By Olamide Babatunde
Kemi Owatemi or simply Kemi Smallz is the petite, velvety-voiced presenter at City FM in Lagos. Fondly called Radio Rat by his admirers, the broadcaster has thousands of followers on social media. In this Interview, she shares the highlights of her career, accomplishments and fears.
Tell us about your background and upbringing
My dad is from Ondo State and my mum is from Bayelsa State, so I am kind of mixed. I grew up in Lagos mostly. I studied English at University of Lagos. My dad is an artist; he paints really well, while my mum is basically into interior decoration. I grew up in a house full of colours. It was fun growing up and living with parents who were artists. I am the first of five children.
How did you get into broadcasting at age 14?
I used to participate in a lot of debates and competitions in school, and I was so good. I was the social prefect and Editor-in-Chief of the press club. One day, a guy walked up to my proprietress and asked for my parents’ contacts. He went to them and said he feels I could do television. He was then working on a children’s show, and he said it would be nice if I could do a test run, which I did and he liked it. That was how I got three shows at a go. They are Kiddies Island, Tales Africa, and Generation Next, which used to run on DBN, MITV and MBI at that time.
You are a radio/TV presenter, voice-over artist and budding actress. Tell us all about that?
I love giving my opinions on radio. I love discovering new music and checking out new stuff. I love pushing out good music and I love talking about stuff I have been through and what my friends have been through. I also love talking about stuff that I have watched, read and heard of. I feel it is just nice sharing with someone else, and I feel like in my own little way, I am giving back to the community. As a voice-over artist, it just comes with the territory. As a budding actress, I am still looking for that movie where I would test my skills. I know whatever I set my mind to do, I work hard at getting the big break. As a TV presenter, it is a great experience and it is the same feelings, same vibes on different platforms.
So far, what are the highlights of your career?
I would say the MTV/VJ Search is one of the highlights of my career. Of course, it was an important step in my life. It gave people the opportunity to see what I could do. After that, a lot has happened like Nigerian
Institute of journalism recognising my work in the media and giving me an award for it. And also getting to work with Dan Foster, someone I respect so much, was great. I have had so many highlights in my career.
Tell us about your MTV/ VJ Search experience
It made me believe in myself, that I could be recognised for something. It was nerve racking, a good experience, an eye-opener, and at the same time, it reinforced my belief in myself that I could be recognised for something out of 3,000 contestants. So, it was a good experience.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
To be me regardless of whatever, to like what I like, dress how I dress, listen to what I listen to, to be comfortable being me, being me until when I have found that level of comfort and peace with myself, and then everything else will fall into place.
Your worst fear would be what?
My worst fear would be unable to take care of my parents the way I want. I want to be able to do so much for my parents, and I feel like there is so much I have to do to get to that point where I can say I am comfortable enough to say they are settled and I am proud of what I am able to accomplish for them.
Have you ever been embarrassed because of your small stature?
Embarrassment is pushing it. I don’t think anybody has gone out of their way to embarrass me. Although, there are a couple of opportunities I have missed probably for not being tall enough, but embarrassment? No!
What’s your ideal family time?
Watching movies with people I love. Just watching something nice in a dark room, so it creates ambience, and having plenty of food indoors.
How did you get the nickname Radio Rat?
Hmmm… it was accidental. Somebody just called me that and I
liked it. It is just like saying gym rat, which describes someone who is always in the gym. Automatically, a radio rat is someone who is always on radio. He just said ‘look at you, you are just a radio rat’ and it stuck.