395:
153:
27:
784:, Arthanayake stated that working within an "overwhelmingly white" environment at the BBC depressed him and affected his mental health due to the lack of diversity. He went on to say "It’s really affecting me that I walk in and all I see is white people". GB News commentators took offence at his statement, labelling it "
427:. At the end of 2004, they released a compilation album as a reflection of the music they play on the show. After an initial high-profile start, the show was rescheduled to the early morning 'graveyard' hours. Eventually Bobby Friction left the show, leaving the title as "Asian Beats with Nihal".
263:
Nihal began a career as a rap recording artist performing as 'MC Krayzee A'. In 1988 he released the track 'Into The Music' on the
British Hip Hop compilation 'Hard Core One' on BPM Records. In 1995, Nihal was a member of the group 'The Muddie Funksters' and released the 4-track EP 'Brown Like
434:. He also provided holiday cover for Radio 1 colleagues. In September 2008 he was moved from weekend breakfast to weekend afternoons 13.00-16.00 on Radio 1. On 21 September 2009, Arthanayake was moved from weekends to a brand-new review programme, named
657:
in May 2004 as an opportunity to showcase his love of rap music - but with a distinctly Asian perspective. Since its creation, Bombay Bronx has seen some of the biggest artists on the 'Asian Beats' scene perform live, such as
449:
to become the host of the daily phone-in talk show from 09.00-12.00 on the Asian
Network. In April 2009 his show moved to 13.00-15.00 as part of schedule changes. In late 2012 the show moved to 10.00-13.00.
430:
In
October 2007 Arthanayake became the presenter of the Weekend Breakfast Show on Radio 1; he was one of only two DJs to present both a mainstream and a specialist show on the channel, the other being
917:
1486:
1476:
1026:
1521:
1536:
463:
Until
September 2016 Arthanayake had his own discussion programme concerned with societal and political topics at BBC Radio A (Asian Network) Channel:
1156:
593:
With inside knowledge of the music industry he has contributed commentary on various music and culture-related topics on programmes ranging from the
914:
878:
733:
55:
35:
1526:
1481:
1491:
855:
805:
1506:
1303:
729:
In 2005, Nihal and former colleague Bobby
Friction represented London as members of a team of cultural ambassadors during the successful
1501:
670:, Belgian Ben, Skiddy McGee and Mentor Kolektiv, as well as giving a platform for unsigned artists such as Sunit, Raxtstar and Serese.
804:
in 2016 when he joined BBC Five Live. He lives there with his wife and two children, one son and one daughter. He has a BA (2:1) from
1345:
512:
238:
parents. Nihal began his involvement in the music industry as a promoter of rap shows in his native Essex, while he was studying at
128:
637:
1218:
900:
Question time - Radio 1 DJ Nihal
Arthanayake on why he's proud to be in Who's Who, and why he doesn't give a fig about Morrissey
109:
1496:
81:
835:
1450:
1006:
88:
400:
1531:
1206:
324:
and it was while working for the groundbreaking Asian Beats record label
Outcaste Records he promoted, amongst others
1389:
774:
1516:
1511:
394:
95:
59:
51:
988:
235:
622:
40:
1231:
77:
1363:
797:
590:, but did not get past the first round, after cooking a Thai chicken curry on rosti for the Invention Test.
44:
1466:
1439:
812:
767:
674:
457:(UK AMAs) for his show on Radio 1, and a Sony Award for Best Speech Programme for his Asian Network show.
886:
808:
in
History and English Literature and in 2023 was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Communications.
578:
454:
438:. The weekly show reviews the latest music. He also became the sole presenter of the specialist Radio 1
277:
1331:
1471:
1068:
730:
678:
642:
586:
836:"Arthanayake, Nihal, (born 1 June 1971), Presenter, Afternoon Edition, BBC Radio 5 Live, since 2016"
741:
574:
405:
352:
273:
974:
364:
269:
325:
289:
152:
102:
851:
645:, broadcasting short explainers from Tokyo about how some of the less well-known sports work.
507:
265:
239:
1285:
1093:
1053:
952:
899:
843:
755:
609:
599:
471:
460:
In June 2014, it was announced that in
September 2014, Arthanayake would leave BBC Radio 1.
