilities and always, always strengthen your abilities to write and/or convey your passions and ideas. Constantly update your resume and social networks, I should take my own advice more. I can remember a time when all you had to do was just concentrate on just radio and had have a strong voice. Today, you have to be able to do more, blog, vlog, podcasting, host, create online content, generate a following, be video savvy - in front of and behind the scenes. Create your unique brand personality. Be aware radio as an industry has changed economically and may not always sustain your lifestyle.