We had the chance to talk with the amazing Martica Lopez. We talked about her radio career, her passion for dancing, music, her favorite artist, and so much more. Please enjoy this awesome LaMezcla exclusive Q&A with Martica Lopez.
Q: Radio’s been a major part of your journey in Florida. What is it about the mic and the music that keeps pulling you back in?
A: There’s something about music that just hits different. It’s always been a part of me—my life, my soul. It’s how I process everything. When I’m happy, there’s music. When I’m heartbroken, there’s music. I don’t just listen to it—I live it. So working in radio? It just felt right.
I sing, I dance, I’ve always been drawn to the arts. And yeah, I’m a Leo—I love a mic, a stage, all of it. But what I love most is the connection. Music is that one thing that brings everybody together. No matter where you’re from or what you’re going through, there’s a song that gets it.
And getting to share those moments with my listeners? That’s the magic for me. It’s this unspoken bond, this energy we all feel—and it’s beautiful.
Q: You’ve experienced life in three of Florida’s biggest cities. If you had to pick a favorite, which one stole your heart and why? What was your go-to vibe or spot there?
A: As a homegrown Miami girl, I never thought I’d leave. I used to love Miami—it was my world. But as life would have it… I had to leave to come home. And in the time I was gone, I completely fell in love with the Tampa Bay area.
There were parts of it that reminded me of the Miami I grew up with—but it had its own vibe. I loved where I lived, especially my apartment in St. Petersburg. The traffic? Barely an issue. And the people? So warm, so real. I was always bopping around… usually wherever DJ Speedy Jr, DJ Ñeko, DJ Dave Beats, DJ Lanz, or Gio Breton were spinning. Treehouse was the go-to on Taco Tuesdays, ChibChas and Mamajuana’s were always a vibe if you wanted to dance. Prana on a Saturday night? Always a good time. Acropolis was perfect for hookah, food, and drinks.
And the beach? I’d spend so much time out on Treasure Island, posted up at Caddy’s just soaking in the view. The water, the vibe, the energy—I plan to retire there one day. It was truly my happy place.
Oh—and I can’t forget The Saint. This obscure little speakeasy in St. Pete that felt like walking into a movie. The theme was totally sacrilegious—in the best way. Everything was lit in red, the bartenders and servers were dressed like nuns and priests… and to get in, you had to “confess your sin of the day.” The sin was usually something outrageous posted on their social media—you couldn’t make it up. And in the back near the restrooms, there was a wall where people would literally write their sins on sticky notes. Some of the stuff people left? Wild. But iconic.
Tampa Bay really left a mark on me—and honestly, it still feels like a piece of home.
Q: We see you still killin ’it on the dance floor and in competitions. How intense is your training these days, and what tracks are always on your playlist when it’s time to lock in?
A: Dancing really is my passion. The fact that competing in Dancing with the Local Stars to benefit Women In Distress—and actually winning—led me back to dance? That was kismet. Now, I train two to three times a week, and it’s honestly my therapy. It’s the one place where I can shut off my mind and just focus on movement and music.
What I listen to in class isn’t always what I listen to day to day. I mean… ballroom dancing vs. reggaetón? Totally different vibes. But every now and then, I get to blend the two—like dancing salsa to tracks from DTmF, or throwing on something from Cosa Nuestra when I want to cha-cha.
Now, when I wanna perrear? I’m putting on anything by Rauw Alejandro, Bad Bunny, De La Ghetto, Karol G, Feid, and Nicky Jam. And if we’re talking salsa… I’ve got mad love for the old-school legends like Frankie Ruiz (I actually did a school project on him—I was obsessed), Jerry Rivera, Willy Chirino and then the new wave—Christian Alicea, Motiff, Moa, Luis Figueroa.
But that’s just the Spanish side. Don’t even get me started on my English-language playlists. I love way too many artists to even begin.
Q: With all the artists you’ve crossed paths with, there’s gotta be some memorable stories about who was the most challenging interview, and who absolutely blew you away?
