King Sharif is an On-Air Host/Personality and Model that can be heard weekday nights, 7PM-12AM on 101.1 The Wiz. He hosted at the recent Ubahn Fest and is starting a showcase for local artists and developing "The Takeover Tour" which will be hitting different High Schools and Colleges in Cincinnati.
We grabbed him while we could to get to know the new transplant to Cincinnati.
Give us some background on King Sharif…
I'm originally from Harlem, New York by way of the Bronx. With a Background in Media and Communications, Broadcast Journalism, and Theater. I attended Delaware State University, Five Towns College and Suny Old Westbury. Having Multiple Degrees in Communications has led me to becoming an Elite Media Personality. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn the entertainment business interning at BET Networks, LRG Clothing and transitioning to a part time position at Hot 97 in NYC, CBS Radio and later becoming a Full Time On-Air Talent here in Cincinnati. Being the Oldest of all my siblings has been one of my strongest asset which has played an intricate part in the development of leadership abilities. Working to develop my brand and receive co-signs from some of media's biggest influencers in the hip hop community and pop culture world as made me a well-rounded TV and Radio Personality and Actor to date.
What do you love about working at The Wiz?
I love the wiz for the belief that have in me. The Wiz is a major outlet and a very important part of the Cincinnati Culture. I often meet people who talk so highly of the station and take time to explain what the wiz means to the community and multiple generations who have been raised listening to 101.1 The Wiz. The Wiz is important for so many reasons. There is a lot of new things being created with the wiz. There are lots of new things that The Wiz offers from the diversity and the creative juices that flow from department to department. I'm just so excited to know that I will be a part of an epic roll out for the year 2017. My Team at the Wiz is incredible and We all share the same space of loving to entertain and engage with people and most importantly make people laugh and smile.
What has surprised you about living in Cincinnati?
I've learned a lot about myself and others living in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is a great place and it's a place that's evolving every day. There are tons of restaurants, a new and improved night life that's developing week to week, not to mention the incredible underground and multi-genre music scene that has its own style and spark that has still yet to be discovered fully. I like all the things that Cincinnati had to offer however I love all the things that Cincinnati is creating. I'm just glad to be a part of this new artsy and music lifestyle that stems from the Cincinnati Culture in relation to the Midwest culture.
Give us your guilty pleasure music artists…
You'd be surprised. I listen to different kinds of music. Of course, I love hip hop so on my iPod you'd find guys like J-Cole, Fabolous, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Future, Kanye and list goes on. But then you would see Big Baby Dram, A-Boogie, The Chainsmokers, Bruno Mars, DNCE, 21 Pilots, DJ Snake, Jon Bellion, Florida, Justin Bieber, Phresher, Dave East, and Camron. I'm just so all over the place. I love music and I don't limit myself to one genre of music. What I listen on any given day depends on my mood. Depending on how I feel when I roll out the bed can easily determine my daily soundtrack lol.
What is next for King Sharif?
Well, Aside from being on 101.1 The Wiz Monday - Friday 7PM - 12AM and Saturday's 3pm -7Pm I'm heavy at work to release my website SharifDKing.Com so I can make easier for people to see what's going on with me from my schedule to my hosting ventures and collaborations. I have a Web Series on the way titled "Lit Decisions" and a podcast hitting iTunes titled "I Can Make You Famous." I'm so siked because I'm starting a showcase for local artists and developing "The Takeover Tour" which will be hitting different High Schools and Colleges in Cincinnati. The New Year is close too so I have my Merch dropping for those that wanna support the "King Sharif" Movement. I'll be hosting some big tour dates via SXSW etc. there are a long list of other projects I can't talk about right now but I'll make sure you guys have the details first. I will say this, I'll be on your local and national TV screen soon. My first Emmy is near lol.
This was your first year attending Ubahn Fest and also having a chance to participate as well, right?
Yes. Ubahn Fest has a special place in my heart. It was my first year attending and I was given the opportunity to host on both stages. Cincinnati has showed me so much love. It was also the first time that Jon Bellion, Travis Mendez and Blaque Keyz of Beautiful Mind and myself touched the same major stage. We all went to school together and for us all to run into each other in Cincinnati and to get on the same stage was everything for me. That was confirmation that dreams do come true and we all followed our heart went after our dreams.
How can people find you if they want get in touch?
On All Social Media, I have the same Handle.
Snapchat - SharifDKing
Twitter.Com/SharifDKing
Instagram.com/SharifDKing
Facebook.Com/SharifDKing
SharifDKing.Com