420:
158:
1318:"Patrick Christys calls out BBC's Nihal Arthanayake's 'too many white colleagues' comments"
847:
1349:
1080:
921:
653:
Following the success of the Radio 1 show, Arthanayake launched his own club night called
628:
308:
In the late 1990s
Arthanayake turned to music promotion working for artists as diverse as
66:
1257:
714:
604:
570:
416:
673:
As well as DJ-ing at a variety of events up and down the country, Nihal has DJ-ed the
1460:
763:
750:
547:
309:
281:
1232:"All the Tokyo 2020 Olympics pundits on BBC – meet the presenters and commentators"
759:
659:
382:
1027:
Nihal Arthanayake: How the multi-talented DJ rising to the top of mainstream radio
423:
in 2003 - achieving Gold standard in the Specialist Music Category for their show
1444:
706:
594:
525:
475:
346:
313:
297:
641:
on the BBC. In July/August 2021 he was part of the BBC’s coverage team for the
1317:
970:
801:
686:
543:
539:
321:
285:
550:, Nerm, Outlandish and DJ Pathaan, as well as presenting special features on
1418:
1182:
702:
558:
464:
431:
229:
506:, and three hours of live TV every Saturday for digital television channel
1435:
1127:
411:
Arthanayake joined BBC Radio 1 in 2002, to become co-host of a night time
1271:
934:
710:
682:
667:
614:
551:
535:
530:
503:
232:
1430:
694:
317:
1114:
780:
November 2023, while speaking at a journalism diversity conference in
785:
718:
663:
491:
358:
293:
243:
187:
340:
Arthanayake has worked as a freelance music journalist, writing for
773:
Additionally, Nihal was responsible for the music accompanying the
977:
from the original on 14 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
698:
690:
393:
247:
191:
521:
268:
and the 7" flexi disc single 'I'm The M The B The S The T' for
65:
from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially
20:
1426:
1364:"BBC Radio Host Nihal Arthanayake Awarded Honorary Doctorate"
1157:"The week in radio: 5 Live review – like a whole new station"
620:, and has appeared as a guest panellist on music comedy quiz
766:. Here he showed his support for north London football club
1304:"BBC radio star struggles with 'too many white colleagues'"
781:
1258:"DJ Nihal to provide music for London new year fireworks"
1128:"Radio 1 and 1Xtra changes specialist, weekend schedules"
1286:"White newsroom gets me down, says BBC 5 Live presenter"
1081:
Rishi Rich and Bobby Friction nominated for radio Oscars
419:
coming under the specialist DJ category. The show won a
220:(born 1 June 1971) is a British radio and TV presenter.
490:
Arthanayake's TV appearances began in 1999 alongside
1007:"The Muddie Funksters - I'm The M The B The S The T"
207:
199:
166:
143:
1183:"BBC Radio 5 live - Nihal Arthanayake, 29/06/2020"
16:British radio and television presenter (born 1971)
748:Nihal also appeared on the BBC Radio 5 Live show
478:. After Sarah Brett left the show it was renamed
915:Nihal Arthanayake - Musician, Broadcaster and DJ
685:in the UK. Internationally, he has performed in
465:Nihal. Discussion and debate on the big issues.
228:Nihal Arthanayake was born on 1 June 1971, to
1272:"London 2012: How new year fireworks dazzled"
989:"The Muddie Funksters - Brown Like Muddie EP"
474:co-hosting the "Afternoon Edition" show with
8:
1332:"BREAKING NEWS: Shocking Racism at the BBC"
879:"audioBoom / Episode 11: Nihal Arthanayake"
1487:Alumni of St Mary's University, Twickenham
1209:Shelley Vision, Mirror.co.uk, 26 July 2010
1064:
1062:
1022:
1020:
272:Magazine. He was also briefly a member of
151:
140:
58:about living persons that is unsourced or
1477:2012 Summer Olympics cultural ambassadors
520:Arthanayake co-presented three series of
482:it is broadcast Monday-Thursday 1pm-4pm.
453:In 2010, he won "Best Radio Show" at the
129:Learn how and when to remove this message
1049:
1047:
1045:
1043:
1041:
1039:
1037:
1035:
824:
775:London New Year's Eve fireworks display
1451:Keeping the BBC Asian Network national
1207:Masterchef's celebs overcook the drama
1094:"BBC Asian Network AMA 2010 - Winners"
910:
908:
565:In August 2005, he appeared on BBC2's
1346:"Nihal Arthanayake | Metro News"
1219:Celebrity MasterChef, BBC One, review
1151:
1149:
7:
1522:English people of Sri Lankan descent
1334:. Konstantin Kisin. 1 December 2023.
848:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u245098
830:
828:
1537:Television personalities from Essex
1390:"Nihal sums up passion of the fans"
554:, Ms Scandalous and Freeform Five.
1348:. 26 November 2013. Archived from
1306:. The Telegraph. 30 November 2023.
584:In 2010, Nihal appeared on BBC2's
498:. He also hosted his own rap show
425:Bobby Friction & Nihal Present
203:DJ, radio and television presenter
14:
1420:Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake
635:In March 2021, Nihal appeared on
1368:St Mary’s University, Twickenham
1069:Why are you all so f*****g rude?
1029:The Independent, 14 January 2008
806:St Mary’s University, Twickenham
796:Arthanayake used to live in the
442:show after Bobby Friction left.
25:
557:In November 2004, he presented
470:In September 2016 Nihal joined
436:BBC Radio 1's Review With Nihal
1115:Sony Awards 2010: Winners list
1071:The Observer, 14 November 2004
971:"MC Krazee A - Into The Music"
638:Richard Osman's House of Games
542:since 2004 and he interviewed
445:In May 2007, Arthanayake left
1:
1527:English television presenters
1482:Alumni of the Open University
1260:. BBC News. 23 November 2010.
1083:Asians in Media, 6 April 2005
902:The Guardian, 6 December 2007
563:Where's Your F*****G Manners?
