Being the daughter of one of music’s most inventive trailblazers, it isn’t shocking that Novena Carmel is a creative force who is shaping her own journey, note by note.
Carmel has always followed her own rhythm, and that’s not solely because her father is Sylvester Stewart, better known to the world as Sly Stone.
The host of KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, the legendary radio program that has defied conventional formats since 1977, serving as a springboard for numerous careers and a venue for intimate live sessions with some of the era’s biggest figures, including Bob Marley, Nneka, Thundercat, Stevie Wonder, and beyond, Carmel joined as host alongside co-host Anthony Valadez in 2021.
On Becoming a Living Symbol of Black History
Her position is historically meaningful, marking her as the first Black host of the popular KCRW radio show, a cornerstone among Los Angeles’s NPR affiliates. Moreover, she recognizes her role and impact as a woman in the DJ sphere.
“I was just at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the most recent one they had, and Salt-N-Pepa entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and that made Spinderella the first-ever woman DJ for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. So there’s still historical moments to be made as a woman DJ, and for me, it’s an absolute blessing,” Carmel told MadameNoire.
“Anything I can do that’s gonna inspire somebody else is a blessing. I think that’s what we’re here for, to help each other, to inspire each other. Other people have inspired me. I mean, DJ Rashida, before I was ever DJing, just one person that comes to mind, and I’ve always had the mindset of being generous with my knowledge. I don’t gatekeep. Whenever I can help people with the knowledge or experience that I have, I look for those opportunities.”
“It’s funny that it all began making sense, and I think what Sly and I share most deeply is a commanding presence that spreads joy and makes everyone feel included. That, to me, is what truly matters, and I know I can bring that energy to many different platforms as well.”
KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic airs on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pacific Time, delivering a three-hour blend of music and conversation with host Novena Carmel.
