In Nigerian radio, big voices do not always come in big frames. Kemi Smallz, nicknamed Radio Rat by her loyal listeners partly because of her compact 5-foot frame, has proven time and again that presence on air has nothing to do with physical stature and everything to do with energy, instinct, and the ability to make people feel genuinely listened to. She is one of the more interesting personalities to have emerged from a new generation of Nigerian on-air talent: formally educated in English literature, artistically raised in a home full of colour and sculpture, and professionally shaped by a media industry she entered as a teenager and never really left.
Kemi Smallz Biography
| Real Name | Oluwakemi Itari Owatemi |
| Stage Name | Kemi Smallz |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Yoruba/Ondo from father; Bayelsa from mother) |
| Height | 5 feet (approximately) |
| Profession | Radio Presenter, Voice-Over Artist, MC, TV Personality |
| Siblings | Four (she is the first child) |
| Education | University of Lagos (BA, English Language) |
| Known For | Cool FM presenter; former City FM OAP; MTV VJ Search finalist |
Early Life and Background
Oluwakemi Itari Owatemi was born on January 8, 1990, in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the first of five children in her family. Her father is a sculptor and visual artist from Ondo State, and her mother is an interior decorator from Bayelsa State. Growing up in a household shaped by two creative professionals gave Kemi an early immersion in aesthetics, colour theory, and the idea that how something looks and feels matters deeply. Her father’s studio, filled with sculpture and paint, became something of a playground for her imagination.
She has described her childhood as defined by art in every form, an environment that trained her eye and her sensibility long before she ever stood in front of a microphone. The nickname Smallz came naturally from people around her who used it as a friendly reference to her height. It stuck, eventually becoming inseparable from her professional identity.
Education
Kemi attended the University of Lagos, where she studied English Language and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. The discipline of English, with its attention to language, grammar, narrative structure, and communication nuance, was a natural fit for someone already drawn to broadcasting. It gave her a theoretical foundation for the instinctive skill she had been developing since childhood.
Even before completing her formal education, she had already begun working in media at a professional level, demonstrating early that her career would not wait for certificates before taking shape.
Career Journey
Kemi Smallz began her media career in 2004 at the age of fourteen, when she worked as a child presenter for Tales Africa, Kiddies Island, and Generation Next. These early radio and television appearances gave her microphone confidence and audience awareness that most people her age simply did not have. The experience was formative, teaching her the rhythms of live broadcasting and the discipline required to engage listeners consistently.
In 2013, she participated in the MTV Base VJ Search Nigeria and emerged as one of the top three finalists, a competitive result that validated her talent on a national stage and significantly raised her professional profile. Though she did not win the competition outright, the exposure was considerable and opened new professional doors.
She went on to join City FM, a Lagos lifestyle radio station, where she worked from 2013 to 2017 and built a substantial following. During her time at City FM, she co-hosted programmes, developed her own broadcasting voice, and began collecting industry recognition. In 2015 and 2017, she was nominated for On-Air Personality of the Year at the ELOY Awards, and in 2015 and 2016, she was nominated at the Scream Awards in the same category.
She also made her television debut during this period, appearing as part of the five-member ensemble on EbonyLife TV’s Moving Up the Squad, which aired on DStv in October 2017. She made guest appearances on MTV Base Fitfam and EbonyLife TV’s On the Spot, demonstrating that she could translate her radio energy effectively onto screen.
In 2017, she moved to Cool FM, one of Nigeria’s largest and most commercially significant radio stations, where she has built her current following. At Cool FM, she hosts a midday show and has continued to expand her reach through social media, events hosting, and voice-over work. She is part of a creative collective called Miscreants Inc. alongside other young Nigerian media personalities, which reflects her broader sense of community within the industry.
Voice-Over Work and Events Hosting
Outside of her regular radio presenting role, Kemi Smallz has established a parallel career as a voice-over artist and master of ceremonies. Her voice is versatile and distinctive, making her sought after for commercial voice-over work for brands across various sectors. As an MC, she has hosted corporate events, brand launches, and cultural gatherings, leveraging the same audience management skills she developed on radio.
Philosophy and Approach
In interviews, Kemi Smallz has spoken thoughtfully about what she believes makes a good broadcaster. She is emphatic that authenticity matters more than performance, that listeners can sense immediately when someone is being real with them and when they are simply filling time. She has also been vocal about the importance of Nigerian radio presenters staying current with music trends and genuinely caring about the artists they play, rather than treating the playlist as incidental to their job.
Her social media presence extends that authenticity into the digital space. She shares her personal perspectives, cultural observations, and a warmth that is clearly consistent with the personality she brings to the airwaves.
Awards and Recognition
Her professional achievements include the Radio Personality of the Year at the MAYA Awards in 2016, the Students Choice OAP of the Year at the ANUCA Awards in 2016, the City People Music Award for Female On-Air Personality of the Year in 2016, The Future Awards Africa Prize for On-Air Personality Radio in 2016, and the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award for Outstanding Radio Programme Presenter. She was also recognised by the Nigerian Institute of Journalism for her contribution to the media industry in May 2016. In 2020, she received the POPA Award.
Personal Life
Kemi Smallz has kept her romantic life largely private. She has not publicly confirmed any relationship or marriage. There was brief public interest in 2020 when Big Brother Naija Season 5 winner Laycon reportedly expressed admiration for her, but no relationship was publicly confirmed. She focuses primarily on her professional narrative in public-facing communications.
Net Worth
Kemi Smallz’s estimated net worth is in the range of 150,000 US dollars, drawn from her radio income, events hosting, voice-over commissions, and brand partnerships. These are informal estimates and have not been confirmed by her.
Conclusion
Kemi Smallz represents something worth paying attention to in Nigerian broadcasting: a young talent who entered the industry as a child, took it seriously as a craft, and built a consistent professional reputation through genuine ability rather than celebrity by association. Her radio career has depth and range, her voice-over work shows commercial versatility, and her thoughtfulness about the profession itself suggests someone who understands what she is building. The nickname Radio Rat, meant warmly by her audience, captures something true about her: she is thoroughly, happily at home in the radio space, and that ease makes everything she does there better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kemi Smallz’s real name?
Her real name is Oluwakemi Itari Owatemi.
How old is Kemi Smallz?
She was born on January 8, 1990, making her 36 years old as of 2026.
Why is she called Radio Rat?
The nickname came from her listeners and colleagues partly as a reference to her height of approximately 5 feet, and partly as an affectionate acknowledgement of how deeply at home she is in the radio environment.
Where does Kemi Smallz currently work?
She currently works as a presenter at Cool FM Lagos.
What awards has Kemi Smallz won?
She has won the Radio Personality of the Year at the MAYA Awards, the City People Music Award for Female OAP of the Year, The Future Awards Africa Prize for OAP Radio, among other recognitions, all in 2016.
Ademola Olasegun is a Nigerian writer, researcher, and digital media professional with over a decade of experience creating informative content across technology, education, business, lifestyle, and public affairs. Passionate about making complex topics easy to understand, he has built a reputation for producing well-researched articles that combine accuracy, clarity, and practical value for readers. His work focuses on helping audiences stay informed through credible reporting, in-depth analysis, and engaging storytelling.
Throughout his career, Ademola has collaborated with online publications, content platforms, and independent media projects, contributing articles, research reports, and editorial content tailored to diverse audiences. With a strong commitment to fact-checking and evidence-based writing, he continuously explores emerging trends, conducts extensive research, and transforms data into accessible insights. Through his work at JustKnow, Ademola aims to provide readers with trustworthy information that empowers better decisions and promotes lifelong learning.