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Paterson DJ Promotes Under-Heard Artists

PATERSON, N.J. — Juan Perez of Paterson can easily relate to artists he plays on his radio station, "Speak Ya Mind."

Juan Perez, at right.

Juan Perez, at right.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Juan Perez

Perez, 25, wrote hip-hop music before launching his Internet radio station around a year ago.

The goal was to give a voice for "everybody who deserves to be heard."

"This radio station is more like a growing platform for everybody," he told Daily Voice. "For the unsigned, for the under-heard."

The music comes from all over the world, but also from the local area, Perez said.

Paterson recently produced a well-known artist in Fetty Wap, but Perez said it's difficult to make it to that level.

"I know most of the mainstream FM stations aren't doing it the way I think the music industry would," he said. "If you're not qualified enough they won't play you. Here it's like I'll support you no matter what."

Perez went to John F. Kennedy High School and then studied business administration at Berkeley College. He met many artists as he went through life and his connections helped find music for the station.

Perez plans to expand "Speak Ya Mind" and is in the process of trying to fund equipment upgrades.

"My expectation is to contiue to make it grow where I can have people understand that there's hope in the music industry," he said, "that many people can be heard."

TO LISTEN: Visit speakyamindradio.com.

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