In this compelling interview, Reggie Hawkins, Operations Manager for Taste Radio/LITT Live(formerly Dash Radio) along with having the roles of Music Curator, Radio Programmer, Podcast Producer, Audio & Video Editor and Interviewer, opens up about his remarkable journey through the music and radio industry. From his early internships at record labels to landing a promotions gig at WQCD/CD 101.9, and working for Hot 97 in its early days, Reggie’s path was always leading him toward radio.
His role at Hot 97 helped shape culture, and he worked alongside and coached legendary talents like DJ Envy, Angela Yee, Sway Calloway and more. Reggie also reflects on unforgettable moments, such as Jay-Z bringing out Michael Jackson at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in 2001, and his involvement in the viral “How Sway” interview between Kanye West and Sway on Shade 45.
Throughout the interview, Reggie discusses his deep love for Hip Hop and R&B, highlighting the genre’s global impact, and shares the experiences that molded him into the industry leader he is today. Now, as he helps guide the future of radio at Taste Radio/LITT Live, Reggie offers invaluable advice to the next generation looking to break into the music industry, emphasizing the importance of learning from past mistakes and staying grounded in knowledge, wisdom.
The Source: Tell me how you started in the Music Industry and who gave you your first opportunity?
Reggie Hawkins: Out of NYU, I did several internships at record labels, but my heart was always into radio. I applied at WQCD/ CD 101.9 for a promotions and got an interview with Connie Avila. She hired me for the promotions gig, but when I discovered WQHT/ Hot 97 was in the same building, I saw my future.
The Source: What were the experiences that you can remember that molded you into who you are today in your current role?
Reggie Hawkins: I’ve been apart of shaping culture which is most inspiring and keep me motivated. I was on that Summer Jam stage when Jay-Z brought out Michael Jackson. I worked with and coached air-talents like DJ Envy, Angela Yee, Star from Star & Buc Wild, Amanda Diva (now Amanda Seales), DJ Self, Sway Calloway, and even Joe Budden on radio.
The Source: Which interview that you have done was the most impactful?
Through Def Jam records I coordinated the viral “How Sway” Sway & Kanye West interview. The amazing Renada Romain was supposed to interview him first, but due to Sway’s history with Kanye she allowed Sway to go first. The rest is history. While I wasn’t the interviewer, I’m proud I helped orchestrate the moment.
The Source: Can you touch on your love for Hip Hop & R&B and the culture as a whole?
Reggie Hawkins: Hip Hop is our music, not our parent’s. Thus it makes me proud when you see all the places it penetrates. From politics, sports, and everywhere in between, I love how a culture built out of desperation is now giving globally.
The Source: Who are your favorite artists past and present?
The culture is rich and vast narrow down a top whatever, but let’s start off by asking myself how amazing it was to hear “Rapper’s Delight”… woah!! The storytelling of Melly Melle in songs like “The Message” or Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story”. How about the Black Nationalism and knowledge we found from Public Enemy on, It Takes A Nation of Millions to hold us Back. How about Hip Hop going global and commercial with Run DMC. The God MC Rakim. The first GOAT named LL Cool J. Whodini. The birth of gangster rap with NWA. Biggie & Tupac, Jay-Z & Nas, How about OutKast planting a flag for the south? No Limit and Cash Money Millionaires outta New Orleans!!! Luke and the 2 Live Crew! Ja Rule & 50 Cent, Eminem, Drake & Kendrick, etc. It’s impossible to talk favorites from Hip Hop culture.
Reggie Hawkins: What advice would you give to anyone looking to break into the music industry?
Know the difference between knowledge and wisdom. If you saw your heroes fall in a ditch, fail, indicted, incarcerated, murdered, arrested, go bankrupt, become addicted, lose their masters, and you succumb to the same fate, that makes us the fools.