The following article was written by Vaughn James for Hood Media, NYC on Nov 17, 2025. The original article can be found here.
Podcasting is everywhere! Let’s be clear ! So much so that it’s more of a normalcy. Imagine knowing the first time we saw and ate Mcdonalds. 9 times out of 10, the majority of us won’t know the answer to that question but we know it existed. This is just like podcasting as we know it.. Or do we? We know that podcasting exsists we also know that podcasting has changed the lives of many in a positive and lucrative way to say the least and has taken the world by storm. DWI aka The Podfather has literally pioneered podcasting when it didn’t have a name! When it was just a mic over radio waves and headphones.
Today, DWI has nurtured his DSN podcasting and Iheart Radio umbrella brand to be one of the biggest if not the biggest on the east coast. From interviewing what seems like to be everyone that has made it the music business and business industries all together. The Bronx’s own Damien “DWI” Williams boasts an impressive 25 plus years in an ever changing music and media industry. Damien “DWI” Williams the founder of DaMatrix Studios and the DSN Network currently boasts a successful 25+ years of contributions in shaping hip-hop, multi-media and currently the podcast spaces respectively.
The Bronx bred native has spent decades amplifying voices, shaping media platforms and ultimately filling a void of creating the place for creators to be heard and seen and eventually in combination of both which puts him in the space of being one of the most influential architects of modern broadcasting.
DWI ( far right ) hosting the Philly Freeway album release event held at private location in Brooklyn New York
DWI’s broadcasting career officially began when he teamed up with Jessie “Jess” Atkinson of Urban Threshold Entertainment, Rob “Mr. Raw” Wright of Universal Music Group, and Kimberly “DJ Kim B” Barrett to launch Promo Radio on 91.9FM. This partnership brought together industry minds who recognized the need for a new kind of platform that highlighted emerging voices just as important as the already mainstream stars. Soon after, DWI and DJ Kim B founded N.EX.T.U.P. Radio, a groundbreaking show dedicated to rising talents. They were later joined by Jayson “J-Didda” Butler, a bubbling hip hop artist, party promoter and marketer, forming a strong media trio that helped shift the landscape of independent broadcasting but DWI’s vision didn’t stop at one or two shows, He began cultivating an entire ecosystem allowing him to become nothing short of foundational.
DWI has laid the groundwork for the Damatrix brand into becoming one of the more important indie media networks on the East Coast.
DWI’s broadcasting career officially began when he teamed up with Jessie “Jess” Atkinson of Urban Threshold Entertainment, Rob “Mr. Raw” Wright of Universal Music Group, and Kimberly “DJ Kim B” Barrett to launch Promo Radio on 91.9FM. This partnership brought together industry minds who recognized the need for a new kind of platform—one that highlighted emerging voices, not just mainstream stars.
Soon after, DWI and DJ Kim B founded N.EX.T.U.P. Radio, a groundbreaking show dedicated to rising talents. They were later joined by Jayson “J-Didda” Butler, a bubbling hip hop artist, party promoter and marketer, forming a strong media trio that helped shift the landscape of independent broadcasting.
But DWI’s vision didn’t stop at one or two shows.
Building the Blueprint: DaMatrix Studios and the DSN Network
DWI played a key role in launching several influential shows that helped define the underground broadcast scene:
Get It Poppin’ Radio (Da G.I.P.) — Hosted by J-Didda, Valentine, and later The Kid Sinsai
AOS Radio — Hosted by Adante Ace one of New York’s top music managers and event promoters
Kitty Radio — Hosted by Maya The B and “Future Love & Hip-Hop” star Jen The Pen (Two of the top entertainment journalists, the source, hiphopdx, thisis50 and more)
The Round Table – Hosted by Lenny S, May The B, and Big LIfe
Hate Money Radio — Hosted by DJ Bedtyme 357 (Remy Ma’s official DJ)
Before Podcasting Had a Name
Today, podcasting is everywhere. It’s a global phenomenon, a media juggernaut, and a cultural norm.
But there was a time when it wasn’t.
Imagine trying to remember the first time you saw a McDonald’s—it’s nearly impossible, because it simply existed by the time you became aware of it. Podcasting is the same way for most people. It feels like it’s always been here.
But the truth is: pioneers like DWI helped build it
DWI—affectionately known as “The Podfather of New York”—was podcasting before podcasting had a name. Before RSS feeds was common knowledge, before branded studios, before corporate acquisitions and billion-dollar deals. For him, it started with a mic, headphones, real conversations, and an unshakeable belief that independent media deserved a seat at the table.
DWI and the collective of talented radio personalities, industry movers and shakers began to expand the newly formed DSN Network to other platforms, Syndicating on 1.FM Jamz, podomatic and Stick-Kam, these were all early precursors to what we now call Podcasting.
A Legacy Cemented: DSN and iHeartRadio
One of the reasons why that , DWI’s DSN Network, that is currently powered under the iHeartRadio umbrella, is one of the largest independent podcasting and broadcasting platforms on the East Coast is because of his access
Over the years, DWI has either recorded or interviewed some of the most legendary figures in music, culture, and politics—often before they reached global fame. His roster includes:
Remy Ma
The late Kay Slay
Papoose
J. Cole
Maino
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Former Mayor Eric Adams
Heather Hunter
The Real (Podcast hosts)
Joe Jackson
Nicki Minaj
Cardi B
Pimp C
Trey Songz
Swizz Beatz
Lenny S
Guru
…and countless others
More Than a Founder — A Force
Damien “DWI” Williams isn’t just a studio owner or a radio host. He is a culture-shifter, an innovator, a mentor, and a guardian of independent voices. His work has helped launch careers, document history, and preserve stories that might have never been heard.
The Bronx raised him. Hip-hop trained him. Broadcasting transformed him. And now, podcasting is where his legacy continues to expand.
DWI built the blueprint. The world is just now catching up.