Meet Oronde Stephens | DJ, Radio Personality, Content Creator, Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Oronde Stephens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oronde, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Believing in myself. What my company did over 15 years ago and what it is doing now are two different things. The only commonalities I see is determination. My entertainment company is centered around community. Whether I’m Djing an event in downtown Bentonville, spinning on the radio or creating content for my podcast, it takes determination to get it done. Currently in Northwest Arkansas, there is a demand for Hip-Hop and in ways, I feel it is an uphill battle. Though the region is expanding rapidly, there are gaps in the entertainment scene for this musical genre. I saw the need for my services and created a plan. Though I have encountered setbacks and obstacles, determination is the force that allowed me to progress.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The Set The Bar Mixshow has been my main focus as of late. Everything I do centers around the show. There’s a podcast, a Patreon, and a radio show. It is a very unique show for the region I’m in. In short, listening to the show is like staring at the storefront of Hip-Hop culture. The show keeps you up to date with the culture and the music is just one aspect of the culture. I try to cover content for those inside and outside of the culture because there are more people outside of the culture here. The catch is, even if you’re outside the culture, that doesn’t mean you don’t like or listen to Hip-Hop. The people inside the culture already know what time it is for the most part. A lot of the commentary I speak on is in the effort to get the people outside of the culture, Hip, to the hop.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re hanging with me in Bentonville, Arkansas, going to Crystal Bridges and the Momentary museums is mandatory. On the way there, you’re likely going to see cows and large pastures so these two places will give you a sense of the town you’re in. It will make you wonder why you saw so many cows in the first place. The Walmart Heritage Museum has an AI Sam Walton. I think it’s only fair to let them talk to Sam since you may have questions about Walmart. Walmart’s headquarter’s are here so that’s the least I could do.

If we’re talking food, Blue Fish House has the best seafood in town. My favorite sport’s bar is Big Whiskey’s and they have good eats too. If you like Whiskey, they have quite a selection. Lastly, if you’re in to after hour spots infused with EDM, Hip-Hop and more, the Backroom is where it’s at. It’s an uncanny scene that has a metropolis vibe to it. Bentonville Community Radio plays a huge role in the happenings of the venue so that certifies it in my book.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Bentonville Community Radio has been instrumental in my recent business efforts. We’re the tiny radio station in a boom box next to a bookstore but the platform it gives and its impact to the community is significantly increasing. We’ve taken it on our own to provide music and events to the community and because we aren’t controlled by a slew of corporations, we have more freedom in what we play and how we interact with the community. We’re basically moving like a grown folks college radio station. It’s eclectic, diverse and great for this community.

Website: https://setthebarreview.libsyn.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oplexmusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1264607217345210

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@ablentertainment

Other: [email protected]