HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - JOEY "Q" QUENGA
Joey "Q" Quenga
Owner/Creative Director of Island Block Radio
Chamorro
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Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Joey Quenga but most people know me as “Q”. I am co-owner of Island Block Radio where I have many hats, producer, creative director, on-air personality as well as program director.
I grew up in Long Beach, CA., which is a city in Los Angeles County.
My family is from the village of Talofofo on Guam.
Along with my co-host and business partner, Joe “Savage” Faavae, we set out to create a form of ethnic media for our Pacific People in the United States. In such a diverse city as Los Angeles, we felt that there was something missing for our community. Since Hollywood is the entertainment capital of the world, why was there not a platform for Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian people?
Joe Sav and Q created “The BBQ Show” which was our first attempt at media. That platform grew to be syndicated on 3 networks: Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Arizona. With the success of the show, we caught the eye of DJ Skee and Dash Radio.
While at Dash Radio, the BBQ Show grew from one 2-hour show a week to providing programming 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Listeners are able to hear programming from Pacific Islander hosts from Seattle, Bay Area as well as Hawaii on www.dashradio.com/ islandblock or by downloading the Dash Radio app.
Island Block Radio plays along side 85+ other stations curated by various celebrities, including; Snoop Dogg, Kylie Jenner, Tyler the Creator, Lil’ Wayne & T Boz of TLC to name a few.
As a musician, I would often be called to sing at Chamoru events to sing cultural music from Guam. Often times, I would get looks from the elders as I usually played my renditions of the classics…usually with an R&B feel. LOL.
I was blessed to be a part of several talented bands throughout Los Angeles but a group that had a big musical influence on me was “Chord Brown”. This group was compromised of some of the best pacific island voices in Southern California. Some of these artists have gone on to become amazing solo artists in their own right. Some of the artists include; Zhen, YC of Trey Smoov, Tenelle & JR King of Common Kings.
I think that the world is just now finding out about how talented our people are. We’re fortunate to hear some amazing talent. Some of the artist I’d say they are on the cusp of a truly successful musical career; Celle, Cadence, Nina Luvvv, Dayvid Thomas, For Peace Band as well as an artist from Chuuk named Richie Lagoon.
Being a Pacific Islander in the US is an interesting balance, especially with a career in entertainment. Culturally we are taught to remain humble but in an industry that requires self-promotion and to continually promote and market this can be difficult. I can attribute part of Island Blocks success to the fact that our people’s sense of humor. It’s not uncommon for people to feel the Mana and hospitality and feel comfortable enough to join.
As the station grows and support for the platform increases, I realize that although we may not have particularly wanted to be a role model, we are. For this reason, we continue to work hard and create opportunity for the pacific voice to be heard here in the States and around the world.
For Polys heading to the US or already in the US - are there any big festivals or events that they can be a part of or go to check out?
For anyone that gets homesick for their island home while in the States I’d suggest the Pacific Islander Festival that takes place September 22nd in San Diego, CA.
If you are a fan of Island Reggae music I’d suggest the “Island Reggae Festival” on Saturday, July 14th in Santa Clara, CA.
We’re going to continue to work on providing our people with a voice in Hollywood. Be sure to look out for Island Block News as well as our partnership with the House of Blues Anaheim for the monthly Island Block Concert Series.
