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Rochester, NY
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WDKX Air Personality Profile - Tariq Spence
Tariq is the most tenured member of the Wake Up Club, hosting for 7 years and working for the station since 1999.
The Dean's List met him shortly after he started working at WDKX Radio. He was always very quiet and pretty much kept to himself at first. Once I got to know him, I could tell that he had a true passion for radio. I've been around radio for over 25 years and there are two types of people who work in radio - The one's who view it as a job and the one's who live and breathe it. Radio is Tariq. Not only does he do a great job everyday "navigating" all of the goings on during the very busy Wake Up Club, he knows and understands the business of radio as well. He also serves as the station's Music Director.
There is only one thing that over-shadows his love of radio and that's his love of his family. There's not a day that goes by that you don't hear Tariq talk about his wife and children. He also has a deep love and respect for his mother.
If the Dean's List had to come up with one sentence to describe Tariq I would say, "He is the type of guy that you would like to introduce to your daughter".
One thing you might be surprised to know about Tariq is he has always wanted to go surfing. He is looking forward to a black surfing documentary that is coming out next year.
Tariq responded to the Dean's List questionnaire:
Where were you born?
The Bronx N.Y.C.
What is your favorite:
Food
Homemade Mac & Cheese
TV Show
Just about anything on ESPN, Entourage, 24, Lost and The Unit (I hope they don't cancel the last one!)
Recording Artist
Just One! Damn!
**Hip-Hop - Jay-Z
**R&B - Sade
**Classic Soul - Stevie Wonder
**Rock - U2 (Bono is a cool Dude)
**I also like Biggie, 2-Pac, Outkast, The Roots, and The Dave Matthews Band!
Actor
Mos Def, Don Cheadle, Will Smith and Denzel Washington
Actress
Thandie Newton, Salma Hayek, Gabriel Union and Phylicia Rashad
Dinah Washington
September in the Rain
Movie
Star Wars, Coming To America, MI2 and Ali
Who is your hero?
My Mother! But, I maybe adding to that list depending on what happens in November!
How did you get hired at WDKX?
I was an intern from SUNY Brockport in the summer of 1998. After I graduated, WDKX rescued me. Thank God!
Why did you want to get into radio?
I would listen to the radio all day in NYC Hot 97 Morning (Ed, Lisa and Dre), WFAN (Mike and The Mad Dog in the Afternoon) and back Hot 97 at night With Funkmaster Flex! Then, the summer before I went to SUNY Brockport my mom said you should try the radio station on campus. That was it!
What was the best piece of advice you received from your parent(s)?
When I turned 13 my grandmother said to me "You are no longer a kid, you are now responsible for your own actions". I've carried that with me!
What one thing do you love about Rochester?
Other then the station, the rich history! My daughter would say the Strong Museum of play!
What one thing do you dislike about Rochester?
The snow is cool, but that damn ice!
Describe your perfect 24 hours?
A perfect show with The Wake-Up Club, Brunch with the family, a Baseball game with the family and friends and drop the kids off at grandma's and then dinner with my wife and than............. you know!
What one thing would you change about yourself?
Drop about 25 pounds, but a change is coming!
In one word, what would you say to the owners of WDKX Radio?
Champions
In one sentence, what would you want the person reading your eulogy say?
"In an unfair world, Tariq tried to be fair!"
You can write the Dean�s List at: thedeanslist1@gmail.com
