Who's That?: Jose Covaco jockeys for attention

The VJ of popular shows on MTV says he enjoys the best of both worlds and wants to retire early and relax

All of 26 years old, Jose Covaco has six years of experience as a radio jockey (RJ) and has recently joined MTV as a video jockey (VJ). He hosts popular shows such as MTV Pepsi Youngistaan and MTV Fantastic Five.

Covaco's stint with radio started when he was in his last year of college, studying physics. He says that he graduated in physics because his parents wanted him to do something in a “sane” field. However, after graduation, he decided that he did not want to study further and wanted to start working.

A friend working with a radio channel told him of a vacancy at 93.5 Red FM. He applied, got selected and started out as a trainee for an initial three months, after which he was asked to go on air. His first show as a host was an evening show called Mumbai Local (currently hosted by RJ Mantra).

Recalling his first three months at Red FM, Covaco says he felt like he was at sea “with no boat in sight”. After that, he got used to it. Currently, he hosts MTV Pepsi Youngistaan and MTV Fantastic Five from Monday to Friday. In addition, he still does the Saturday morning show on Red FM, called Comedy No. 1, with Suresh Menon. He's really happy with this arrangement because he says he gets the best of both worlds. “Radio was and will always be my first love,” he affirms.

Nevertheless, after spending six years in the radio space, Covaco wanted to explore more options. The natural next step was MTV because “no other place is as mad and as crazy and does things like MTV”, he says. “If MTV hadn't happened, I don't know what I would be doing now.”

Covaco says that one of his most memorable days as an RJ was July 26, 2005, when Mumbai was deluged by torrential rains. He recalls how all the RJs, who were on air throughout the day and night, helped stranded people by using radio as “a giant loudspeaker”. He adds that eventually, he would like to associate himself with an NGO working for underprivileged children because he firmly believes that children are the future of the country.

So, what does he do besides work? He smiles and says that he loves to sleep and is a video game addict. After radio and television, what next? Although he does not know the answer to that, Covaco is sure that he wants to retire early and just relax.

Surprisingly, he has never done voiceovers or ad jingles because “no one has ever approached him”. He says he would love to do something like that and is open to such offers. Any takers?

(Who's that? is an effort to highlight the lesser known talents from the advertising, media and marketing industry.)