Mara the Hip-Hop Socialite has carved quite a unique niche in the world of urban media. The former-attorney-turned-model-turned-blogger and personality has obviously worn several hats throughout her professional career, but each facet has complemented the next. An unbridled enthusiasm for new experiences and a willingness to embrace change have been hallmarks of Mara’s journey thus far.
The co-host of the uber-popular Street Disciplez online radio show, Mara got the buzz for radio after being featured on Maxim Radio as one of the “Maxim Girls.” And after joining Street Disciplez, she quickly became a cornerstone of one of the most headline-grabbing radio shows online. “We broke some of the biggest stories in urban entertainment over the last few years. We’ve been everywhere,” she says proudly. It’s true, Street Disciplez have been featured and referenced by everyone from VH1 to Bossip to TMZ, and they’ve broken stories on celebrities from Game to Brooke Bailey. “We’re an Internet-based show. To get as much attention as we get is unbelievable to me. We’ve been making headlines since 2008-2009.”
And a big part of the show’s success has been Mara. Her chemistry with co-host Ei8ht is a huge draw for the show, though the Wake Forest grade admits that the quick-witted nature of gossip radio didn’t always come so naturally to her. “It was very difficult at first because I’m not the type of person that’s very quick on my feet!” she says laughing. “[My co-host] Ei8ht is. So being around him I’ve somehow, someway, learned that. Someone was like ‘The two of you are really funny!’ I was like ‘I am?’ But we have great chemistry.”
As co-host of Street Disciplez radio, Mara has been able to nurture that side of her personality. That ‘voice’ is part of what she adores about urban media. “It gives me a platform. I can be someone that I’m really not in real life,” Mara explains. “I’m not the most talkative person. I kind of lay low until I get to know you. But on the radio, I’m in-your-face and I say what I want to say. It’s entertainment. I don’t always feel like I have that freedom when I met someone face-to-face. It’s empowering.”
There aren’t many people that would trade in the stability of a law degree to move to the Bronx and pursue a career in urban media, but Mara’s gamble has clearly paid off. She was nominated for a Black Celebration Award last year, has been a gossip contributor to Live.DrJays.com and also serves as managing editor for Cherry Martinez’s website, CherryOnTop.com. They’ve spearheaded the Girl Power Awards, which have honored Mona Scott-Young and Jennifer Graziano in past years.
“I’m proud of everything that I’ve accomplished because I don’t have a background in radio,” she says. “I just threw caution to the wind and went after my dream.”
Mara the Hip-Hop Socialite now has the world’s ear, and she isn’t going to stop talking anytime soon.
“Whether you agree or disagree [with me] — you want to hear what I have to say.”
– stereo williams
