Today we’d like to introduce you to Shondricia Bulaba
Hi Shondricia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started radio on the campus of Clark Atlanta University at WSTU, the station for the students. I went on to do internet radio, AM and FM. I had a show at an underground station for hip hop artist on the Westside of Atlanta at Nuradio.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all! You may love something from afar, but once you get up close and knee-deep in the gritty, gritty, you start to see things you never knew, and that love may fade. Since high school, I realized I was passionate about radio, but it certainly hasn’t been an easy industry to break into or anything I thought it was. It’s a job at the end of the day so the dynamics of any job are there in regards to the everyday menewsha. However, learning about all the things that happen in the background of radio and working at a station changed my perspective. Radio was a lot more liberating in college and a lot more freedom, specifically with the music I could play and actually having a personality.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an on-air personality and the self-proclaimed “Authority of Female Rap.” I find that many of my constituents who comment on female rap artists aren’t females and tend to downplay their talent, which is often overshadowed by drama. It’s as if male rappers don’t beef. In the words of The Queen of Rap, The Nicki Minaj, “Rap is a sport.” I’m most proud of touch everything in radio there is. I’ve literally done it all! From college stations, underground radio, internet radio, AM, FM and podcast. What sets me apart is my personality. I’m not a celebrity who transitioned into radio; I’m someone who grew listeners organically by being myself. I’m not afraid to give my opinion, and I’m not trying to be a celebrity. I really want and strive to bring real radio back that is backed by the people. Play the music the people want to hear. Bring back the days when people could make radio request and actually play them.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Steve K, JR, Kathleen Cooley, Stagga Lee, Diane and Wanique from WRFG 89.3 FM gave me guidance and an opportunity to be on FM. Steve K and Kathleen gave me so much hands-on training and guidance. More than I learned from being at any of the bigger stations in the city.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: blkoutlounge
- Other: Shon Belle Noire on Stationhead
