About Me
The Equilibrium radio show is the end result of an evolutionary process that began in the fall of 1990. As rap music continued to become more commercialized, a need was created for an outlet that would provide radio airplay for underground Hip Hop artists. This outlet would come to be known as Hardcore Righteousness it was the first Hip Hop program to broadcast on City College's WHCR 90.3 FM radio station in Harlem, New York City. It was a place where the newest in Hip Hop music and culture was played and discussed. Hardcore Righteousness gave both nationally known as well as local artists a platform from which they could be heard, while allowing its listeners to speak out on issues and topics affecting the Hip Hop community.
In the summer of 2004 Hardcore Righteousness changed its name to the Equilibrium Radio show to better reflect the sense of balance that the show managed to bring to the airwaves. At this point, the show had evolved beyond just being a underground Hip Hop radio program. It now incorporated music that was reflective of all of the different genres including R&B, Blues, Pop, Jazz and even some Country. Its co-founder and lead host, Kwame Vear explains, I had grown as a person, so from a musical standpoint, the show had to grow as well. I wanted to include all of the different types of music that exemplified all of the experiences that we as people go through in life.
Equilibrium plays music designed to educate, inspire and help you unwind after a long day of dealing with the world outside. Its about carrying on the belief that music can help make a positive change. The DJs that I listened to while growing up helped save me from the streets. Says Kwame. We are just trying to carry on the tradition of doing the same. We play good music because we believe that good music can save lives.
Although, over the years, the show has endured both personnel and time slot changes, it still continues to press forward and serve an audience that enjoys the alternative to the mainstream that the Equilibrium radio show provides.
About the Team
Kwame Vear, Originally from the Bronx, Kwame Vear officially started his career as an on air personality while a student at Pottsdam College. Kwame returned to New York City and rejoined the HardCore Righteousness radio show of which he had been a founder. Over the years, Kwame has had the opportunity to interview a multitude of guests including Camron, KRS-One, Ice T, Naughty By Nature, A Tribe Called Quest, Common, and The Late Big L. In addition to hosting the radio show, Kwame Vear is a founding member of the New York Radio Coalition, an organization which served as a haven for college radio stations and mainstream stations throughout the New York area
Barbara De Laleu, better known as The Beautiful Stranger, began her reign in radio as a weekend overnight on-air personality on Long Island's 1 Rock Station WBAB 102.3 FM while pursuing her Masters Degree at The New School University in New York City. She provided "The De Laleu Interviews" during which she takes an unique approach to interviews with some of the most influential underground Hip Hop artists and your favorite celebrities and idols. She is currently the Affiliate Relations Director for the Dr. Laura Program, voiceover talent, and a producer and talent of the Hip Hop Associations Defuse News Radio. Check out and log onto her website www.msdelaleu.com
Priest Forever is an emcee, producer, renegade pimp killa and the resident DJ for the Equilibrium Radioshow. Priest has produced tracks for several established recording artists and even had his song "Hush" featuring KRS-ONE placed on the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game. Recently, Priest Forever was a finalist in the "VH-1 Hip-Hop Honors Freestyle 59 Contest and along with co-host Kwame Vear is one of the founders of the NYC based Hip-Hop comedy show, Damented Mindz. When not recording, you can often find him performing and selling his mixtapes through the internet and at his live shows.
Nee Nee Loves the kids but she loves herself more! Along with being a radio co host, Nee Nee's a comedianne, healer, dancer (in dance class), and teacher (just to name a few). Nee Nee was introduced to Kwame by a friend of the family who suggested he would be the best person to learn from in terms of how to be a radio personality. Kwame then introduced a "New" radio experience to Nee Nee. "It's been 3 years of learning about life and music!" says Nee Nee. "I am now an adult who LOVES "adult hip hop".
CRYSTAL WILLIAMS (Crys Breezy) has been interested in becoming a journalist since she first joined the staff of her high-school newspaper at age 15. It was there she discovered her love for people and writing, believing that “everyone has a compelling story to tell, and they’re just looking for someone that cares about their point of view. I want to help them voice themselves.†While currently pursuing her journalism degree at CUNY City College, she has had the opportunity to study under some of New York’s prominent journalists, including NY1's John Schiumo, Curtis Simmons (her mentor), and Newsday editor Eli Reyes. Crystal was also a former student of WHCR 90.3 FM Station Manager Angela Harden, who encouraged her to explore a career in radio. She joined WHCR’s Equilibrium Radio Crew after interning with the show in September 2007, an experience that doubled twice in its value by not only teaching her the ropes of producing a radio show, but exposing her to the underground/independent Hip-Hop scene. Crystal is also known by her incendiary alter-ego SOHH Breezy of leading Hip-Hop news website SOHH.com’s Talkin’ Videos blog, where she “hates†on the latest Hip-Hop videos and reality shows. Her career has allowed her to interview intriguing people representing all walks of life, from artists such as Kween Ka$h, College Hill’s Tationna Bosier, John O., Famouz, Danity Kane, Day26, and Donnie J. Klang, to various NYC Firemen and Sanitation Workers who tattooed their bodies in memoriam to friends they lost during the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Crystal has also published articles, reviews and blog posts in Black Beat and Right On! Magazines, as well as The Unionist, CCNY’s The Campus and (of course), the Equilibrium Radio Blog (http://eqradio.blogspot.com)
JANINAH JULIET ROSARIO, or you might know her just as Nina, brings the Nuyorican flavor to the EQ fam. Hailing from Bushwick, Brooklyn. She grow up around music being that her mom worked in the music industry for roughly 11 years and her aunt worked in the industry for roughly 20 years. So music has and always be a big influence in her life. Currently a student at City College where she got the opportunity to intern for WHCR and Equilibrium Radio. Janinah prides herself in being an all around entertainer. One of her biggest accomplishments to date is being invited to Ireland and Liverpool overseas with her theatre program to perform. Janinah hopes to learn the business of this crazy world of entertainment and make an impact in and behind the scenes (literally and figuratively).
If you are an artist looking to have your material played on the Equilibrium Radioshow and have RADIO EDITED versions of your songs, please contact us via the e-mail address posted on this website
