10 Questions with B96's J Niice

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: J Niice, mornings : Station: WBBM B96 : Market: Chicago : Company: CBS Radio : Born: Jamaica, Queens, NY : Raised: Far Rockaway, Queens, NY : : BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS: : •weekends WITH (Hot 99.5)/Washington DC : •nights at WAKS/Clevelend, OH : •nights at WHYI (Y100)/Miami : •mornings at X107.1/Grand Cayman : •middays at WBBM (B96)/Chicago : •mornings at WBBM (B96)/Chicago : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1. What got you interested in Radio? : I grew up listening to two of the most fun morning shows in the country. Ed Lover and Dr. Dre with Lisa G. on Hot 97 and Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo on Z100. I listened to these shows religiously every morning. Before I ever thought about radio as a career I was a P1 listener. I'd call and even FAX my fav. stations regularly. I tuned in for my favorite features daily. (The HOT 97 ROLL CALL WAS EPIC!) I didn't really know what a huge affect these shows had on me until I first started working part-time promotions at Hot995 while I was at the University of Maryland. Not until I stepped into a studio did I realize how challenging the FUN of radio actually was to execute, but the fun aspect of radio really came natural to me. Hot 99-5 is where I learned how the radio BUSINESS worked and I learned that innovation, talent and creativity are things that are needed and valuable to this industry. : The thought of making a living playing my favorite songs, talking to my favorite artists, connecting with thousands just simply being myself and traveling the country was an opportunity I could not let go. : 2. You and Julian took over for Eddie & Jobo, who were fixtures at B96. What helped ease the intimidation of doing that? : Well at the time it was winter so knowing that the people making threats probably wouldn't make it to my appearances because of inclement weather was comforting. Also even though the company wanted performance our PD Todd let us know that HE wanted us to develop and knew it would take time. We had both done shifts on dayparts all over the clock but never done a morning show or worked as a duo on the air. Despite all that, Todd was positive based on what he knew about us as personalities that we were ABSOLUTELY what he wanted and right for the air-shift and the city. : 3. What's the single biggest thing that you feel you bring to the morning team and show? : I'm pretty well informed and I have a very broad perspective on a wide variety of topics. I can speak authoritatively on things from music and relationships to politics, sports, current events, and travel. I'm usually the go-to guy for info on the show and my personality I guess makes the cliché "voice of reason" at times. www.jniice.com : 4. What's the highlight of your radio career to date? : Our recent numbers prove in my opinion that you don't have to have been a part of any radio "fraternities" or regimes to be an effective communicator, entertainer and friend to a community. Ordinary people with strong work ethic, a love for the art and natural gifts can do this. Some people told me that this wouldn't work, that I should take this experience as an experiment as not to get my feelings hurt. It's kinda' like makin' out with the hot girl at your first keg party. Just be happy you got the chance while she was wasted! The highlight of my career is at this moment doing something that a good portion of people told me could not be done. : 5. Didn't you do TV shows and commercials as a child? Can we get a YouTube link? : Haha. I thought my childhood acting days would be long forgotten. Youtube ensures that EVERYONE at some point gets screeeewed. Enjoy... : http://www.jniice.com/videos/j-niice-honeycomb-commercial : http://www.jniice.com/videos/j-niice-sodalicious-commercial : 6. Do you remember what your boss, Todd Cavanah said to you after your morning show debut on B96? : He said, "Oooooookaaaaay...lets try that again tomorrow..." : 7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)? : Jeff Wyatt believed in me. I broadcasted a show for the first time EVER under his tutelage. Jeff taught me basic radio format and ended EVERY meeting with, "BE GREAT!" : Albie Dee taught me to be comfortable with my own "swagger". He said the same reason I make friends would be the same reason I'll earn listeners. : Dan Mason let me audition a SECOND time when I royally F'd up the first because he believed in what I COULD be. He literally "squeezes" the creative juice out of his talent like one would squeeze an orange...and NONE have reported to HR! :- ) What a great man to work with! : Steve Reynolds helped me discover the TRUE way to bond with people are through common experiences and relating. Find the ways that MY story is his/her story and we'll be friends for life. : 8. Your morning partner, Julian, was known as the "Night Ninja"? Is he really all that tough? : Not only is he THAT tough, but you don't realize you've gotten your ass kicked until he's magically left the scene leaving nothing behind but a trail of Ninja dust and an aircheck! : On the real though, Julian IS the hardest working individual in radio, punto FIN! He will not be out worked or out hustled. I'm fortunate to have him as an ally and a friend and not a competitor. : 9. Care to dish? Was the worst morning show guest you've had an actor, singer or reality show star? What's their name? : Tied for first are Diddy and Timbaland. Diddy was on tour with Dirty Money at the time, and was pretty sick so he decided that he'd eat cereal and recline during our "intimate" conversation together. I was privileged to hear him AND his cereal in my headphones in person! : Timbaland, I had to WAKE UP in the middle of our LIVE market #3 morning drive interview. These two occurrences where COMPLETELY circumstantial of course, and I hold it against neither of these gentlemen but as you can see, much like and Elvis Duran or a Kidd Kraddick, The J and Julian Show is a HIGHLY respected brand in the music industry. : 10. If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be? : I'd be in the Caribbean or South Florida teaching Scuba or working for some agency that needed someone that wants an excuse to dive for money. I'd love to revisit my beginnings in entertainment as an actor on camera or on stage. I'd also love to travel the world and document my journey : Bonus Questions: : Anything interesting going on in your personal life? Hearing rumors about a wedding? : My little sister just beat me in the offspring game. I'm a new uncle, thus making the aforementioned rumor more of a reality than ever before...besides, the couch is getting a little uncomfortable. I'd like to move back into the bedroom very soon so yes wedding sooner than later hopefully!

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