Angela Yee

FROM WU TANG INTERN TO SIRIUS RADIO AND POWER105 PERSONALITY ANGELA YEE

INTERVIEW BY DESHAUN JONES

“looking at things from another side, before I was always on the artist side of things.”

Q- How did you get your start in the industry?

A- My first job I was working for Wu Tang and I interned for them while I was in college; I was the assistant to the CEO. After, I worked for Eminem and then for Eminem radio station which was how I was recruited by Power105 radio.

Q- What did you take away from that experience?

A- That was a great first job for me. Most people were never in the office that used to work there, so I had a lot of control. I got to go on the road, deal with finances and payroll, and also sit in on meetings… my boss was cool about that. I would be sitting in a meeting with Steve Rifkin at Loud Records, the president of Epic/Sony, or Silvia Rome at Electric and it was great to see how business was conducted at an early age.

Q- How is managing an artist different from being a radio personality?

A- Really looking at things from another side, before I was always on the artist side of things. Working with artist you’re always running late and people are always canceling things. Now, being a radio personality I’m a lot more understanding than the average person. Also, being on the radio side you have to say, “You guys have to show up on time and show some respect.” It’s definitely not easy to get that slot on the radio.

Q- How did the Lip Service show come about?

A- Lip Service started when I worked for Sirius Radio. I recorded my show at night and my friends used to come up, we would have drinks and talk about girl stuff which was usually raunchy. People liked it so much that Sirius Radio asked me to have my own show.

Q- How did previous relationship experiences play a part in creating the Decision and Relationship advice segments on the morning show?

A- Many people in my life come to me for advice…I’m like an unlicensed psychiatrist. I think a lot of time when we are in a situation, it’s hard to step back and look at it from a rational point of view because it’s so emotional. If you tell me a problem I can give you some insight on what the real deal is because I have my own experiences with guys and friends that have been through so many things, I’ve learned to give good advice.

Q - What was it that made you leave Shade105 to work on Power105 with two other DJs?

A-I don’t think that many people could turn down a job on the number one market in radio. Some people work their whole lives in radio and never get that chance… It is prestigious to be on the morning show in New York City. Hot 97 offered me a spot on their morning show as well and I turned it down to have my own show at Sirius Radio. At Sirius I could develop my show in the way I wanted to…If I would have left and went to Hot97, I would have just been the girl that just does the news and rumors. When the opportunity with Power105 came, they said we [DJ Envy and Charlemagne the God] would have equal roles in the morning show, I felt that it would be a good opportunity to work with two other strong personalities.

Q – What was the best Interview you have done so far?

A- It would have to be Jay Z at Siruis. It was one of my first interviews when I was starting out, I was such a rookie. It was such a funny interview, you would probably never hear Jay Z talk like that at any other interview and he stayed a lot longer than he was supposed to. That interview solidified me at Sirius.

Q - You are known for the saying, “Hoes be winning.” What sparked that statement?

A- That came from when we were doing a report on Kim Kardashian and how much money the Kardashian family is making. It just made me realize and say, “Wow, hoes be winning!” We were actually on the air when, all of a sudden, it just came out my mouth. It wasn’t intended to be an offensive remark. Kim’s fame is based off who she is in a relationship with. It’s like a person can really be “winning” based off who she has been with. I think, in society the most popular people that we pay attention to is women that are promiscuous. The statement is also ironic because the most offensive thing to call a woman is a hoe. It’s like saying, “oh you want to call a woman a hoe, well guess what, hoes be winning.”

Q- Do you feel the same holds true for the entertainment industry and does that affect a hard working woman like yourself on the rise?

A - I think it’s all relative. The rules have changed so much of what is acceptable and what is not, because of reality television. I think men always have been allowed to do what they want to do, like getting praised for their sexual conquests. For women, it’s always been a negative thing. Right now it’s changed a lot, look at Rihanna, people think she is promiscuous and that doesn’t take away from what people think about her. A lot of it has to do with the changing rules in society because there are more women getting into power.

Q - What ways do you help Power105 stay ahead of the competition?

A - We do a lot of stuff virally, by putting a lot of stuff on the internet, and that gives us our edge. Also, we don’t ask typical questions like other stations. We make sure that whoever comes on our show gets to promote what they’re about.

Q- What artists do you listen to?

A- I like Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, School Boy Q, and I still listen to Wu Tang all the time. Santigold, she is one of my favorite artists and her album just came out. And I like Waka Flacka too. I like fun music. If I’m at home, I might be listening

Q- What do you have planned for the future other than being a radio host?

A- Currently, I’m putting a book together. I always wanted to be a writer since kindergarten. I’m also negotiating to do something on TV, so when that works out I’ll be able to talk about it.

Follow Angela Yee on Twitter: @Angelayee

“Jay-Z

at Sirius was one of my first interviews when I was starting

out, I was such a rookie. It was such a funny interview, you would probably never hear Jay Z talk like that...”