A: This question always gets me, because every artist leaves a different kind of mark.
Interviewing Ice Cube? Iconic. A true legend. And he was actually so grounded and thoughtful, which made it one of my favorite interviews to date. Same with Robin Thicke—super gracious, and honestly just easy to connect with. Not every artist makes you feel that comfortable, but he did.
One moment that really stayed with me was working with J Quiles for an event supporting survivors of domestic violence. We spent the day with these incredible women and their families, and I even got to meet his mom. That afternoon reminded me of why I do this—it’s not just about music or fame. It’s about using our platforms to show up for people.
Now, Rauw Alejandro during his Cosa Nuestra World Tour? I had a full-circle moment. I’ve supported his music for years, so finally meeting him was surreal. And when he said he recognized my voice—“Tu voz es inconfundible… muy única, muy tuya”—I froze a little. I told him he’s like my genie from Aladdin and that I had three wishes: to meet him (check), to dance with him (we’re still working on that), and to interview him (he promised we’d make it happen—so I’m definitely holding him to it).
As for the most awkward interview? Marlon Wayans. I made a joke from White Chicks—“What a beautiful chocolate man”—something I had been waiting literally 20 years to say. I thought I was being cute! And he goes, “That was Shawn’s line, not mine.” I was like… okay then. Totally threw me off! I just laughed it off, but whew—definitely not one of my smoothest moments. Still funny though. I’ll own it.
Q: What was the moment or feeling that made you say, “Radio is its, I want to be on-air”? What made you chase this path?
A: Like I’ve said before, I’ve always been drawn to the entertainment industry. If I couldn’t make it as a singer, I was going to have my own talk show—I wanted to be the next Cristina! Since I was a little girl, I’ve been singing, dancing, acting, even modeling. I was on Sábado Gigante, and honestly, you could say I was a little Miami child star.
Later on, I graduated from FIU with a degree in journalism and chased every opportunity I could. I even participated in Nuestra Belleza Latina—twice. The last time was the VIP season, where they brought back the most memorable contestants.
But life doesn’t always go the way you plan. I had just been let go from my job and was bouncing between temp gigs, wondering what was next. I remember sitting at one of those jobs, praying—“God, if I’m not meant to be in media or entertainment, show me. Give me a sign.”
That same day, I got an alert for a traffic reporter position with Total Traffic & Weather Network—based inside the iHeartRadio building in South Florida. I applied, got a call within 24 hours, and after the interview, I got the job.
Being bilingual played a huge role, and honestly, it’s been a blessing. Speaking two languages has opened so many doors for me.
And that moment—sitting at a temp desk, completely unsure of what was next—turned out to be the beginning of everything. That was the start of my journey in radio… and I’ve never looked back since.
Q: Let’s be real, the music industry isn’t for the faint of heart. What’s one solid piece of advice you’d give to someone trying to break into major market radio today?
A: Let’s be real—this industry isn’t for the faint of heart. If there’s one solid piece of advice I’d give to anyone trying to break into major market radio, it’s this: don’t ever take away someone’s ability to feed their family. Period.
This business moves fast—and there are people who will stab you in the back just to get ahead. That “me first” energy is very real. But I’ve always moved with integrity. I can look in the mirror knowing I’ve never stepped on anyone to rise, and I never will. I believe what’s meant for me will be mine. And if something I have is truly meant for someone else? They can have it. I don’t want what’s not written for me. That kind of peace hits different.
And just know this—you will be the villain in someone’s story, whether it’s true or not. People will say you blocked their shine or took their opportunity. But you can’t control that. All you can do is keep showing up.
What’s helped me through all of it is having people in my corner. I’ve had the privilege of being surrounded—at different points in my career—by women who made an impact. Even if we don’t speak every day anymore, the role they played in uplifting me during key moments mattered. Shout out to Jodie Stewart, Lia Escobar, Gema G, Giselle Andres, Jade Alexander, Supa Cindy, and Nikki Montana. These are women who didn’t tear me down—they championed me. That kind of support is rare, and when you find it, you hold onto it.
