Behind the Mic with Radio Royalty

When did we start suntanning and who made it famous? In the early 1900s, having a suntan was associated with blue-collar work outdoors; it was not posh. That was until Coco Chanel accidentally got sunburnt while vacationing on a yacht in the French Riviera in 1923. Instantly, having a sun-kissed complexion became a symbol of lifestyle and leisure.

Kevin Minter-Brown’s afternoon drive radio shows on Radio PlayZN are filled with interesting facts like this. As a seasoned broadcaster who cut his teeth at Radio Port Natal long before it became East Coast Radio, Kevin is radio royalty, and as such, he does far more than just spin the decks. Kevin talks up intros like nobody else, leaning back when he raises his voice, so he doesn’t scream into the mic. He also knows exactly how much he can say between song sections. Watching him during a recent studio visit was a revelation.

Radio has changed quite a bit since Kevin’s East Coast Radio and Durban Youth Radio days, mostly due to the influence of social media. Everything is now live-streamed on TikTok. Listeners have become viewers, and broadcasters now perform for the mic and the camera. No more picking your nose during songs or coming to the studio in your pyjamas; broadcasters are now on-air all the time. 

Before cameras entered the studio, very few people knew Kevin was naturally twitchy and can’t sit still. Now his jittery demeanour has been laid bare for all to see – something he admits was an adjustment. The most significant change, Kevin jokes, is that listeners can now talk back! During songs, there is a constant flow of “hello Thapelo, hello Rashida” as he acknowledges and responds to viewers watching and commenting on TikTok.

The PlayZN studio sits directly underneath Hooters and features two very large glass windows looking out onto a busy intersection. Passersby wave and have fun dance-offs with presenters while live on air. The view of the intersection during rush hour traffic is a story on its own. Watching everybody forget how to use a four-way stop is hilarious.

Sitting in the studio, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in Miami. Tall palm trees, shiny high-rise buildings, the ocean, humidity, stylish people and Kevin’s incredible music make you want to shake a hoof. 

As the sun made way for the stars and the streetlights started waking up at the end of his segment, the energy of Umhlanga became invigorating, enough to make you feel like going out and painting the village red!

Photos: Jacqueline Herbst