CANDELASHOW

Night vibeLa Kalle brings 'Candela' to wee hours of MondayBY RAYMUNDO MONELLWednesday, August 8th 2007, 4:00 AM---------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------The city’s night owls have another reason to push their bedtime back on Monday night.Stef La Kallejera and DJ Cheeky Star kicked off “Candela,” a new Latino hip-hop show on La Kalle (105.9 FM), this week.The live broadcast Mondays from midnight to 2 a.m. vows to break away from the station’s usual reggaetón supply, playing a substantial amount of Spanish rap. “There’s so much stuff in Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo that’s not being played here,” says 22-year-old La Kallejera.“There are a lot of people in Washington Heights, in the Bronx — the same people that want to hear the Arcángel, Los Leones, Mala Rodríguez and stuff like that.” Born Stefanie Stathopoulos, the half Greek, half Puerto Rican Staten Island native developed a following for her street-chick persona as the former host of La Kalle’s show “Gangsta Radio” on Saturday afternoons.“I’ve always been into reggaetón since I was young and I go to Puerto Rico a lot,” said the tattooed blond, who often hosts parties in city clubs, especially in Washington Heights. “I love the Latin hip hop. I wanted a show dedicated to that.”She and co-host Star have already had the chance to develop on-air chemistry.“I used to fill in for another DJ here last year and Stef would always be on the board,” says Star, 36, of the Bronx. “When I would come in I would always be playing new music. ... She was into it and so we always had a good vibe.”The Nuyorican deejay, whose real name is César Lugo, had a previous career as a music promoter. He’s worked for Sony Music, Universal, Jive and Loud records promoting artists like the late Big Pun, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan and Lil’ Kim — to name a few.“I was introduced to La Kalle when I was promoting Tego [Calderón],” he said. Last year, Star moved to the station after a spot opened up Monday’s at 5 p.m. — his first show as a radio deejay.The two approached programming director Pete Manríquez, who immediately liked the idea of “Candela.” “More than reggaetón, he’s into hip hop,” said La Kallejera of her boss.The show will play established as well as up-and-coming artists and mix the music with one-on-one live interviews.“It’s supporting local talent — something to give aspiring rappers more of a goal like, ‘Oh they’re actually playing that? Maybe I could get myself up there if I keep rocking like that,’” said Kallejera.“It’s gonna vibe at night,” she predicted. “We’re gonna attract the workers at night, the parking lot people, people chillin’ on the block. You know, New York City never sleeps.”http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2007/08/08/2007- 08-08_night_vibe.html