DJs emphasize regional styles in hip-hop segment

Print journalism major Alex Pechacek and mathematical biology major Gregorio Ayala play hosts to “Coast 2 Coast,” an evening show on UH’s student-run Coog Radio station from 5 to 7 p.m. every Thursday.

The two were inspired to become co-hosts of the show after discovering that they had a love for hip-hop and rap music ranging from the Midwest, to the east and west coasts — the name of the show then became an easy decision.

“I started my musical journey when I was a DJ in middle school,” Pechacek said. “I then started attending music concerts that inspired me to write about music.”

Ayala brings a fresh taste to the show by offering music suggestions. An avid concertgoer, he has found his niche in music as well.

“Listening to underground hip-hop is what I enjoy,” Ayala said. “The sounds of Dr. Dre and Jay-Z have really made me appreciate music. Talking to people has always been one of my favorite things to do. Now that I have a show where I can do both makes it all worth it.”

Pechacek and Ayala entertain their listeners by playing a variety of hip-hop music.

While the show plays music by popular chart-topping rappers of today, it also aims to please fans of old-school hip-hop as well.

DJ Screw, Outkast and The Notorious B.I.G. are just a few of the hip-hop veterans that the DJs like to include in their show. Both DJs like to keep their show modern by playing music from fan-favorite artists Drake, Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy.

The show gives both Pechacek and Ayala a chance to open up about their personal tastes in the hip-hop genre as well by conduct conversations over the air about the diverse styles of rap and hip-hop music from the different regions of the U.S.

Pechacek, who also writes for The Daily Cougar, likes to keep listeners informed about the music that “Coast 2 Coast” airs, so he makes sure to do his homework on his subjects.

“I get on music blogs an hour a day; it’s like reading the newspaper,” Pechacek said.

The two DJ’s also like to incorporate a little humor in their show.

One of the segments both Pechacek and Ayala have produced was a remake of R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet.” The two called their segment “Trapped in the Studio.”

The comical pair wants to stand out from typical rap radio shows.

“We like to inform our listeners with the knowledge of getting to know a mixture of every coast artist around,” Ayala said.

 

 

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article mistakenly identified host Gregorio Ayala as Greg Orio.