Alumni Spotlight : Ife’ Dancy

When radio host and producer Ife’ Dancy (pronounced EEEFAY) started her education at IAR, she only knew the basics about audio engineering. She had been in the studio a few times, but quickly decided that she loved being behind the board way more than singing into a microphone. After some research, she came to IAR and fell in love with the program. By the time she graduated in 2001, Ife’ decided that radio was the right career for her. With her IAR training, she was able to turn an internship at WBAI into a job, and since then she has never looked back!

Over the years, Ife’ has worked at a number of stations as a host, producer, voice-over talent and board operator. She has also done audio production and worked as a Continuity Director for stations such as 107.5 WBLS. For many years she worked at commercial stations like WBLS and WLIB, but ultimately she found a home for herself at publicly supported 99.5 WBAI. Since becoming full time staff at WBAI in 2010, Ife’ has worked as the weekday morning announcer. She also hosts her own over night music program which features genres such as Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Dance Classics and more.

In 2002, Ife’ created an event called the Hip Hop Takeover which currently airs once a year on WBAI. The Takeover is a 24 hour radio broadcast event that is all about Hip Hop. Guests create their own Hip Hop related shows which range from talk radio to all music. Guest hosts include radio hosts, DJs, Emcees, Hip Hop historians, and community activists from the tri-state area. The object of the Takeover is to celebrate the many aspects of Hip Hop culture through music, interviews and live on-air performances. In the past few years much of the Takeover has centered-around honoring Hip Hop’s pioneers and legends, such as Kool Herc, Marley Marl and Kurtis Blow.

In terms of her future, Ife’ has big plans! She hopes to continue hosting shows and ultimately would love to do a mid-day program featuring classic soul, funk, R&B and Hip Hop. (In other words, all the good stuff!) She is currently in the process of opening up her own lounge/club in Brooklyn. She eventually intends to spark off her next career as a DJ, but rumor has it that she has a little more practicing to do. According to Ife’, “I'm still working on those skills. Wonderful thing about being surrounded by the love of all the DJ's in my life, I have plenty of help!”

When reflecting on her IAR education Ife’ has this to say, “IAR was very helpful with learning to record and edit audio for radio. I also have a better ear for sound because of IAR. Not to mention, I was one of only three women in my class, and that helped me prepare for a heavily male dominated industry.” Her advice for current IAR students is to see the program all the way through. She quotes, “Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of yours.” Sound advice from one successful engineer! To find out more about Ife and the Hip Hop Takeover check out http://www.thehiphoptakeover.com/.