DJ Ron Love, currently a DJ on Clientell Radio 91.7, recently helped put Orlando on the map by representing the city during his taping of BET’s Rap City: In the Bassment. OZONE MAGAZINE recently had a chance to chat with Ron about the differences he’s experienced working for both commercial radio and underground radio.

OZONE: How long have you been here in Orlando?

DJ Ron Love: I moved here in 1998 from Jacksonville. I had a show on 93.7 The Beat in Jacksonville, a nice show from seven to midnight. I hosted the show and did mix shows at the same time, which is something I haven’t heard here in Orlando yet.

O: What made you decide to move?

RL: Honestly, 92.7 The Beat gave me my walking papers. I’d had some differences with a couple people on the managemetn team, and to make a long story short, Paco Lopez was my boss in jacksonville, and we had a real good relationship. When Paco left for 102 Jamz here in Orlando, a new ‘regime’ came in, and with the new captain came the new team. He started the Wakeup Posse down here on 102, and when I told him about the troubles I was having in tallahassee he invited me down to try to get in at 102. When I first came to Orlando, he was doing the Street Jams show which was syndicated, so I did mixes for that show which was aired in different markets throughout the country. Shortly afterwards, they got tired of Paco at 102 Jamz, so my involvement with 102 pretty much died at that point.

O: How did you become involved with Dawgman and Clientell Radio 91.7 FM?

RL: I met with Dawgman late one night in July 2001 at an after-hours restaurant. He knew me from playing at different clubs for Front-Line, Rock Entertainment, Hi-Ho Entertainment, and other promoters, so we talked about the possibility of me doing some mixes on his station. For whatever reason, he was interested in having me on the air. I told him that I was honored, but I didn’t sound like the other guys on the station. I have a more commercial sound. His reply was, ‘That’s what we want, for you to come on board and do you.’ That’s what I did, and I’ve been there ever since.

O: So, you’ve worked for both commercial radio stations and underground radio. What differences do you see between the two?

RL: It’s like night and day. I don’t care what anybody tells you - any DJ on a commercial radio station can only play what they’re told to play, and they’re told when to play it and how many times to play it. A radio ‘personality’ is no more than a guy sitting behind a desk hitting the button, because the music is already lined up for them. I totally understand why a lot of people have such a problem with commercial radio stations playign songs over and over and over again. Speaking from experience, being an on-air personality, it’s really not the DJs fault. He’s no different than a machine operator in the factory.

O: Whose fault is it?

RL: The ultimate powers that be. It stems from Program Directors accepting money. A Program Director can accept a new car or a pool built onto their home, but the minute you take twenty dollars to spin a record, you’re out the door. But it comes from way higher up, from the executive offices. Overall, I blame the corporations behind America’s music industry.

O: You recently filmed an episode of BET’s Rap City: Tha Bassment. How did you get that gig?

RL: It was a result of networking, going to conventions, meeting people, making conference calls, and just building up a repoire with people. The guy who helped me get on was just a regular DJ himself, and he got a big break. When we were both just two DJs going after some work, he got a good break and in turn he looked out for me later and offred me the chance to tape BET’s Rap City: Tha Bassment. The show aired February 19th and February 21st, and I’ve posted some photos from the taping on my website, www.DJRonLove.com.

O: What else are you working on right now?

RL: Right now I’m working with a couple of local groups and trying to help them get some major exposure. I’m doing things with Dawgman and the Clientell Family to help them get their groups to the national level. I feel that it’s my duty as a resident of Orlando and part of the music industry to help local groups get national exposure. Just like I rep’ed Clientell on Rap City, in the same way, I’d represent any groups in Orlando.

O: How did you feel about the Orlando Source Awards?

RL: I was nominated, and that alone impressed me because I was up against some heavyweights, big boys in Orlando that have been doing this years before I even came here. I didn’t expect to win, but it was nice to be nominated.

O: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

FL: I’d like to give a shout out to the magazine. It’s another outlet for people trying to do something positive and make an impact through their music, and I’m glad to be a part of it.

- Julia Beverly

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