DJ Bonics, who spins for Wiz Khalifa, joins Go 95.3 as midday host
As of this month, DJ Bonics is hosting the midday slot on Go 95.3. Tune in to Minnesota's modern hip-hop channel between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays to hear a host who has built a massive career in music.
"A lot of radio DJs, when they come to a new city, have to prove themselves to their audience," the Philadelphia native recently told GoMN. "Like, 'Hey, I’m cool, I’m speaking behind a mic. Believe me because I’m jazzy. Hey!' People who know who I am because of the experience. You’re not just buying into someone talking behind a microphone."
So, what exactly are his credentials? On top of a decade-plus working as a DJ and a radio host, Bonics has been hip-hop superstar Wiz Khalifa's tour DJ and music director for the past seven years – from South Africa to Saturday Night Live.
When it comes to turntable technique, he's a two-time Red Bull 3Style World DJ Championship finalist. "I’ve always taken DJing as a craft," he said. "Turntablists like DJ QBert, who is also Filipino, made me really believe that there’s a place for Asian-Americans in hip-hop."
Another key ingredient of his shows: Bonics shares some genuine feelings.
After cueing up Chance the Rapper's gospel-tinged "Blessings" at the top of a recent show, he continued with positivity: "Remember, if someone hates on you, that's a reflection of them, not you."
He then laced together three straight from Kendrick Lamar to encapsulate the hip-hop community's anticipation for his latest album, DAMN. It's like that friend of yours with an amazing crate of records – obviously some Wiz exclusives – that he's eager to share.
"Bonics loves the music and lives the lifestyle – add in the fact that he’s great on the radio – and we’ve added another dynamic personality to Go Radio," said Go: president & COO Sam Gagliardi. "He’s a perfect fit."
Find out how Bonics got his name, his craziest tour experience with Wiz Khalifa, and more in the video below.