STARCOM Network’s radio personality, Zen The DJ, has been confirmed as the host of the morning show on HOTT 95.3 FM.
Zen is set to be the fourth host in the 24-year history of the island’s number one urban radio station after long standing DJ, Warren “Jon Doe” Forte, suddenly passed away last November following 18 years of morning radio. Cindy Rouse and Cassandra Samuels are the other two personalities to have hosted mornings on HOTT.
The 25-year-old Zen came to prominence following his third place finish in the HOTT 95.3 FM “Come Up” DJ competition in 2018 and since then has been emerging as one of the country’s top young DJs in entertainment circles.
Since Forte’s untimely passing, Zen has been substituting on HOTT’s morning show and shared duties initially with another colleague, Big Red The DJ.
Station Manager of STARCOM Network, Anthony Greene, described Zen’s confirmation as an exciting chapter.
Greene said, “HOTT FM approaches 25 years in December and we are taking the opportunity to reinforce our status as the market leader in the urban space. A big part of this is reinvention and ensuring that we remain dominant among the younger demographic as we position ourselves to continue to entertain the largest audience in the urban segment and satisfy the demands of our advertisers. Zen fits well into this focus bringing a good mix of youthful energy and both DJ and broadcasting skills to the team.”
Describing Zen The DJ as “a vibrant personality who has a warmth that authentically connects with listeners”, Programme Manager, Ronnie Clarke, commented that he saw the young man as a natural fit for morning drive-time on the STARCOM Network station.
“This opportunity is a chance to leverage young talent and continue the legacy of professionalism, technical skill and passion for music that DJ Jon Doe, the Morning Mayhem and the STARCOM Network has become known for.”
Zen The DJ, whose real name is Hasani Wilson, said that he has been able to learn from the best since joining the HOTT FM family in March 2018. This includes DJ Jon Doe and others who he credited with having helped to equip him with the skill to start his new journey.
“The loss of Jon Doe is still sinking in for the entire STARCOM family but I am honoured to take the reins and I do not take the responsibility lightly,” said Zen. The graduate of the Barbados Community College’s Mass Communication programme expressed his enthusiasm and stated that he intended to “continue to provide Barbados and the world with music, information, morning motivation and the drive to get the day going”.
HOTT 95.3 FM, which blazed to number one after its dramatic entry onto the airwaves in December 1997, remains one of the most listened to stations in Barbados and is particularly popular with young audiences, as well as, a large base that has stayed committed to the station since it first burst on to the scene. (PR)