From “What’s a Drop?” to the Stage: How I Found My Voice

Everybody has a beginning.

Mine started with a phone call.

My first real taste of the microphone came through IMG Radio Network, an internet radio station in Rancho Cucamonga, California, owned by Gary Johnson.

My longtime friend, DJ Ricky Waddas, was DJing at IMG at the time. Ricky had previously been a DJ at our local radio station, Radio Free KJLH, the legendary Los Angeles station owned by Stevie Wonder.

One day Ricky called me and said he wanted me to do some “drops” for his set, The Quick Mix at 6.

My response?

“First of all…what is a drop?”

😂

I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

But I jumped in anyway.

And something happened.

I started having fun.

The show began gaining popularity, people were listening, and suddenly I had this new creative outlet that I hadn’t necessarily been looking for.

Over time, things began to fade with that particular show, but something had already happened to me.

I had discovered the mic.

I loved being on the radio.

I loved knowing people were listening.

But more than anything, I loved that I could be creative.

And apparently, Gary noticed it too.

“You Should Create Your Own Show.”

Eventually, Gary Johnson said something that would change the direction of my entertainment journey:

“You should create your own show.”

Now THAT required some thought.

Because doing a few drops and having fun on somebody else’s show was one thing.

Creating my own show?

That was something entirely different.

But after careful thought and planning, EMissyK’s Loose Lips Show was born.

What started as an opportunity Gary gave me became something much bigger than I could have imagined.

Loose Lips became an outlet.

A place for conversation.

A place for entertainment.

And most importantly, a place where people could be heard and seen.

Looking back, I realize that’s a theme that has followed me throughout my entertainment journey.

I love the microphone.

But I’ve never believed the microphone should only amplify my voice.

I’ve always loved using the platform to amplify somebody else’s.

That same philosophy would eventually become part of the DNA of Reach LA Angels.

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Then the Mic Took Me Into the Community

Radio gave me my start.

But live events taught me something completely different.

There is nothing quite like standing in front of a real audience.

No editing.

No do-over.

No hiding behind the microphone in a studio.

You’ve got the crowd, the stage, the talent, the unexpected moments and whatever energy walks into that space.

And honestly?

I loved it.

One of the opportunities I’m especially proud of came through Greg Johnson, formerly of KJLH, who gave me the honor of helping curate and host the KJLH stage in Leimert Park for three consecutive years.

KJLH booked the stage, and we helped bring the talent, the live band and the energy.

And we brought energy.

The stage wasn’t limited to one type of entertainment.

We had everything from Black opera singers to comedians such as Jammin Jay Lamont and major acts including Compton AV.

That’s one of the things I loved about it.

It reflected community.

Different sounds.

Different personalities.

Different audiences.

Different forms of Black artistry sharing a stage.

And there I was, right in the middle of it with a microphone.

But again, it wasn’t really about me having the mic.

It was about helping create the moment.

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Baldwin Hills, Relay for Life & Why Community Matters to Me

I also had the opportunity to host and curate the stage for Relay for Life in Baldwin Hills.

Experiences like that reminded me that entertainment can serve more than one purpose.

Sometimes you’re there to make people laugh.

Sometimes you’re introducing an artist everybody has been waiting to see.

Sometimes you’re keeping a program moving.

And sometimes you’re standing in a community where the gathering itself has a much deeper meaning.

That’s why community and ministry work have always held a special place in my heart.

I genuinely enjoy serving people.

And that part of me doesn’t disappear when I’m hosting an entertainment event.

If anything, it makes me a better host.

Because I don’t look at an audience as simply a crowd.

I see people.

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And Somewhere Along the Way… It All Started Connecting

When I look back now, I can see the thread.

IMG gave me my first taste of radio.

DJ Ricky Waddas invited me into the room.

Gary Johnson encouraged me to create something of my own.

That encouragement became EMissyK’s Loose Lips Show.

Greg Johnson gave me an opportunity to take what I had learned and bring it onto a community stage.

KJLH and Leimert Park allowed me to experience what happens when radio, live entertainment, culture and community all come together.

Relay for Life allowed me to combine hosting with something else I deeply value: service.

And eventually…

There would be Reach LA Angels.

At the time, I didn’t necessarily know all these experiences were preparing me for something.

But looking back?

Oh, honey.

Now I see it.

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Reach LA Angels Became the Bigger Platform

Today, when people see Reach LA Angels, they may see an event website.

I see something more.

I see another chapter of the same thing I’ve been doing since someone first handed me a microphone:

Connecting people.

Connecting audiences with events.

Connecting communities with entertainment.

Connecting independent producers with potential attendees.

Connecting people with places and experiences they might never have discovered otherwise.

And giving amazing people, events, businesses and experiences another opportunity to be seen and heard.

That’s why adding my hosting services to Reach LA Angels doesn’t feel like I’m starting something new.

Honestly?

It feels like I’m coming home.

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EMissyK Is Back on the Mic 🎤

Only this time, I’m bringing a little more with me.

I’m bringing the woman who started out asking:

“Wait…what’s a drop?”

I’m bringing the radio personality who discovered how much she loved having conversations.

I’m bringing the host who stood on stages in Leimert Park.

I’m bringing the curator who understands that the right talent can change the entire energy of an event.

I’m bringing the community-minded woman who believes entertainment can also be service.

I’m bringing the entrepreneur who built Reach LA Angels.

And I’m bringing every lesson I’ve learned along the way.

This version of EMissyK understands something the younger version of me probably couldn’t have fully understood yet:

Having the microphone is a privilege.

People are giving you their attention.

An event producer is trusting you with their program.

An artist is trusting you with their introduction.

Sponsors are trusting you with their names.

And an audience is trusting you with part of their experience.

I don’t take that lightly.

But don’t worry.

I’m still going to have some fun.

After all…

Loose Lips didn’t disappear. She just grew up. 😉🎤

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Let’s Create a Moment Together

If you’re producing a concert, community celebration, cultural event, festival, panel discussion, artist showcase, business event, grand opening or special event in Los Angeles or Southern California and you’re looking for someone who understands the difference between simply holding the microphone and actually hosting the room, let’s talk.

I bring personality.

I bring professionalism.

I bring preparation.

I bring community.

And yes…

I bring a little EMissyK with me too.

🎤 Book Erica “EMissyK”

Event Host | Emcee | Entertainment Personality | Event Curator

Founder & Curator of Reach LA Angels

[BOOK EMISSYK TO HOST YOUR EVENT]

Tell me about your event, your audience and the experience you’re trying to create.

Because a great event deserves more than somebody reading names from a program.

It deserves a host who understands the moment.

Published by Erica “EMissyK” Dean | Founder ReachLAAngels.com

If you enjoyed this article leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. – Missy

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