Hip-hop culture and rap music is only for people in their 20s and younger, right?
Maybe when it was first invented in 1973 and slightly afterward when the genre was still in its infancy stages. But since hip-hop is now 46 years old, there are people who’ve never stopped being fans since childhood, and they’re nowhere near the age of 20 or 25.
Rickey Smiley is certainly one of those fans, and he talked about how he’ll miss playing hip-hop music on the “Rickey Smiley Morning Show” once he takes over the “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” in January 2020, after Joyner retires.
Smiley’s show is hip-hop, R&B and urban news based, while Joyner plays music that falls on the side of adult contemporary, which Smiley said will be a major adjustment for him.
“The only thing I’m going to miss, I’m really going to miss hip-hop,” he told Atlanta Black Star on the red carpet of Black Music Honors, which took place in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Sept. 5
“And now I’ll be sitting up here playing the Four Tops, pass away in my sleep,” Smiley added. “No, I’m just joking. I’m excited about the opportunity.”
But although the excitement is there, the radio host said he’s not surprised about the Joyner opportunity opening up, and he used a school analogy to explain why.
“When you get all your credits you expect to graduate,” he explained. “So it ain’t no surprise because you know, that’s what I do. We have a great morning show.”
Word first came about Smiley taking over for Joyner in June of this year, after Joyner hosted his show for more than 20 years.
Once Smiley starts the new gig, he’ll be joined by Gary Wit Da Tea and Eva Marcille, who’ll be his co-hosts. He’ll also broadcast the show from studios in Dallas.
Joyner gave a statement about Smiley being his replacement and believes he’s the perfect person for the job.
“I’m confident that Rickey’s activism along with his love for radio, the community and HBCUs will pick up where we left off,” said Joyner when the announcement was made.
