Joy Prime TV Host, Justice Kpekpo Maxwell, nicknamed, KMJ, has revealed that his first major break into radio came through an unexpected source, Facebook. 

Speaking on The Career Trail on Joy Learning TV and Joy News, KMJ recounted how years of unpaid hustle and consistent learning eventually paid off in a surprising way. 

“I got my first radio job through Facebook,” he said. 

He disclosed that his media journey began with shadowing radio presenters who doubled as DJs in Accra, even though he was not earning a pesewa. One of the personalities he closely worked with was DJ Willie, who was hosting Drive Time on Top Radio at the time

“I used to carry their CDs on my head and follow them everywhere they went. At the time, DJ Willie was hosting Drive Time on Top Radio. I was like a CD boy and also acted as a producer. I would carry his bag, go to the studio with him, help set up, and then we’d move from one pub to another because he had gigs almost every night,” he shared.

While many saw him as a background assistant, KMJ was quietly documenting his journey online. He began sharing event updates and behind-the-scenes content on his personal Facebook page. 

“When I was doing all these, I was posting them on social media. Back in 2011, social media was still new, and everyone was just doing their own thing. So I would attend events and post what happened,” he revealed. 

Eventually, someone sent him a message that changed the course of his career. 

“There was this man, Oliver Desbordes, who sent me a message via inbox saying he loved what I was doing. He said, ‘I have a new radio station coming up. If you don’t mind, I want you to be part of the team,” he recounted. 

KMJ noted that initially, he was skeptical.

“I thought it was a scam, so I told him, ‘I don’t believe this is true. If it is, prove it.’ So he sent me his number. But for a whole week, I didn’t call because I was scared my phone might be hacked,” he admitted.

After a week, the man followed up with another message, prompting him to finally respond. 

“He said, ‘You still haven’t called. Can you leave your number?’ So I dropped my number. Then he called and asked to meet at Accra Mall. He introduced himself as a boss at a radio station in Koforidua and said he wanted me to join his team. I told him I hadn’t done radio before, but he said he saw something in me,” he narrated. 

Still unsure, KMJ asked for time to think, because the idea of relocating to Koforidua and starting a new life was daunting. 

Eventually, they met again. This time, the man brought with him a draft of the Drive Time show, designed with KMJ in mind. 

“About 3-4 weeks I hadn’t gotten back to the man, because I was still unsure. We met again at Accra Mall. When he came, he had done a draft of the show he wanted me to be on, Drive Time. I was amazed and confused at the same time, but eventually, I accepted the offer,” he highlighted.

Upon reaching Koforidua, the radio station, Vision FM, was still in its test transmission phase. But days later, he became the first voice to officially broadcast on air.

“They had done test transmission. They had not even started programing. They showed me a few things. On Monday, I was the first person that opened the station at Vision FM. We didn’t even start with the Morning Show. I remember my intro so well, I was like; ‘Good evening to the Capital and everyone doing the listening, my name is African Baby. I am the African boy that you’ve been waiting all this while here in the capital. I get to drive you all the way to 7pm. Why don’t you be my guest’,” he recalled.

KMJ mentioned that his presence was immediately felt, and he quickly became a listener favorite, with even market women talking about him. 

Over time, he rose to the position of Programs Manager at Vision FM. 

“I became a favorite. Everyone was talking about me including market women, who on a regular day wouldn’t listen to Drive Time. Eventually, I rose to the Programs Manager of Vision,” he said.

KMJ expressed deep gratitude to the late owner of Vision FM, acknowledging the immense faith the man had in his potential. 

“He is late now, may God rest his soul. He believed in me and did so much for me. I had never seen anyone do so much for people like that,” he acknowledged.

KMJ encouraged young people to always be prepared for opportunities.

“Be prepared enough even before an opportunity comes. Imagine if I had not prepared and I messed up, I wouldn’t be here today, so it’s always the preparation before the opportunities even come.” he advised.