star looks for fresh air

[AS SEEN IN THE NEW YORK METRO]

Embattled radio host eyes comeback after charges dropped

by joshua rhett miller / metro new york

Now that criminal charges against Troi Torain, 42, aka Star — a former Power 105 radio host who was fired for making racist and explicit comments on air about a rival’s wife and daughter — will be dropped, he wants a new start. Torain (above) spoke to Metro yesterday after his court appearance about nearly having to face the music.

So what’s next for you?

I got a lot of great opportunities that I didn’t realize I had since this quagmire happened. You have to make the best out of things. I’m 42 years of age, man. I’m excited to be moving forward — trying to put a book together. My Web site, starandbucwild.com, will keep listeners updated, and I have television and radio meetings next week.

In retrospect, did you go too far?

I never should have been arrested. We all don’t like some things people say, but if you’re not breaking the law, are you not an advocate of freedom of speech? Or do you have a problem with a certain subculture? Where we’re going as a nation is scary, and I’ve spoken about this in the past on my show. Of course [the comments] were taken out of context. To people who are not in the world of hip-hop and rap radio, it would all seem to be overtly aggressive. Did I intend to bring harm to anyone? Of course not. I’m a man of sound mind and a rational thinker. But I don’t necessarily feel that my opinion here means anything after the legal decision — the charges were dropped.

Hot 97 remains the top-rated station in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic. Would that be different if you were still at Power 105?

I’m sure to some degree, but I don’t wish anything bad upon [Power 105]. I’m not angry. That station is what it is. I’ll be going to a different station with different people and people have to realize that there are limits that are pushed — and it’s not just from one person.

Are you considering other formats?

I’d love to do more of a rock format or an alternative show. Hip-hop just doesn’t excite me, it never really has. I don’t even listen to rap radio, I never did. I guess that’s my appeal to people — I’m an outsider.

Were your fans supportive after your arrest?

I was supported by listeners, but I don’t consider them fans. These are people who listen from all genres and all age categories.

Were you unfairly targeted by police and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office?

I’m not a person that needs to cry about what happened to me. Please note that I have never waived the flag of racism. We are at a much different time in our society. Nobody seems to care that we’re becoming a totalitarian nation. You can’t even drive through a tunnel without having your information checked. America is being gutted, man, and we’re brokering our own
demise.

Outside of a police station after your arrest, you told a reporter: “You’re looking at the new Lenny Bruce.” Do you still feel that way?

Yeah. [Comedian] Lenny Bruce shot dope and coke, and died of an overdose, but the guy walked through the fire. Howard Stern never had cold steel on his wrist, but yet he’s made out to be a martyr for free speech. Give me a break.

What did you learn from the ordeal?

I’m political, I’m progressive and I’m informative. I didn’t just all of a sudden pop up on Clear Channel’s radio station and say what I said. I was brought in to do a certain style of radio and I was supported by Clear Channel, so with that being said, for me to get into another situation in light of what has happened now, I’m sure a station would not want that style of radio. Am I capable of doing clean radio? Absolutely.


WHAT HAPPENED

• Star was fired by WWPR-FM in May after on-air comments he made about Gia Casey, the wife of Hot 97’s DJ Envy, and the couple’s 4-year-old daughter.
• During broadcasts on May 3-8, Torain said he wanted to urinate and ejaculate on the girl, offered $500 to any listener who told him where she attended school, and used racial epithets to describe Mrs. Casey.
• He was later arrested by detectives from the Hate Crimes Unit on charges of criminal weapons possession and endangering the welfare of a child.
• A judge yesterday agreed to drop the case in six months if Torain does three days community service and stays away from the Caseys, according to Manhattan District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Barbara Thompson. She said that the decision to drop the charges was made in order to “serve the best interests” of the 4-year-old victim.