Indianapolis has said so long to Don Williams, better known as DJ Wrekk 1, a longtime and beloved radio disc jockey at Radio One Indianapolis. For nearly 15 years, listeners grew accustomed to his raspy, energetic voice over the airwaves. Throughout this time, he’s also become an important figure not only in Indy radio, but within the hip-hop community.
During his tenure in Indy, he served as the station’s music director, nighttime jock and most recently a midday jock. Prior to providing today’s hip-hop and R&B to Indianapolis residents, Williams spent six years in St. Louis working at numerous radio stations including KMJM, KISS, and WFUN.
Wrekk 1 isn’t completely signing off, but is taking his talent and infectiously fun personality outside of Indiana.
The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper sat down with DJ Wrekk 1 to discuss his love of radio, his Indianapolis career and where he’s going next.
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: How did you get into radio?
DJ Wrekk 1: Radio is something I always wanted to do. When I was a kid, I’d always walk around practicing my radio voice. When I could drive, I was stalking the radio station. And you have to remember, back then, the Internet wasn’t popping, so radio was where people went to first. I wanted it and I went after it. In high school I was in this program for aspiring journalists and I did broadcasting in college. After that I started at “Majic 108.” I started out at the bottom washing the station vehicles then it turned into an on-air thing. It was four years before I even touched the mic. It made me appreciate what I had.
When you initially came to Indianapolis, where were you in your career?
I had been doing radio already for six years. It got to a point in St. Louis where I was ready to do something different and move to the next level and that’s what brought me to Indianapolis. A friend of mine was working for Columbia Records at the time and he said, “Hey, there’s an opening you need to check out in Indianapolis.” I did. I wanted to get away from home and venture out. It wasn’t too far from my hometown so I said, “If things don’t work out I could always go back home.” It did work out and it’s been a blessing to be here this long.
You are leaving Indianapolis… tomorrow… for something new. Is this transition bittersweet?
It is bittersweet. When I’ve been here almost 15 years, it’s hard going in another direction. Especially because of all the love that I’ve gotten here from the Hot 96.3 listeners. I have god-children that I care for and I’ve built relationships with people over the years that I could have never imagined.
The majority of your career here, listeners heard your voice in the evening. What was it like being in that prime time slot?
Yeah, I did that for like 12 years. I developed a loyal fan base during that time. But a few years ago I reached a point where I wanted to do something different. Let’s be honest. I’m 36-years-old working in hip-hop radio. I was way past the target demographic. I love what I do and I love hip-hop, but I thought it was time to open the door to the next generation. I then moved to the midday spot and was able to reconnect with the listeners who were teens when I first got here and now they’re adults.
Thousands of people listen to you daily. Is that a big responsibility?
Sometimes you take that for granted. But I realize it when someone tells me or I look at my Instagram post comments and it reads, “Your intro gets me through work.” It’s there in the back, but it’s not something I dwell on. I’m just doing my job.
What is your most memorable experience?
I have a great relationship with Ron Artest. When he was in Indianapolis and that fight in Detroit went down he gave me the first interview. And to have him in the studio was pretty awkward. To see him go against what his lawyer said so I could have an interview was interesting. As a friend I was like, “I don’t want to put this out there.” He gave me some stuff I could use, but there was a lot to it I turned down. On the hip-hop scene, I’d have to say the incident with the rapper Webbie when he cursed me out. What people don’t understand was that it was all planned – it was a publicity stunt for his album. But nobody believed me even though there was a video of us practicing. (Laughs). It’s so much more, and it’s not all big things. Some are just people who’ve touched my life.
What are you going to miss most about Indianapolis?
My god-children. I’ve always been afraid to have my own kids, but they came into my life. When their mom asked me to consider it, I was like “No, no” but they changed my life. I love them to death. I’m going to miss the friendships I’ve made. The DJs I’ve met. There’s a lot of people who may not be doing huge things, but they’re doing what they can to make the world a better place.
What’s next for you?
I’m going to continue to do radio. I’m telling you this first. I’m moving to West Palm Beach, Fla. and I’m starting a new job as a supervising program director. I’ll be switching to a station similar to WTLC-FM (106.7). It’s a chance for me to connect with adult listeners and be the young, fresh thing with adult listeners. It’s like I’m starting my career over again with a different audience. I’m nervous but excited!
For more information on DJ Wrekk 1, email him at wrekk1@hotmail.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter at @wrekk1.
