End of an Era: Mr. Mo’Kelly Exits the Evening Show on LA Talk Station KFI AM 640

Mr. Mo’Kelly who hosted the evening show “Later, with Mo’Kelly” on KFI AM 640, has exited the airwaves of KFI AM 640. His departure marks the end of his time as host on iHeartMedia’s KFI AM after having built a strong reputation for his political, current affairs, and entertainment commentary on the station. Kelly was also a regular contributor on BIN: The Black Information Network.

Kelly posted a Facebook statement on his exit. “First African-American weekday host in the history of KFI AM 640 talk programming, the #1 news/talk station in America. We overcame tremendous odds, haters, disbelievers and obstacles along the way. Most of you will never know. But we are the sum total of our advocates and I’m proud to say (as noted above), I had some great ones.”

Full statement:

Mr. Mo'Kelly

 

All jobs end. It is not our lives or our health. Perspective is paramount. There is nothing to be sad about here. I'm genuinely excited for the future.

That said, I want to thank some people before I forget. Thank you to Tawala Sharp, who I worked closely with for some 13 years. We did talk radio OUR way, a different way...one with music playing a central role. We didn't just talk about the news, we also offered firsthand accounts and personal anecdotes of many of the central players in the news. We took the audience to places they've never been, uplifted communities heretofore invisible and provided a space for voices less-often heard.

We had the BEST interviews in the business, bar none and were recognized accordingly over the years. Every night we set out to have more fun than anyone in any job in radio.

We succeeded.

We have no apologies or regrets to offer. We talked to everyone politically from Tucker Carlson to Pete Buttigieg and ideologically in-between. We profiled music guests from Danny Elfman to Diane Warren. Comedians, from Rob Schneider to George Wallace. Actors, from William Shatner to Danny Glover.

We exposed Southern California to a different sounding type of talk radio where EVERYONE was welcome, regardless of beliefs, background, color, religion or lifestyle.

We succeeded.

Thank you specifically to Michelle Kube Kelly and Mike Schaefer who took a chance on me and hired me at KFI in 2011. Thank you to Robin Bertolucci who gave me the opportunity to spread my wings at KFI. Thank you to Neil Saavedra who continually mentored me, even when it devolved into loud shouting matches and lots of profanity.

Lots of shouting. Lots of profanity. The producer of The Jesus Christ Show uses a lot of profanity (like me). Jus' sayin'.

Thank you to Phil Hendrie who put in a good word for me with the station to give me my own show. Thank you to Wayne Resnick who was the first to even let me crack the mic at KFI, introducing me to the audience. Thank you to Tim Conway Jr. who drove from Riverside just to be a guest at my first remote. Thank you to Michael Crozier who was there from day 1 in the news booth and never stopped advocating for us.

Thank you to the late Kevin Fleming who connected me with the legendary Howard Neal who counseled and prepared me for KFI.

First African-American weekday host in the history of KFIAM640 talk programming, the #1 news/talk station in America. We overcame tremendous odds, haters, disbelievers and obstacles along the way. Most of you will never know. But we are the sum total of our advocates and I'm proud to say (as noted above), I had some great ones.

Before each and every show, I prayed "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer." It was to keep me focused, thankful and mindful of the responsibility that microphone demanded. It was a privilege each and every night.

We succeeded. We have no regrets and no apologies; left it all on the field as they say. And now we leave the field; honorably and satisfied.

Thank you for your collective support. On to the next. And oh yeah, there will be a next.

Humbly,

Mo'K

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