Earlier this year, we mentioned some of our favourite top micro-influencers in the UK with under 30k followers and Angie Greaves was one of them.
Angie Greaves, who presents National Drive Time and Smooth Sunday Mornings on Smooth Radio, has one of the most soulful and distinctive voices in UK radio today. She began her career as an administrator at the BBC Television Centre before moving to London’s Capital Radio where she was discovered by DJ David “Kid” Jensen, who encouraged her to get into presenting.
In 1990, Angie was the first DJ at the launch of Spectrum Radio, and in 1992 she joined Choice FM and presented the Angie Greaves Breakfast Show. She later joined the BBC and presented shows on BBC London, BBC Three Counties Radio and BBC 2002. Angie became the first woman to join the Magic presenter line-up and after 14 years at the station, she was poached by Global Media to join Smooth Radio.
Here is how our chat with Angie went.
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to have a chat with us at YES GURL.
Pleasure. I showed both my daughters YES GURL and they love it. You’ve also inspired me to re-launch my online magazine in the summer. So, thank you.
We are inspired not only by your sultry voice and presentation skills on Smooth Radio but also by your fashion and style. Is this something you hope to inspire your fans with ‘Fashion Friday’?
Thanks Cathy, Fashion Friday came about after lockdown when I lived in a tracksuit whilst doing my show from home. Both my daughters inspired me to utilise Fridays as a celebration for women (and men), to remove the many hats that we wear (cook, nurse, teacher, unpaid Uber driver, business owner – running a home is a business!), and just take one day out and put yourself first. Put on an outfit, it doesn’t even have to be new. It could be your favourite jeans, coat or dress. Just put the outfit on and step on the pavement as if you ‘own’ it.
Please tell us how you have maintained your youthfulness and what beauty regimen would you advise younger women to follow to age as gracefully as you are.
Thanks for the compliment. I do think I’ve inherited great genes, my dad looked about 70 years of age at his 92nd birthday party and my mum is going to be 90 in October. She still goes to the gym, has an exercise bike and eats well – she looks about 70.
Once I hit 50, I did start drinking lots more water (although I LOVE prosecco so drink a lot of sparkling water). I cut out a lot of sugary foods, fast food and complex carbs BIG TIME. I do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, even if it’s going for a walk. The skincare routine is to cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night. I do also believe that ageing is in the mind. If you think you’re old, you’ll start to act old and you’ll become old. So, think youthful and stay active.
What beauty item can you not do without leaving your house?
Elemis Minty Moisture Lip Balm keeps my lips moist. And if I could squeeze a second item in, it would be Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara
What has been your biggest highlight during your radio broadcasting career?
Spending 14 years at Magic, getting ready to reduce my hours, to then being approached to join Smooth and present their National Drive Time show was a major highlight for me. I didn’t see it coming and it boosted my confidence 200%. It was also a time of realisation that 50 isn’t the end, if anything it’s the beginning of the next chapter, a great time to reinvent yourself, find that extra energy and go for it. I felt so empowered as a Black woman in her 50s, and I hope I empower other women.
You have interviewed so many high-profile celebrities during your career. Can you share some of your memorable moments?
There have been so many amazing moments and I treasure these opportunities so much. I’ve met Michelle Obama, I’ve interviewed Mary J Blige, Tom Jones, Stormzy, James Corden, The Jacksons, Lionel Richie, Mick Hucknall… the list is endless. I’ve worked in the Caribbean, Canada, Egypt and the USA. I carried the Olympic torch in 2012, I could go on, but through it all, I’ve seen these highlights as opportunities and perks, not rights, and I still get a rush thinking about and looking back at these memorable moments.
What words of encouragement would you give to a woman who would love to make a career change in the broadcasting industry?
Times have changed greatly, and you can now start your own radio features/podcasts from the comfort of your own home and use your social platforms to promote your work. I’m a radio girl through and through so I would advise anyone wanting to get into radio to work out what radio they want to do, whether that is speech or music. Perhaps you want to be in production, sales, sponsorship marketing, events or digital.
Do your research about who runs the chosen stations and get in there ASAP and start getting some experience. Media courses are great but the best experience is gained by getting in a station and ‘just doing it’. See how all the facets work in putting radio shows together. Remember your comfort zone is where your dreams go to die, so always be a little uncomfortable and make those dreams a reality.
I know you love books and run a book club. What are you reading now?
Finding Me by Viola Davis. I watched her recently in conversation with Oprah Winfrey, and also on the Fane platform talking to my colleague, Marverine Cole. She was amazing as I knew she would be. I love that Viola is a Black woman fighting to have her craft recognised in white Hollywood. I love that she changes her hair and her wigs daily, which is something I also love doing. And I love that she is very open about the abuse that she has encountered on all levels that have resulted in her being the strong woman she is today.
What new projects can we expect from you and look forward to in the future?
Fashion Friday is coming back; I was due to relaunch it around my birthday but the celebrations went on for about three weeks! There is definitely a podcast series that I’ve been pondering on for a while so I’m just gonna bite the bullet and launch it and I believe that other podcast series will come out as a result of that. And someday I WILL tell my radio story, I’ve already got a lot of recorded material from some radio guests that I’ve worked with. I believe it will inspire others.
Interviewed by Cathy Ben-Ameh
Follow Angie on Instagram
Feature image credit: Franklin & Bailey
