Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Martin.
Hi Alexander, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, my name is NicoThaGreat and my story for the creation of Ethnic Ish N More was such a random occurrence in my life and would ultimately change my life for the better. It was May of 2019 and I decided that I wanted to go skating at Skateway in Pontoon Beach, IL. On this day, I wore a shirt that read “Support Black Women” and didn’t think much about it. Now for those who know me, know that roller skating is one of my biggest passions and I use it as my self-therapy.
As I am skating around the rink, in what is more of a predominantly caucasian skating rink, I notice I am one of the only black people in there. I notice people watching me enjoy my leisure time on the floor, but some of those faces were not giving such a pleasant look to me at all times. After maybe about 45 minutes, I chuckled to myself and realized that the patrons of the rink are reading my “Support Black Women” shirt and it could be the cause for the slight disdain.
I say to myself, “they are probably reading my shirt and saying “look at this ghetto shit”. just as soon as I laugh to myself about the said incident, it was like my whole body stopped moving and the light bulb kicked off in my head. I then took the word “Ghetto” and changed it to “Ethnic and took the word “shit” and changed it to “Ish” and added the “N More” right there. I smiled to myself like I just had a million-dollar idea and get off the floor, took my skates off, and proceeded to head to my car.
As soon as I get in the car, I hop on Facebook and make a post stating that if I were to create a show called “Ethnic Ish N More” would anybody care to watch it. I drive off the lot and head back to my home and check my post and noticed I had a ton of notifications with excitement about my potential new show and that they would love to watch me. I let that thought marinate until the morning and notice I am still getting responses about my post. I decided to follow up with another post and offered times of when I would do the show, which was all based on times I knew skaters around the US would generally have an adult night skate session.
After a few hours, I settle on the time of Wednesday’s at 9:00 pm CST and knew the first episode would start the following week on May 15th, 2019. I start to plot and plan out how my show would be in the coming days and reached out to a good friend of mine to be my first guest, Chad Ha of Skatelyfe TV. Now mind you, I picked the time being this late because I was employed by Crate and Barrel at that time and worked from home in their live chat department. I would literally set my iPhone up against the computer, clock out the computer with my right hand, and press the live button on Facebook with my left hand so that the show starts on time lol.
My first ever episode of the show garnered about 1K views after the first day or so and sits at 4K currently, which I thought was crazy at the time. I could not fathom that people watching me just talk and interview people on social media but there was a lane for it and I knew at that point I had the ability to make something happen. My first 7 episodes were done via FB Live and the next 3 were pre-recorded with my first guest Chad Ha. This 10 episode I call my pilot season and between FB and YouTube, I managed to get about 25K views for the show and I stopped the season there.
I hit a major standstill mentally with the show and everything else going in my life and decided to take a break from making content and this was in August of 2019. I really wasn’t sure if I was going to pick back up because I knew I needed to take it to another level and I just wasn’t sure which route I would go. I let months go by and had many people asking when I would bring Ethnic Ish N More back and I just kept telling them to wait on it.
We approach the New Year and I still was in limbo about what I wanted to do with it and thoughts of turning it into more of a podcast format would’ve been better for me. I knew I didn’t have the funds to purchase all the equipment and living on the Illinois side of the river, most people would not want to travel to my home to record, so I had to figure what my next move would be, and soon. I get a text from a great friend of mine and she is asking me what were something I wanted to see come about in the new year and I said make Ethnic Ish N More a Podcast.
The same day I catch an episode of a show called What Up Doe Radio and loved the look of where they were and decided to research into it and found out they recorded as a place called Overtime Studios and with MyCityMyMusic Radio. I reached out to Justin Kickett and he told me that I could come down and check a show out that Friday. I loved the atmosphere when I did and decided to join and sign my contract to the station that Sunday, January 7th, 2020. My first episode at the radio station was February 5th, 2020 and I am coming up on my 87th episode.
I started with 2 amazing women cohosts, Melanie Marie, and Yeyo LaFlare, and we all went out separate ways due to personal life goals and achievements, and now my great friend and Masonic brother A.D. Grimes, known as Past Master on the show and Shamara Stephens aka your favorite everything Big Jiz. He has been a dope dynamic and addition to the show and we make a great hosting tandem. I have had a ton of guests on the show from Kyjuan of the St. Lunatics, Dasha Kennedy of The Broke Black Girl, Michael Brown Sr., Adam Murphy of Midwest Mixtapes, BlancoTarintinoTV, Grammy Award-Winning Sid “Uncle Jamz” Johnson, Nandostl, Ohun Ashe of Fortheculturestl.com, Zeus Rebel Waters and many many more.
I’ve been sponsored by Cashapp, won the award for Podcast of the Year 2020 for the Yours Award in St. Louis. I’ve been featured in Dear Fathers, Delux Magazine, Hood Illustrated Magazine. I currently produce some shows for UnheardTV, which has a Roku and ABC 30 channel. I am the owner of Ethnic Ish N More TV, which is what I produce all of my content under on the YouTube channel and for my clients.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road to get where I am but it hasn’t been the hardest either. The most difficult thing about walking in the path that you are destined for is that you will tend to get in your own way.
What I mean by this is that you are your biggest obstacle to anything not happening or manifesting into your life. I had many times where I doubted myself and still do to this day, but I continue to be dedicated and consistent in the pursuit of my overall goals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Podcast/Radio Show Host, Videographer, Content Creator, Content Producer, Video Editor, and Dad to an amazing 11-year-old son named Shaun! I have shows that I produce for a Roku channel called Unheard TV and those are Coolest in da Hood, Te’Ara Speaks & Savory Succulence on the Move, The Black Biz Success Show and That’s My Jam.
I create my own personal YouTube content and have shows called Ethnic Ish N More, Karaoke Ish N More & Ethnic Ass Reviews.
I am most proud of the fact that I have kept my consistency in the podcasting world because many cannot and will not do so. I have been able to remain entertaining and bring dope content for viewers and continue to do so. Another thing I am most proud of is being a father to my son. He is a big reason why I push myself so hard as an entrepreneur and self-employed person.
I feel what sets me apart is my personality. I am one of the people who love to see others do great and amazing things, whether it is something that is not at my level or well past my level. I just love to see my people succeed and make it in this world.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
If you are looking to work with or collaborate with me, contact me at ethnicishnmore@gmail.com. You can support/donate at $nicomar10 or alexandermartin3289@gmail.
Pricing:
- $50 to book show interviews
- $30 for music videos to air live on the show
- $20 for music to be played
Contact Info:
- Email: ethnicishnmore@gmail.com
- Website: www.ethnicishnmore.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nicothagreat357 & Instagram.com/ethnicishnmore & Instagram.com/ethnicishnmoretv
- Facebook: Facebook.com/nicothagreat357 & Facebook.com/ethnicishnmore
- Twitter: twitter.com/nicothagreat357 & twitter.com/ethnicishnmore
- Youtube: YouTube.com/ethnicishnmore
Image Credits
Ade Tokunbo
