KCRW is expanding its music lineup with two new high-profile DJs while marking the departure of a longtime host, the station announced Wednesday.
DJ and producer J.Rocc will host a weekly show Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m., while Olive Kimoto will host a Monday night program from 8 to 10 p.m., according to the station.
The changes come as longtime host Dan Wilcox exits after nearly two decades. He joined KCRW in 2007 and became known for his distinctive voice and music curation.
“Dan Wilcox has made extraordinary contributions to KCRW and its community these past two decades,” KCRW Music Director Alejandro Cohen said in a statement. “KCRW’s loss is the world’s gain, and we’re excited to see what’s in store for him.”
Cohen said the additions reflect the station’s continued focus on distinctive, personality-driven programming.
“The magic of KCRW’s music programming is that it’s made by people with something to say, not just something to play,” Cohen said.
J.Rocc, a founding member of the Beat Junkies DJ crew, is widely regarded as a pioneer in turntablism, with a career that includes collaborations with artists such as Madlib, J Dilla and Common.
The station said his sets span genres including hip-hop, house, funk, disco and R&B, and he has produced mixes for labels including Blue Note, Salsoul and Rawkus.
“I’m excited to join KCRW because it’s a station with real taste and credibility,” J.Rocc said. “It’s one of those stations that feels curated, not random.”
Kimoto, a Los Angeles-based DJ, musician and radio host, brings an experimental and genre-blending approach to her work, according to KCRW. She is also a member of the band Locust and hosts a program on NTS Radio.
“Growing up on the airwaves of KCRW, I dreamed of telling stories through sound and sharing tracks that take you somewhere else entirely. I’ll meet you on your nighttime drives,” Kimoto said.
KCRW’s expanded music roster also includes DJs such as Jason Bentley, Raul Campos and Henry Rollins, along with recent additions including LUXXURY, Peanut Butter Wolf and John Tejada.
The station, based in Santa Monica, is NPR’s flagship member station in Southern California and is operated by Santa Monica College.