Somehow Someway
9.1.2026 | 8:59pm | Tuesday | Somehow Someway
9 Year Old Me
I am so proud of me. From dark days chasing a dream in a broken home, I have grown into a person I am proud to present. I put in a lot of work to be the person I needed when I was younger. It’s a cliché theory on how to live life, but I think I’m on a path to being that person. The best part is being that person for the next generation. I am flawed, I have things I continue to work on, but overall I passed my own checklist daily. I continue to analyze and deconstruct the things that remove my own personal joy and try to find ways to approach certain things in a different way. I work hard. I play hard and I consistently put in time to make my dreams real, even if it’s still in its infancy stage.
Radio Tower Logo
It was sometime in 2024. On my drive home I would drive past this sign. I’m pretty sure it’s an old CB radio shop. The logo was a nostalgic radio tower with waves into the air. It resonated with me for some reason. I reimagined the basic concept. I added a star & a heart along with the waves as a design concept for Out Here Records & Tapes. The radio tower symbolizing love of music and a connection to the community [Out Here] the star was positive energy and heart symbolized big love. Spreading love and positive energy to the community. I didn’t see it as anything more other than a cool design I could use on stickers and tee shirts.
Written In the Stars
Sometimes it’s in plain sight before we even realize it. I’ve been driving for uber in major cities across the country for the last 8 years. It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve met CEO’s, DJ’s, Politicians [not worth mentioning] Comedians, the producer of the movie Holes. [Yes, I secretly semi-jokingly pleaded for a role in a movie with Shia Lebouf] but never did I imagine the morning radio host for Milwaukee’s Number One Hit Music station would be sitting in my car. I get it. Radio is a lost art. Outside the listening area B-list celebrities aren’t really recognized, but it was major for me. The morning banter is typically gossipy and humorously relatable stories as a way to keep us entertained and engaged on our morning commute, but my dear next passenger was none other than …
Alley MF Faith
Who knew? A voice I’ve heard on air since Sophomore year of high school getting ready in the morning. A legend! An icon! The voice of Milwaukee in my back seat as an uber passenger. All I asked for was a shout out on Monday. Instead I got invited to come on the show. Mornings with Alley & DZ. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a neurotic freak. Sometimes I just can’t get out of my own head, but something told me to risk being late for work for an opportunity to connect with the listeners. It would be fun to reconnect with old passengers I may have forgotten or lost touch with. I know I make a small impact and that even if we aren’t in contact, I hope people would remember something about this uber driver. It was so much fun doing the show with Alley & DZ and quite a powerful rush.
Different
I knew from the beginning I wasn’t going to be like all these other bum ahh uber drivers. I have a particular set of skills that I’ve neglected without direct access to a college degree in my respective fields. With a passion for marketing and graphic arts I employed myself to create a memorable experience. It’s been trials & tribulations. Missteps and start overs, but I remain consistent. The mission always was to connect with the community. I come across so many people from all walks of life. I have a lot of interesting conversations with strangers almost daily. I might as well try to add value and upsell without them even realizing it. Snacks and water was the easiest thing to start. Welcome signs and branding made guests feel comfortable and conversations would lead us all over the place. I try to stand out as quietly as possible.
The People Spoke
It’s my greatest honor and pleasure to be loved by my passengers. I am happy to match energy and spark conversations that lead to personal breakthroughs. It’s more than just uber. I’m building something big and I’m in no rush to make it happen. There is an extreme sense of urgency but no save to date [Maybe that’s the issue] a timeline would probably light a fire under my ass to make it real, but I’m enjoying the slow burn and gradually building tight knit connections with like minded individuals. I feel like that’s the key to making this whole thing last forever. Connecting dots even if I’m unable to assist someone else, it’s nice to have a Rolodex of creative people on a mission willing to help someone else on their dream. it’s a never ending work in progress that I’ll never give up.
Radio Tower Building
The logo came full circle when everything it represented truly shined in my 15 minute interview. Naturally I stammer, I studder, I mumble and speak monotone when I’m nervous. I have my shinning outgoing moments but they are few and far between [maybe that’s changing] I practiced certain ideas and stories to make it more compelling. I wanted to be prepared and not sound rehearsed.
At some point leading up to the day. I stopped my brain from over focusing on those things. I wanted it to be random. I wanted to leave it opened ended and allow them to direct the conversation. I honestly believe I nailed it. I couldn’t be more proud of the authentic side of me that emitted from the radio frequency.
There were a few lines I wanted to get off on live radio.
“grand risings to all the sage burners & crystal collectors”
“if you see me say whassup, skii-yee”
“I love you”
so many other things I forgot but these core things made me feel good.
The unrehearsed stuff came natural. It’s my story and I know it better than anyone else and I’m ready to share another side of me.
Pure Adrenaline
In my 38 years, I’ve experienced and experimented with many things as an adrenaline junky. Never did I imagine this was going to be such an amazing feeling. I’ve always hated the following count on social media. It’s a truly false sense of gratification. It means nothing and the fact that big companies value that makes me sick, but in 2026 it’s almost if not already part of every day life. Like, Follows, Clicks, Subs… they do anything for clout [on some Cardi B sh*t] my experience online was connecting with other like minded people across the globe. Which is amazing. I have people to see when I travel places to explore, but I need a more centralized community locally to make this thing happen.
Marketing & Advertising
My early welcome signs looked like the yellow pages trying to highlight people building dreams while subtly sneaking in my own advertising and product placement. It was messy but the idea was always there. Shine the light on others and sprinkle a little of my own in the mix. When I left Kiss FM studios I had 60 new followers and over 120 new people in the following week. It’s incredible. All people in the local greater Milwaukee area. Reaching old elementary school friends, new people into the idea and a huge out pouring of love after the segment. I heard messages like “it was nice hearing a new voice on the radio” my mind ran wild with ideas trying to manifest a routine slot on the morning show every now and then. I was starting to rehearse and practice stories for the next time. I was on the highest of highs for a full 24+ hours. I couldn’t sleep with excitement. Keeping an outfit ready incase I got a last minute call. I don’t think Alley really knows how much I would love to be there weekly unpaid for 15-30 minutes a day. I could definitely keep it interesting and feel like I could shake up Milwaukee radio, but I digress. I have other big ambitions to chase and if this somehow becomes part of it. I’m ready but for now. I gotta keep the thread going.
Invisible String
Alley is a Swiftie too!!! Maybe it was fate that allowed this to happen. It rocked my world, I’ve been more excited to do uber, more eager to tell my story and truly a fulfilling moment to share my big dreams with the people in the area. I’m often too shy to speak on it in fear of being rejected or laughed at for having such a crazy wild unreasonably huge dream, but the closer I get, the more work I put in, the more I believe in the possibility. Even if I never get another minute on air. I spoke what I needed to into the air waves that will live on forever. I am tied to this dream and won’t stop until I’m standing in the building and making it happen daily … from the mud.
Thank you Alley, DZ & all of Kiss FM for giving me the time to speak to our people. It was an incredible experience and I can’t wait to reflect back on this moment of the journey and how it gave me a much needed jolt of energy to get back on my grind.
If you see me say whassup! SKEE-YII
with love,
Rudy J Cruz