10 Questions
10 Questions with Angelique Perrin
Angelique Perrin
Air Personality, Producer
Station: Syndicated- Cafe Mocha Radio
Her Social Media Sites: Instagram, Website
Born: Brooklyn, NY
Brief Career Synopsis:
I was a theatre major who literally was discovered by a PD and morning man from Beasley Media. They put me on the radio doing character voices. My senior year of college I was the hostess at the Airport Holiday Inn in Greensboro, NC. I was serving coffee with one of my silly accents. Little did I know the guys on the receiving end of my silly skit were in radio. It’s like one of those old Hollywood stories but without the three-picture deal with Paramount, fame, or money. I did go on to produce and co-host mornings shows in WPEG/Charlotte and KPWR/LA. I was the announcer for the Keenen Ivory Wayans Show. My character, Acquanetta, was the voice of BET’s Comic View for many years. I’ve produced a few syndicated shows including “The Countdown with Walt Baby Love.” And I’ve done some really cool cartoons including playing a Jedi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. One of my passions is “Café Mocha,” a show I am proud to be a cast member on.
1) Would you share with us everything you’re doing these days?
- I’m still co-hosting and producing Café Mocha Radio with comedienne Loni Love and rapper YoYo.
- I produce art, culture and hard news for public radio.
- I recently voiced a national American Airlines television commercial.
- I’m part of the cast of the HBO Maxx cartoon, Jellystone!
- I wrapped up radio awards season with a new Gracie Award and LA Press Club award for an interview I produced in 2021 ahead of Rita Moreno’s 90th birthday.
2) Could you tell us more about your involvement with Café Mocha?
I got a call from Sheila Eldridge who had an idea for an all-women’s talk show with music. It was right up my alley. So, I worked with everything from developing show ideas to preparing celebrity talent for radio.
The big event this year was our 14th Salute Her/Salute Them awards. Every year we visit our affiliate markets, and we celebrate the everyday woman, man and organizations making a difference in their communities. Past winners range from A-list celebs to start up entrepreneurs.
3) Who were your mentors and influencers in your career?
My mentors start in Greensboro NC with the team at WQMG – Sam Weaver, Skip Dillard, BJ Murphy. It was my first station, and I was allowed to really learn and grow. The team at WPEG, Michael Saunders was a big supporter. Consultant extraordinaire Tony Gray was the first to get me on a syndicated service with another mentor June Brody. Woo hoo. Shouts to the Baka Boyz and Rick Cummings for giving me my first major market break at Power 106 LA. Dick Broadcasting for believing a little Black girl could do Classic Rock. The team at Westwood One for years working in Hot AC with Bill O’Brien. Today’s mentors are Loni Love, Walt Baby Love and all we need is love.
4) What’s one thing you wish you’d known about radio when you first started ?
We’re the red headed stepchild of the entertainment industry.
5) How do you continue learning and growing?
A few years back I went to graduate school to get a master’s degree in journalism. So, I am always learning, growing and finding new ways to diversify what I bring to the job market.
6) What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
An actress.
7) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I got paid in breakfast, so it was the best job ever. My first radio gig was running the Tom Joyner and Walt Baby Love weekend shows, which I was paid for. But because of the character voices, I was also volunteer producer for the morning show. I loved morning prep, writing and producing song parodies and skits. There was no title or budget for the work I was doing, thus the free breakfast.
8) And the best advice you’ve ever been given?
No doesn’t mean no. No means not right now. – Keenan Ivory Wayans
9) What’s ahead for you? What’s the next step?
It’s time for me to get back on the air doing live local radio. I’m on the hunt for a morning show or afternoons in need of a creative, seasoned pro who still loves the biz and shows up to have fun.
10) Would you share some of your funnier radio moments?
File this under embarrassing. Café Mocha has done a few interviews with First Lady Obama. Loni Love got a little too casual and comfortable. And referred to the first lady as “Girl” like they were homies or something. I almost passed out from embarrassment. Loni caught herself and if you could’ve seen the embarrassment on her face.