In recent years the Pelicans have put a concerted effort into injecting more of New Orleans rich music culture into the experience at home games in the Smoothie King Center. More than ever the sounds of local legends like Trombone Shorty Lil Wayne and Juvenile can be heard blaring over the loudspeakers during games or featured in video packages on the big board.
It may be a surprise to some but the author of numerous historic moments in the local music scene can be seen sitting courtside at every home game. Its fairly easy to recognize his voice if you were around during the golden age of New Orleans hip hop.
Wayne Benjamin Jr. better known as Wild Wayne is heading into his fourth season as the public address announcer at Smoothie King Center for Pelicans home games. However he has more known as a radio legend who dominated the airwaves in New Orleans as the local hip hop scene grew into a worldwide phenomenon with Cash Money and No Limit Records.Benjamin started working at New Orleans radio station WQUE FM Q93 in 1991 on a part time basis and his eventual rise was almost immediate. According to Benjamin I have been on the air since 91 and I have been No. 1 the entire time. Its been an incredible run.
Wild Wayne staples like 9 oclock props and Phat Phat N All That are synonymous with the New Orleans musical renaissance that captivated the nation during the 90s. Now Benjamin hopes to find more success with his evolution into a PA announcer at Pelicans games. Its a transition that fits him well but its one he certainly did not see coming.Benjamin recently spoke with The Athletic about his work over the past three decades and the sheer joy he gets from shshowing a different side of himself at Pels games.
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