Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Washington.
Rodney, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started back in high school with gaining the love of music. My dad always played music around me and introduce me to music to the point I use to make CDs to sell at school to share the same love of music I had, calling those CDs “The R in Rodney” Mixtapes. When I got in college I got more interested in playing music for more people so I picked up a course to learn radio, learning from some of the greats in Chicago Herb Kent, Devin Washington, Tone Kapone and ShaggNice, Tony Scofield, Teefa, Mike Love, etc.
Summer 2016, I got my big break in being on the radio in Chicago dong a weekend show every Saturday while creating a playlist (before playlist was even out around the world) called “WhatsHotRod” where my vision was to bring notice to artist through social media showcasing their music since I couldn’t play it on radio yet. Eventually, I started to play it on air but the artist that help me push the list was 6lack, DRAM, Young MA, WS Boogie, ChanceTheRapper, JuiceWrld, Calboy, MoneyBagg Yo, etc. I’m currently full time on air M-Fri 7 pm-10 pm and Saturdays 6 pm-10 pm, where I bring WhatsHotRod to life by playing my list on air.
Far as PepRallyTakeover started in 2014 with a group of friends having the idea to bring excitement to school and helping increase the attendance with the youth staying in school and bringing back school spirit. Also rewarding kids that usually don’t get celebrated outside of sports. With PepRallyTakeover we bring a different environment in the school with music and special guest. Some of the guests that came to visit the schools are Dlow, NiaKay, StuntTaylor, Lil Bibby, CdotHoncho, Stunna4Veges, Young Thug, and more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road with radio or my organization. Radio has its challenges with constantly creating, trying to get support from your staff and people in the city, and just some time draining with trying to live two lives of a personality and knowing who you really are. Also a challenge has been trying to push through family issues with my father passing, knowing I can’t see him everyday I come home anymore and hear his voice asking me how was work and how he is proud of me.
Struggles with PepRallytakeover, I would honestly say just trying to get into every school and convincing the teachers that these kids are not prisoners celebrate them on their achievements. Also finding a sponsor to help convert things we want to provide for the youth and schools.
Please tell us about Power92.3 Radio Personality and PepRallyTakeOver.
PepRallyTakeover I most proud of my current team of solid x creative individuals willing to work and push to the limit to make things happen not just for the organization but for our youth and city. PepRallyTakeover is an organization that stands out in so many ways from our interaction with the students when we come visit schools and use surprising kids with guest or even making schools go viral or creating viral moments for example creating the “Suge” train from Da Baby – Suge song creating that at Morgan Park HS in Chicago to raise money for the Cluster Program but turned into a viral movement.
Far as radio what I’m known for is taking a chance on music, introducing the city x world to new artist, and premiering them. ChanceTheRapper, Tobi Lou, Juice Wrld, Calboy, Dreezy, Polo G, Tink, even Young MA & Lil Nas X and more playing these artist before the hype. To many to name.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Stop beating myself up on my journey or searching to be accepted, just be patient I didn’t learn that until 2016/2017 where I was just working and ignoring the outside noise.
Contact Info:
- Website: peprallytakeover.org
- Email: thepeprallytakeover@gmail.com
- Instagram: @HotRod065
- Other: @PepRallyTakeover
Image Credit:
@Stevensjpeg & @theroyaltmedia
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