When it comes to music, 5Star Akil and DJ Watty are calling their own shots. Christened Akil Borneo and Ewart Mundy, the two energetic personalities make one dynamic team at the progressive urban station, SLAM 100.5fm. Dubbed Drive Mode, their segment is proving a force to be reckoned with and it's not hard to see why. For three hours from 3pm Monday-Friday, they give fans just what's needed to keep them entertained and locked on. A natural when it comes to the mike, 5Star Akil has music pumping through his veins. With a 15-year career in the entertainment business under his belt, the St James native confesses that his experiences, which include being shot several times last year, have given him a more balanced perspective on life. His brush with death has only served to strengthen his faith, making him that more determined to succeed. "Words can't describe how I feel. I didn't know I would have been here today. I put God and my family first. They give me that extra push," he said.
More energy
5StarAkil doesn't just talk the talk, his enthusiasm and dedication are evident in his work. His partner and fellow music enthusiast, DJ Watty, who honed his skills over the years by playing in parties and various events across the country, is just as serious. For the 26-year-old St Augustine Senior Comprehensive music major, a career in the industry was always on his agenda. What does he bring to the SLAM team? "A different vibes. A different feeling...More energy," he said. And how did he come up with the sobriquet, Watty? With a laugh, he stated, "It's just a nickname from home. Ewart was kinda hard to remember so people just started calling me Watty and it stuck!"
Redefine the concept
The Drive segment is helping to redefine the concept of urban music with a hybrid of musical styles, ranging from dance to dancehall music. Keeping fans in the know with the latest news and entertainment features and on their toes with interactive sessions such as Choose Your Artiste (CYA), Guilty, Not Guilty and Loud Up, the team continues to garner positive feedback from old and new followers. Slamming all your favourite hits, Akil and DJ Watty turn up the tempo a notch or two on Fridays when they gear listeners up for the SLAM Party Weekend. And on Saturdays from 9am-noon, they do not disappoint with the segment, aptly called, Fire Through Your Speakers. "This was my dream job, so I definitely give it my all," noted DJ Watty. Describing himself as "hyper" but "always happy" he stated that teamwork is the secret behind the partnership's success. "When Akil's energy and my vibes come together, it's great!" And just in case you haven't yet switched, Akil and DJ Watty beg the question: "What on earth are you waiting on?"