The making of Marcus

He is a social activist, radio presenter and blogger all rolled into one. Meet Marcus Olang, the Breakfast host at One FM. He spoke to KEVIN OGUOKO

Pulse: So tell us a bit about your background.

Marcus: I grew up in Ruai estate. It was a bit of a rural farm but looking back I appreciate it as it allowed me to read. My parents had a huge library of books!

Pulse: So you are some kind of geek?

Marcus: I may be a bit of a nerd attracted to geeky stuff. I do a lot of reading. Books and the Internet anything I can get my hands on.

Marcus Olang

Pulse: Still in Campus?

Marcus: Yeah. I’m going to my fourth year bachelor of Commerce at University of Nairobi.

Pulse: Work experience?

Marcus: Before One FM I was at African Management Services Company (AMSCO)—a UNDP sponsored initiative. I have also worked with a cancer trust organisation and still do by the name Twakutukuza Trust. On the side I do ghost-writing on socio political issues in international publications.

Pulse: From UN to radio? How did that happen?

Marcus: At the UN, I was working with a cancer trust and still do. We went into 1 FM one day to try and negotiate a part deal for sponsorship. After the presentation the guy who was in charge told me he liked the way I pitched and would connect well with people. So I came over for a couple of voice tests. That was it! I had never been in the media before.

Pulse: So would you call yourself a good salesman?

Marcus: Not quite. All I do is talk about my own experience. I have been through what I believe we all have. We all have that girl we have broke up with or that chick you suspect is using you for your money.

Pulse: So what makes your show unique from any other breakfast show?

Marcus: I would like to say I’m real! I think I am. I try to be real.

Pulse: Every radio host has his own bias in the type of music they play. What’s yours?

Marcus: I’m big on African music. This is one of the things that drew me to work with One FM. I believe there is a lot of really good material out there that is not getting airplay.

Pulse: You tweet a lot. 35,000 tweets and counting?

Marcus: I joined it after a friend, Anyiko, Grapevine’s presenter bullied me into joining it. for the first couple of months I was inactive but with time I have come to love it. It’s fast with information and I get to interact with many celebrities across Africa that I wouldn’t have otherwise interacted with. So I guess I love tweeting.

Pulse: You also blog?

Marcus: I have many blogs. But the main two are marcusolang.typad.com and marcusolang.tamblar.com. The first one concentrated on the social political happenings around us. If you are over 18 get a voter’s card and take action. Don’t just yap about it on twitter!

Pulse: The second one?

Marcus: The marcusolang.tumblr.com is for fun. It has pictures and music sampled from across the continent and beyond. I can testify that I was the first person in Kenya to listen to the track Tony Montana by Naeto C. In fact scratch that! The first in East Africa! Thank you very much!

Pulse: How old are you?

Marcus: Old enough but quite young. Our sales guy describes me as the young guy with the old soul.

Pulse: Relationships?

Marcus: I’m very single.

Pulse: So who is the girl in your avi on Twitter?

Marcus: Hahaha! Good Lord! Wow! She is a friend.

Pulse: So we rarely see you in events. What’s up with that? You have an issue with being on the limelight?

Marcus: I just want to be myself. Yes I’m on radio but at the end of the day I would like to be a normal person. I don’t want to put myself in a position where I’m a demigod-like status; that happens a lot of times with celebrities. I’m just an ordinary guy living an ordinary life and happens to talk to a lot of people between 6am and 10am.

Pulse: Speaking from experience?

Marcus: Yes. I know many people who see themselves larger than life. At the end of the day we are all human. We will have our rises and falls. I rather not have mine in the spotlight though.

Pulse: Favourite quote?

Marcus: "A man is known by what no one knows about him."

Pulse: Dream co-host?

Marcus: Already have that. Tina Kagia. Fantastic lady.

Pulse: Where do you draw your inspiration?

Marcus: Kids. They are so pure.

Pulse: Favourite radio presenter apart from yourself?

Marcus: South Africa’s DJ Dineo Ranaka though he’s retired now. Hosting The Drive show on Y FM — South Africa.

Pulse: Most underrated show?

Marcus: Mine! Yes it’s big. But it’s going to be bigger!

Pulse: If not a presenter what would it be?

Marcus: Probably writing.