We had the good fortune of connecting with Al Pizzle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Al, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
The real answer to that question is to answer these following questions: What is your WHY? Is your WHY worth giving up, or worth it enough to keep going? My WHY used to be for selfish reasons, such as wanting to prove myself right regardless of what others thought about me. It was never about proving anybody wrong. I wanted to prove to myself that I was/am more than capable of accomplishing absolutely anything that I put my heart into. As I’ve dove deeper in my journey of life, I’ve slowly started to realize that my WHY has extended beyond my own satisfactions. There will be so many moments where you just want to throw your hands up and give it all up. To go even deeper, I’ve been in really depressed places in my life to where I was close to taking my own life. I thought about giving up so many times, until that voice in my head and heart started reminding me WHY I should choose to keep going. To keep going or to give up are both choices, so I CHOSE to keep going BECAUSE (my why) I know the capabilities I have to make people feel good and smile. I choose to keep going because I want my future children to look up to their dad (hey, that’s me!) and inspire them to feel like they too can accomplish anything they truly want to desire in life. I choose to keep going because I want to continue to show my little sister the standard of how a man should treat her, by leading by example and doing so with my lady. Next time you feel like giving up, ask yourself…. if I decide to keep going, what is my WHY? WHO is my WHY? I feel confident that you’ll get your answer right there! – @ItsAlPizzle

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

These days, who’s ONLY one thing? I am a radio personality, DJ, musician, and motivational speaker. Let’s break all 4 down.

Radio personality: an 11-year journey from NYC to Miami. I hosted my own show every night on the radio for about 3-4 years, and co-hosted the #1 morning show in Miami for a year and a half. The best part of that job was not about the celebrities, but absolutely because of the platform I had to impact and inspire so many people.

DJ: I’ve been a DJ literally since I was 12 years old. Been DJing in the clubs since I was 14. And now, I am the founder & owner of Pizzle Productions LLC! I currently DJ and MC many weddings, private/public events, etc. (SO IF YOU NEED A DJ FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT IN FLORIDA, HOLLA AT ME!) I truly feel so purposeful in creating “FOREVER MEMORIES”, as I like to call it, for my clients and guests at every party I DJ and host.

Musician: I sing, rap, I’m a songwriter and producer. I dabble on the keys, and my next dream is to be able to create music that will inspire a generation. I want to help people get out of their dark holes and inspire them to reach their own self-greatness through my music. It’s already been an amazing process with my team and I’m already looking forward to sharing my stories with the world within the next year!

Motivational speaker: self explanatory, no? My purpose on this earth is to inspire anyone that crosses paths with me. I want people to feel seen, heard and loved. I want them to know that it’s okay to not be okay, and that I’m with them on that journey. I want to speak to the masses and inspire people to become the best versions of themselves!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh I like this question! Definitely gotta take them to Miami Beach for a beach day and lunch at La Sandwecherie. Night time vibes, we out to Wood Tavern, El Patio (if they were still open) and Brick in Wynwood. Then probably end up in Space or E11even overnight. Then we wake up early Sunday morning and hit up the 11am service at Vous Church! If you’re somebody I genuinely love, we’re doing Miami RIGHT!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Get ready for a long list!

Alex Sensation: I was 12 when I heard him on the radio for the first time. His mixes were so cool to me, but what was so much cooler was his conversations with his listeners and his ability to make them feel warm and welcomed. From there, I knew I wanted to be that kind of guy for people through music.

AJ El Kallejero: I was a hungry 18 year old DJ just wanting an opportunity to get my foot into the doorsteps of radio. He opened that door up with allowing me to become his intern. He was my mentor, my big brother, and today he is my best friend.

DJ Mad: He inspired me to be a great DJ and MC. He opened his home to me and helped me refine my first radio tapes that would ultimately land me an opportunity in Miami.

Lulu & Lala: Barely knowing me, they put my name out there to the bosses at their radio station in Miami, which led me to getting an offer to move down from Paterson, NJ to the 305.

Dan Greene: My best friend and my dawg coming up in the radio industry. Incredible producer, but an even better human being, Quick story: my mom lost her job and was -$200 in the bank. Couldn’t afford food to feed herself and my little sister. I vented to Dan about this just because I needed a friend to talk to. Next day, he gave me a $250+ gift card to Shop Rite so my mom doesn’t have to go hungry for a while. That’s the kind of heart my brother Dan has. Appreciate you dawg.

Abel Sanchez: I used to literally live in an office at my old radio station in NYC for almost 2 months. One day, Abel tells me at 3am in the studio that he and his wife are trying to get rid of their car, and literally GIFTS me their car. WHO DOES THAT?!?!?!? Forever grateful to him and his wife for that beautiful gesture.

Yanni Ramirez: He has nothing to do with radio, but everything to do with being an angel in my life. When I got a job offer in Miami and accepted, I had no money and knew practically nobody in the entire state of Florida. Something told me to call Yanni when I got the job, and on his own, he offered me to stay on his couch for a couple months til I figured things out and got on my feet. My dawg for life.

Kimberly Bell: The big sis in Miami. We worked together at the same radio station in Miami for 5 years. We argued a lot and we shared a lot of beautiful moments together. She’s seen me at my worst and was always there to pick me up. She was never hesitant to put me in my place when I needed it, and I needed that a LOT to be honest. One quick story to tell you why Kimmy is on this list. I was being financially irresponsible to a point that my car got repo’d. I was riding my bike (provided by Dia Ryan) to work and home 6 days a week. After two weeks of that, Kimmy said no more bike. She and her mother literally GAVE me their car for a whole YEAR for free til I was able to get my life back together and get my own car. She’s crazy af, but I love her crazy ass. Love you Bizzle.

Edgar Sotelo: The man who introduced me to having a relationship with Jesus. I worked for E’s morning show in NYC with Dan Greene on this list, and E gave me an opportunity to be a part of the show. Little known fact, I was verbally committed to the Air Force and then said NAH I AIN’T GOING because E asked me if I wanted to be on his morning show. That’s cool and all, but E is on this list because I look up to him as the father he is, the friend and brother he is, the son that he is, and the son of GOD that he is. He was that bridge that Jesus sent to me so that I can truly begin my spiritual journey in finding myself, and building my relationship with God. Thank you forever E. My big brother and my angel.

Sergio Bolivar: Literally my big brother. No matter how many times I pissed him off when I was younger, he always loved me unconditionally. He always had my back and still does. My role model, a great father, a great friend, a great guy PERIOD!

Lupita Santiago: My step mom! When I was homeless, it was Lupita who told my dad to bring me in to their home. I stayed in my little brother Justin’s bedroom in his twin size SpongeBob bed. I wasn’t always the best son, but she loved me like I was one of her own. Forever grateful to have TWO moms in this life. Thank you Lupe!

The real list is longer. But that’s the spark notes version lol. <3

Website: www.alpizzle.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/ItsAlPizzle

Twitter: Twitter.com/ItsAlPizzle

Facebook: Facebook.com/ItsAlPizzle

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlPizzle

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.