Live365's "Featured Spotlight Station" this week is SexyBlack Radio! We spoke with Curtis Morgan about their setup, what listeners can expect to hear, and the station's favorite songs. Check out the interview below!
What brought you to Live365?
I actually started listening to the Live365 station New Jack Flava and loved it. Then I thought, if they could do it, then I could do it too. I have amassed a huge library of music over decades and I always felt like I had two fingers on the pulse of R&B, hip hop, and the best of most other popular genres (rock, country, pop, jazz, gospel, etc.). I felt that I had the makings of a quality radio station in my eclectic library, so I did my research and created my brand, and SexyBlack Radio, with the help of Live365, was born.
What's your studio like?
My home studio is in the corner of my apartment in Toronto. I'm running it on an iMac, with OS High Sierra (version 10.13.6). I use Audacity to make my bumpers and IDs, and I use iMovie as well. I recently bought the Rode VideoMic NTG mic. It's a beautiful piece of equipment. Right now, I'm using some basic headphones, and when I go live, I use Mixxx.
What can listeners expect when they tune in to your station?
They can expect a curated black music experience. Not the literal meaning of "black music." See, in my opinion, most of the best music, of most genres, whether they are being performed by black musicians or not, have an element of the black experience evident in its makeup. Whether it be in the harmonies, a melody rich with humanity, or lyrics that pierce straight through to your soul, it's in there. That's why the station features singles, deep cuts, exclusive mixes, remixes, and live versions, from artists like Lucky Daye, Christina Aguilera, Johnny Gill, Kanye West, Boyz II Men, The Bonfyre, John Mayer, Janet Jackson, Destiny's Child, and Jamie Foxx (just to name a few). It's songs that span the last four decades, all played together, with the influence of the black experience woven into the fabric and minute details of each track. SexyBlack Radio is a magical collection of sonic moments.
What has been your favorite moment as a DJ/Station Manager so far?
There have been a lot of good ones, but the best is probably hearing from people that this station has filled a void. One person told me that listening to my station has introduced them to a singer whose voice spoke directly to their soul. That artist? Leela James. I was glad to introduce a new source of joy and emotion into that person's life. That's everything to me.
What is the best concert you've ever attended, and why?
The best concert I ever attended was New Edition (all SIX) at Casino Rama, ON in 2012. I have a twin brother and we have been HUGE New Edition fans since their self-titled album that was released in 1984. We followed their career so closely. We did performances as them, we idolized them, we grew up with them. We had seen them a few times before, but the shows were always messed up. The first time we drove four hours to see them in Detroit because they never came to Canada. It was for the Home Again tour. It was SUPPOSED to be all six members (Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, & Johnny Gill). This was the tour that there was a lot of fighting, and earlier in the tour Bobby had apparently kicked Whitney Houston off the tour bus in the middle of nowhere. It was our first time seeing our idols. Only four of them hit the stage (Ralph, Ricky, Mike, & Johnny). We were so disappointed, but somehow, years later, they announced that they were doing a show at a casino about an hour and a half north of where we live. The concert date fell on my brother and I's 36th birthday. We told our family and friends that if they wanted to celebrate our birthday with us, it was going to be hosted by the best R&B group of all time. We somehow landed FRONT ROW seats, we had a group of like 12 people. All six performed right in front of us. It meant everything to be there on that day, with my twin brother who shared the exact same adoration for this group. They hit every step, every note, and it was like they were thanking us personally for our years of devotion.
What artist (dead or alive) would you love to see live, but haven't had the chance to see?
I've seen most of my idols live. One that eluded me was Michael Jackson. I was 8 and living in Lethbridge, AB when The Jacksons came to Toronto for their only Canadian stop on their Victory tour. I begged my mom to fly me to Toronto for this show. She laughed. Everyone else I can say I've been lucky enough to see. In that regard, I have been blessed.
We asked for some of the station's favorite songs. Here's what they had to say!
- All I Need (with Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign) - Jacob Collier
- Lean On Me - Kirk Franklin
- Tell Me What You Want Me To Do - Tevin Campbell
- Can You Stand The Rain - New Edition
- I Have Nothing - Whitney Houston
- Human Nature - Michael Jackson
- Smile - Gregory Porter
- Your Steps Are Ordered - Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ
- Now You're Gone (More Than I Can Feel) - Floetry
- Good Man - RL
Listen to SexyBlack Radio on Live365.com, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram!
Live365 Broadcasters! Want the chance to be featured? Fill out the form at the following link: Featured Spotlight Station Submission Form. (Duplicate station entries will only be featured once. You must have a Live365 Broadcaster account.)
Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants today.
