Number One Hype Man

Bojo Ackah is on the mic everywhere lately, and that’s by design

By Camille Cannon / Photo By Jose Salinas

Before soundtracking afternoon drives on 100.5 KXQQ-FM or hyping up 60,000 fans inside Allegiant Stadium, the “Bojo Show” was happening on the team bus. Young Robert-Joseph “Bojo” Ackah, who played soccer and football, entertained his teammates on long drives by interviewing them like it was post-game coverage on ESPN.

“I remember one time I had to sit a game out due to injury, and I started hyping up fans from the sidelines,” he says. For Bojo, being a hype man comes naturally. These days, he’s bringing the energy to Las Vegas’ biggest stages.

Scroll through Bojo’s Instagram and it looks like he’s figured out the magic of being in two, maybe three places at once. In addition to his full-time radio gig, he’s a regular in-arena host for the Vegas Golden Knights, UNLV Rebels Football and NBA Summer League, just to name a few. He’s also a sought-after emcee for events including UNLVino and the Nevada Business Hall of Fame, and he hosted a recent press conference for Mike Tyson. For Bojo, making a career out of sports and entertainment was always part of the plan.

“From early on, I knew I wanted to be a radio personality, or host television like Arsenio Hall,” says Ackah, who would create pretend radio shows from home as a kid. “My sister and I took fake calls and all that.”

It was sports, however, that ultimately drew Bojo from his Southern California hometown to Las Vegas. He moved here with an athletic scholarship to play soccer and study communications at UNLV. Upon graduating, Bojo entered the workforce eager to gain experience in the radio industry.

“I figured out pretty quickly that I would have to earn my stripes,” says Bojo, whose first radio gig was an apprenticeship with Beasley Media Group. “I started on the street team, but my goal was always to be on air.” Determined to reach his goal, he sought advice and training from the on-air jocks. Finally, his first shift was 2 to 5 a.m. He continued to work late nights, overnights and early mornings, eventually transitioning to Audacy (then CBS Radio). “I had opportunities to go full-time in smaller markets,” says Bojo, but he never wanted to leave Las Vegas.

For 10 years, Bojo balanced multiple jobs in bars and restaurants between his radio shifts to make it all work. In January 2016, he got what he’d been waiting for when he was offered the afternoon drive time slot on the new Q100.5.

The jump to full-time jock status brought Bojo new attention and opportunities, especially as Las Vegas grew into a sports town. Already hosting for the NBA Summer League, Bojo became part of many “firsts” in Southern Nevada sports history. He was the first in-game host for the Las Vegas Lights FC (a perfect marriage of his passions for hosting and soccer), the NBA G League Ignite during their Henderson tenure and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.

Entertaining stadiums full of sports fans is Bojo’s new normal. Does he ever get nervous addressing thousands of people? “Yes, but the nerves pass quickly,” he says with his signature confidence. “Once I hear my voice projecting out of the speakers, I know I’m about to connect with people in a way that no one else can.”

Bojo says his pre-show routines always begin with preparation and research. “I take a deep breath and remind myself that I’m going to give 100 percent,” he says. No matter what numbers are on the scoreboard at the end of a match, he sees it as his responsibility to give everyone a memorable experience. “Energy, energy, energy,” is his mantra before games. “I want people to leave the event thinking, ‘That guy Bojo really brought it,’” he says.

The fact is: The “Bojo Show” always had an audience, whether it was at home with his sister or on the bus with his soccer teammates. His innate ability, radio pedigree and athletic background have all prepared him for the present moment. “I feel like I came up with this city,” says Bojo. Now that Las Vegas is fully in its professional sports era, he is the natural fit to grow with it.

Although he’s on the field with a microphone these days, Bojo’s athletic mentality remains strong: “I want to make sure I’m at the top level. I want to be thought of as a staple when it comes to sports entertainment,” he says. For now, that means continuing to wear multiple hats. “I love this city so much, and this is my way of giving back. I hope I can help inspire someone else,” he says.

When asked what young Robert-Joseph would say of the career he has now, Bojo insists: “We’re not done yet. I want to continue to make myself and my family proud,” he says. (He and wife Heidi are proud parents to Amaya, 9, and Isaiah, 5.) “I want to give Vegas that national spotlight,” he says. Looking ahead, Bojo is ready to follow in the footsteps of his inspiration, Arsenio.

“I’m looking forward to people seeing me on their televisions,” he says. “That’s what’s next for Bojo.”