AMPLIFYING PASSION AND HERITAGE THROUGH AN EPIC MEDIA JOURNEY

When Mekka Magazine caught up with RadioRaymondT, aka Raymond T, it was clear that his love for music and his role as a family man are what define him. He began his radio journey in traditional FM and made a name for himself during his time at XHTZ. When the station’s format changed, Raymond made the bold move into streaming with Slacker Radio, where he found a new space to shine. “That shift was huge for me,” he says, reflecting on how embracing the evolving landscape allowed him to stay true to his passion for music while adapting to the changing industry.

While some questioned his decision to leave FM for streaming, Raymond’s conviction never wavered. “The industry’s about politics and ceilings you can’t always see,” he shares. Despite the doubts, he stuck with it, recognizing that the industry was evolving and he wanted to be at the forefront of that change. Over ten years later, Raymond is still thriving in the streaming space, continuing to elevate voices in the hip-hop and R&B scenes.

Reflecting on Hispanic Heritage Month, Raymond gets candid about representation. “Being brown and coming from California, we’ve always had a strong presence, but getting taken seriously in hip-hop wasn’t easy. While hip-hop is rooted in Black culture, we as Latinos are big contributors too. I always wanted to show that we belong in this space.”

Raymond has also been honored to interview legends like Nas, LL Cool J, Mc Lyte, Kid Capri and Common. He shares a memorable moment when introducing Nas on stage, saying, “Nas told me, ‘Don’t go heavy on the legend stuff. Just feel the crowd and be yourself.’ That was wild. Here I am with Nas, but he’s just so down-to-earth.”

Outside of his career, family is Raymond’s anchor. Recently, he took his wife on a helicopter ride for their anniversary, showing that he knows how to keep the balance between work and personal life. He also makes sure to involve his family in his career whenever possible, from coaching his sons in sports to DJing at their events. “Family is my escape from the grind,” he says with a smile.

Looking back on his career, Raymond offers some advice to his younger self and those trying to break into the industry: “Be smart about where you place your loyalty, and follow your passion early. Don’t get caught up in stuff that isn’t for you, and don’t lose your integrity. The tools are there for anyone to build their own platform, but relationships are what really last. Keep it real, and the rest will follow.”

Raymond is excited about what’s next. With LiveOne, he’s helping push forward the audio platform for Tesla worldwide, and he’s always DJing events. “Catch me on-demand on Tesla Radio or LiveOne.com. And stay grinding, stay brown, and keep pushing forward!”

Before we let you go, Raymond, we just want to say thank you: your incredible journey has been inspiring to hear about today. Your impact on hip-hop culture and radio has opened doors for many, and we truly appreciate everything you continue to do. It’s an honor to have had this interview with you, and whenever you have something new to share, you’re always welcome back at Mekka Magazine. Don’t forget to follow him on social media at @radioraymondt!