Charlamagne tha God
Born 1978 · Age 47
Known professionally as Charlamagne tha God, American radio host, TV presenter, podcaster, and author; co-host of The Breakfast Club and founder of the Black Effect Podcast Network.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Charleston, South Carolina
Lenard Larry McKelvey (later Charlamagne tha God) is born to Larry Thomas McKelvey and Julie Ford McKelvey.
First teen arrest(s) for drug possession
As a teenager in Moncks Corner he was arrested twice for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine (first known youth arrests).
Third arrest and jailed for 41 days; mother posts bail
After being near a non-fatal shooting he was arrested a third time, spent 41 days in jail; his mother paid bail and he began night school afterwards.
Graduate of Berkeley High School (via night school)
After his release and attending night school he graduated from Berkeley High School in Moncks Corner, SC.
Interned at Z93 Jamz (radio start)
Began radio career as an intern in the promotions department for Z93 Jamz in Charleston; later did voice-tracked slots and weekend on-air shifts.
Accused of sexual assault; DNA did not support intercourse claim
Accused of sexual assault after a party in 2001; he denied relations and provided DNA evidence; charges were dropped and he later pled to a misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Pled guilty to misdemeanor (contributing to delinquency); probation
After the 2001 accusation he ultimately pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and received three years' probation.
Worked at WHXT in Columbia, SC
Had on-air time and experience at Columbia station WHXT as part of early radio career prior to moving to national markets.
Moved to NYC area to become Wendy Williams' second mic
Left South Carolina to become second mic on The Wendy Williams Experience (Wendy Williams) on VH1; devised the stage name 'Charlamagne tha God'.
Laid off when Wendy Williams show taken off air
After controversy over hard-hitting questions and show changes, the Wendy Williams radio show went off-air and he was laid off in 2008.
Began hosting morning show for 100.3 The Beat (Philadelphia)
Took a morning show hosting position at Philadelphia's 100.3 The Beat after being laid off from Wendy Williams program.
Fired by 100.3 The Beat after Beanie Sigel interview
Was fired by the Philadelphia station days after airing an interview with Beanie Sigel; media speculation implicated industry pressure (Jay-Z rumor), though unproven.
Returned to Moncks Corner to live with his mother
After being fired in Philadelphia he moved back to Moncks Corner for about a year before being offered a position in New York.
Became co-host of The Breakfast Club (WWPR-FM)
Joined DJ Envy and Angela Yee on WWPR-FM New York as co-host of The Breakfast Club; the show later gained national syndication and a Revolt TV simulcast.
Coined self-titles on The Breakfast Club
Adopted on-air persona lines such as 'Prime Minister of Pissing People Off' that defined his provocative interview style.
Cast member on MTV2's Guy Code
Began serving as a cast member on Guy Code (MTV2), appearing through the show's run until its end in March 2015.
Film role: This Thing of Ours (short)
Appeared in the film This Thing of Ours (credited as 'Shottah Short').
VJ / co-host on The Week in Jams
Served as a VJ and co-host on MTV2's The Week in Jams with DJ Envy and Sofi Green (2012–2013).
Co-hosted MTV New Year's live from Times Square (2013)
Co-hosted MTV's New Year's live broadcast from Times Square (Dec 31, 2013).
Dubbed 'hip-hop's Howard Stern' by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone (Feb 5, 2014) ran a profile calling Charlamagne 'hip-hop's Howard Stern' in recognition of his provocative style.
Married Jessica Gadsden (high-school sweetheart)
Married longtime partner Jessica Gadsden, a fitness coach and personal trainer who supported him in early career struggles.
Co-hosted MTV New Year's live from Times Square (2014)
Co-hosted MTV's New Year's live broadcast from Times Square (Dec 31, 2014).
Began hosting MTV2's Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne
Started hosting Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne (MTV2), expanding his TV hosting resume.
Correspondent for MTV Video Music Awards pre-show
Served as a correspondent for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show.
Appeared on multiple TV shows and continued film roles
Continued film and TV appearances and hosting duties including recurring and guest roles (e.g., Empire appearances).
Published first book 'Black Privilege'
Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It published by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster; described as a 'self-help guide for the hood.'
Black Privilege reached #6 on NYT Hardcover Nonfiction list
The book ranked sixth on the New York Times hardcover non-fiction best-seller list (May 7, 2017).
Published second book 'Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me'
Released Shook One, a candid exploration of anxiety and mental health (Atria Books).
Host of Emerging Hollywood (The Hollywood Reporter YouTube series)
Began hosting Emerging Hollywood where he interviewed Hollywood pros about topics including politics and representation.
Hosts/co-hosts major podcasts (Brilliant Idiots; network grows)
Continued hosting The Brilliant Idiots (with Andrew Schulz) and grew Black Effect podcasts including popular shows on the network.
Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame (with Breakfast Club co-hosts)
Charlamagne and his Breakfast Club co-hosts DJ Envy and Angela Yee were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame (Aug 2020).
Founded Black Effect Podcast Network with iHeartMedia
Launched the Black Effect Podcast Network in partnership with iHeartMedia to amplify Black podcasters and creators (Variety Sept 9, 2020).
Became host of Tha God's Honest Truth / Hell of a Week
Started hosting the late-night talk show Tha God's Honest Truth (sometimes referenced as Hell of a Week) on Comedy Central (2021–22).
Explained role of wife in supporting early career
Publicly noted that his wife Jessica supported him financially and personally during early radio struggles, including driving him to his first internship application because his license was suspended.
Continued national TV and documentary appearances
Appearances on The Daily Show (as recurring host), Soul of a Nation, and other cultural programs continued to raise profile.
Published 'Get Honest or Die Lying: Why Small Talk Sucks'
Released his third/publication in 2024 arguing for more honest, substantive conversation.
Black Effect Podcast Festival inaugural year (inferred)
Black Effect Podcast Festival held (reports indicate the festival would be in its second year by 2025, implying inaugural activity in 2024).
Reflected on 27-year radio career (WGCI / iHeart interview)
In August 2025 interview he reflected on a 27-year run in radio that began with Z93 Jamz internships and early voice-tracked slots.
Net worth reported/estimated
Media profiles and aggregator sites estimate Charlamagne tha God's net worth at roughly $10M (2024–2025 estimates commonly reported).
Ongoing: co-host of The Breakfast Club
Continues as co-host of the nationally syndicated The Breakfast Club (6–10 a.m. weekday slot on Power 105.1 / national syndication).
Key Achievement Ages
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