Wade Randolph Hampton, professionally known as W, also known as WishFM), is an American DJ, film and music producer, and recording artist.
In 1987, Hampton and mentor Kerry Jaggers opened the nightclub, Westend, in Austin. He moved to Chicago a year later, before relocating to Los Angeles.
While in Los Angeles and later in San Francisco, Hampton became involved in the West Coast rave scene. Along with then-partner Stephanie Smiley, he founded Faster Bamboo, a shop "designed to provide hard-to-find cutting-edge music and underground club info".
In 1995, Hampton signed a record label distribution deal with Moonshine Music to launch Domestic Recordings, through which he released music under the names âÂÂWâ and âÂÂWish FMâÂÂ. He also released albums from acts such as Mark Farina, Symbiosis, and Westside Chemical. After moving to San Francisco, he found success with his weekly night âÂÂLa Belle Epoqueâ at 'The Top' nightclub.
From 2006 to 2012, Hampton was Director of Dallasâ 'Ghostbar' nightclub, located on top of the W Hotel.
Hampton made his acting debut in the independent film Groove (2000), for which he also served as music producer. Groove was nominated for âÂÂBest Film Under $500,000â at the 17th Independent Spirit Awards.
Hampton was also the Music Supervisor for the 2006 film TV Junkie, which won the âÂÂSpecial Grand Jury Prize for a Documentaryâ at the Sundance Film Festival.
Hampton grew up in Dallas, Texas. He currently resides in Los Angeles and has a son from his relationship with Stephanie Smiley.
In the 1990s, Hampton befriended psychologist Timothy Leary and later DJ'ed at Leary's funeral memorial.