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Darren Hosang-Rudder, popularly known as DJ Glorious Gonzo is a DJ and Production Manager who has been in media and entertainment for almost twenty years. After getting his start as a teenager on the now defunct 98.9 YES fm, he went on to work at Boom Champions 94.1 fm and has played at some of the biggest events in the country.  Through his story, we are reminded that if you really love something, you will make the sacrifice and if what you’re doing, isn’t going to make you happy, what’s the point? This is DJ Glorious Gonzo’s journey:

Growing up, my life wasn’t particularly hard nor was I ‘privileged’ in the traditional sense. I had a relatively average childhood, being raised by a single mother. Although I went to two of the country’s most popular schools: Rosary Boys’ RC and St. Mary’s College, I won’t say that I was the brightest bulb in the box. I wasn’t particularly great at sports either. When most people knew what they wanted to be when they got older, I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself. That’s a scary place to be, because it sets you in a very comfortable place and I don’t think any great person ever came from settling for ‘comfortable’. As the saying goes, “nothing grows in a comfort zone.”

“I fell into music by chance really”

At St. Mary’s College, a few friends and I put together a quartet to perform in a school talent show but we needed a ‘mix’ of songs to perform to. Luckily, one of us, Jayron “Rawkus” Remy, had a cousin who was a DJ. The day we went to his cousin’s house to record the mix, was the day I fell in love with music. After the talent show, we formed a small sound system called “Lil Ruffneckz” and played at school discos and house parties. Soon after, we were given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work at 98.9YES fm. We were only sixteen years old when we started at this station. I vividly remember working on the overnight shift (from midnight to 5am) and leaving the station after 6am when it was light out and going straight to school for 7am. We would try to sleep for a bit until class started. In retrospect, this was kind of a disgusting practice but this was my introduction to media and the working world.

“I strive for authenticity and want our work to represent us and sound like us”

Fast forward to 2010, I was promoted to Production Manager at Boom Champions 94.1 fm, five years after joining as a DJ in 2005, when the station launched. Unlike other producers, I don’t make beats or play an instrument. As Production Manager, I primarily deal with the imaging & audio identification of the radio station/s that we service. Through my job, I am charged with creating the ‘sonic signature’ of the station, which is part of what makes each station sound unique. We create the packaging, colour, design, or style for the radio’s brand. We try to ensure that everything we do, matches the station’s voice and personality.

With every job or task, we strive for authenticity. In the past, urban radio production sounded very American; very generic and tame. We decided to take a different approach because we aim to be purposefully true to the audience we attract: from the language to the cultural references to the voiceovers, written copy, sound effects, and artists we set alongside our brand and everything else. We always want our work to represent us and sound like us…Trinbagonian Youth! This, paired with a similar approach with our on-air team members and the way we present the music we played, all make for a product that hits a wide cross-section of music that all of T&T could relate to.

“I am humbled and proud to be part of the team that helped us get to Number One”

I started in the radio landscape at a time when 96.1fm was the number one radio station for over 16years and another competitor, RED96.7fm launched some years later with their “Star Power Radio” and a very popular team of announcers and DJs. In 2014, nine years after launching, Boom Champions 94FM was declared as ‘the most listened to radio station in the country’. I am humbled and proud to be part of the team that helped us get to number one. We continue to hold our own and provide a great platform to our listeners.

“My mother empowered me and allowed me to explore this non-traditional path”

Throughout my journey, my family, especially my mother, helped me tremendously. She empowered me and allowed me to explore this non-traditional path by giving her love, support and encouragement from then to now. I was also extremely fortunate to have loyal friends like Jayron Remy & Hans Des Vignes in my corner. They have been here with me for almost my entire career.

While I don’t think I had a formal ‘mentor’, there were many people who gave me the opportunity to experiment and explore music, DJing & production. Maurice “Maggie” Jackman taught me how to DJ, how to mix songs, and put together music in a way that people could enjoy. O’Brian Haynes allowed me to start working on 98.9YES fm back in 2002 and Glen Howard (Programming Director of Boom) taught me about playing music for a radio audience. Andrew “Piper” Bowen was the one who introduced me to radio production before I eventually went to school to learn more about the fundamentals. Stuart Gillette has also been one of the most loyal people I’ve worked with as a DJ. He gave Hans and me the opportunity to perform at almost every event he’s been a part of: from SOAKA Til SUNRISE to HARTS Carnival and more.

Some other people I look up to across industries would have to be Colin Greaves, Head of Public Relations at Digicel Trinidad & Tobago; Derrick Lewis, Director at Eventology Limited and Lecturer at ALJ GSB and Martin “Mice” Raymond, Professor at the Academy of the Performing Arts , UTT. I was fortunate to have their counsel at pivotal points during my academic & professional growth. Without hesitation or the expectation of reciprocity, they have always provided invaluable knowledge when I reached out.

“If it’s not going to eventually make you happy, what’s really the point?”

Each person’s journey is unique but for those still searching for their path, I would say to find your passion, set a goal, and make a plan to get there. Passion makes the work feel easier, goals give you a direction and a plan, keeps you focused. But, above all, you have to do what makes you happy! Whether it’s music, finance, medicine, advocacy, or selling nuts: if it’s not going to eventually make you happy, what’s really the point.

Darren ’DJ Glorious Gonzo’ Hosang-Rudder, holds a Certificate in Digital Media Studies – Music Technology (UTT, 2012) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Performing Arts – Theatre Design and Production with specialisation in Sound. As a DJ with over eighteen years of experience, he’s played on some of the biggest stages on Trinidad & Tobago’s event calendar.