Q: When you look back at everything you’ve accomplished, what moment or milestone makes you most proud?
A: When I look back at everything I’ve accomplished, the moment that makes me most proud is when I took the leap and left Miami—a city I had lived in my entire life—to chase a dream. Moving to Tampa Bay to work at 92.5 Maxima was, hands down, the best decision I’ve ever made. That’s where my career really took off. That station opened so many doors for me, and I will always be grateful to 92.5 Maxima and Nio Encendio for giving me that opportunity.
That move changed everything. It’s where I truly found myself. It’s where I became a woman. I had to figure things out on my own, away from everything and everyone I knew. And through that, I discovered what I was really made of.
Q: If you could sit down with any artist in the world, dead or alive, who would be your dream interview? And have you ever had those nerves kick in before going on mic with a big name?
A: Celia Cruz—hands down. Fun fact: Johnny Pacheco is actually my political cousin. His wife Gloria is my mom’s niece. Years ago, my mom went to visit her cousin in New Jersey, and during that trip, Johnny and her got to talking about me. He wanted me to move there so he could train me for Broadway—he had his own record label at the time. But out of fear of the unknown, my mom didn’t take that leap.
For those who don’t know, Johnny Pacheco wasn’t just a musical legend—he was Celia Cruz’s longtime friend, producer, and trompetista. So yes, Celia actually knew my mom. It would be so special to interview not just a salsa icon, but someone who truly changed the industry and left a legacy that still lives on.
Also, little full-circle moment—when I competed in Miss Chiquitica as a kid, I sang El Yerbero Moderno… and I won! Celia was larger than life and such a character. Sitting down with her would’ve been unforgettable.
As for nerves? I rarely get nervous anymore. But early in my career? Absolutely. I’ll never forget interviewing Gente de Zona. I was seated between Alexander and Randy—Randy being the one who replaced Jacob Forever after the original duo split. I was so focused on the conversation with Randy that I ended up awkwardly keeping my back to Alexander for most of the interview. I felt like I had totally dropped the ball and was super embarrassed. But hey, it was a learning experience, and it taught me how to manage interviews with more balance and confidence in the future.
Q: You’re front and center at so many shows. What’s been the most unforgettable concert you’ve been to, and do you prefer the energy of packed arenas or the scale of stadium vibes?
A: This is one of those questions I can never answer the same way twice because I’ve been to so many unforgettable concerts.
J Balvin’s Arcoíris Tour was an experience, but then his Rayo Tour this year was just as impressive in a different way. All of Bad Bunny’s concerts have been on another level. And don’t even get me started on Rauw Alejandro—his Cosa Nuestra Tour was one of my absolute favorites. He blended so many different genres into one show—reggaetón, salsa, ballads—you name it. It felt like a Broadway Musical, like a full production, not just a concert.
Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito Tour was also unforgettable. It started raining mid-show and instead of running for cover, everyone danced through it. That moment was so powerful, she even used the footage in her documentary.
I also loved Alejandro Fernández—there’s just something timeless about his voice. And J.Lo in Vegas? That was a show. Start to finish, pure performance.
If I had to pick, I’d say I prefer arenas over stadiums. They feel more personal—and let’s be real, I’d rather not melt in the South Florida heat for three hours straight.
Q: Let’s talk music taste. Who are your top 5 most-played artists this year, and what makes them stand out in your rotation?
A: Okay… this is a little embarrassing because my top five most-played artists are all reggaetón—but in my defense, I’ve been getting ready for shows and Karol G’s new album just dropped. So here’s who’s been on repeat:
1. Rauw Alejandro
2. Bad Bunny
3. Karol G
4. De La Ghetto
5. Feid
I know, I know… it’s giving no variety—but I promise my taste is more diverse than this. Just not lately.