1492:BBC Asian Network presenters
1453:guardian.co.uk, 3 March 2010
1320:. GB news. 30 November 2023.
800:area of London. He moved to
739:He is the voiceover for the
581:and learn about modern art.
577:, spending two weeks at the
36:biography of a living person
1507:BBC Radio 5 Live presenters
1445:Nihal's Exclusive Interview
1274:. BBC News. 3 January 2012.
1221:The Telegraph, 22 July 2010
840:WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO
63:must be removed immediately
1553:
1502:BBC Radio 1Xtra presenters
401:Radio 1's Big Weekend 2007
713:and toured the U.S. with
150:
811:Arthanayake is a fan of
754:on 1 May 2010 alongside
643:Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
623:Never Mind the Buzzcocks
528:arts and culture show -
1134:. BBC News. 5 June 2014
953:"Various - Hard Core 1"
1497:BBC Radio 1 presenters
675:Isle of Wight Festival
408:
50:Please help by adding
1394:Tottenham Hotspur F.C
1117:BBC News, 11 May 2010
579:Chelsea School of Art
455:UK Asian Music Awards
397:
378:Cage And Aviary Birds
1352:on 26 November 2013.
920:18 June 2011 at the
731:2012 Summer Olympics
679:Glastonbury Festival
587:Celebrity Masterchef
56:Contentious material
1292:. 30 November 2023.
1163:. 26 September 2016
1096:. BBC Asian Network
777:for 2011 and 2012.
742:Slumdog Millionaire
326:Badmarsh & Shri
290:Badmarsh & Shri
274:alternative hip hop
78:"Nihal Arthanayake"
1532:People from Harlow
1423:(BBC Radio 5 Live)
1396:. 10 February 2016
626:and on BBC Four's
480:Nihal Arthanayake;
409:
365:Hip Hop Connection
270:Hip Hop Connection
218:Nihal Arthanayake
1517:English Buddhists
1512:British radio DJs
1436:Nihal Arthanayake
1427:Nihal Arthanayake
1054:Nihal's Biography
889:on 28 March 2017.
857:978-0-19-954088-4
813:Tottenham Hotspur
768:Tottenham Hotspur
513:The Saturday Show
266:Go! Discs Records
240:Burnt Mill School
215:
214:
171:Nihal Arthanayake
145:Nihal Arthanayake
139:
138:
131:
113:
39:needs additional
1544:
1406:
1405:
1403:
1401:
1386:
1380:
1379:
1377:
1375:
1360:
1354:
1353:
1342:
1336:
1335:
1328:
1322:
1321:
1314:
1308:
1307:
1300:
1294:
1293:
1282:
1276:
1275:
1268:
1262:
1261:
1254:
1248:
1247:
1245:
1243:
1228:
1222:
1216:
1210:
1204:
1198:
1197:
1195:
1193:
1179:
1173:
1172:
1170:
1168:
1153:
1144:
1143:
1141:
1139:
1124:
1118:
1112:
1106:
1105:
1103:
1101:
1090:
1084:
1078:
1072:
1066:
1057:
1051:
1030:
1024:
1015:
1014:
1003:
997:
996:
985:
979:
978:
967:
961:
960:
949:
943:
942:
931:
925:
912:
903:
897:
891:
890:
885:. Archived from
875:
869:
868:
866:
864:
832:
610:The Wright Stuff
600:The Culture Show
472:BBC Radio 5 Live
421:Sony Radio Award
280:and worked with
184:
180:
178:
159:The Asian Awards
155:
141:
134:
127:
123:
120:
114:
112:
71:
52:reliable sources
29:
28:
21:
1552:
1551:
1547:
1546:
1545:
1543:
1542:
1541:
1457:
1456:
1415:
1410:
1409:
1399:
1397:
1388:
1387:
1383:
1373:
1371:
1362:
1361:
1357:
1344:
1343:
1339:
1330:
1329:
1325:
1316:
1315:
1311:
1302:
1301:
1297:
1284:
1283:
1279:
1270:
1269:
1265:
1256:
1255:
1251:
1241:
1239:
1230:
1229:
1225:
1217:
1213:
1205:
1201:
1191:
1189:
1181:
1180:
1176:
1166:
1164:
1155:
1154:
1147:
1137:
1135:
1126:
1125:
1121:
1113:
1109:
1099:
1097:
1092:
1091:
1087:
1079:
1075:
1067:
1060:
1052:
1033:
1025:
1018:
1005:
1004:
1000:
987:
986:
982:
969:
968:
964:
951:
950:
946:
933:
932:
928:
924:British Council
922:Wayback Machine
913:
906:
898:
894:
877:
876:
872:
862:
860:
858:
834:
833:
826:
821:
798:Westbourne Park
794:
727:
651:
629:We Need Answers
488:
392:
338:
306:
261:
256:
226:
195:
185:
182:
176:
174:
173:
172:
162:
146:
135:
124:
118:
115:
72:
70:
49:
30:
26:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1550:
1548:
1540:
1539:
1534:
1529:
1524:
1519:
1514:
1509:
1504:
1499:
1494:
1489:
1484:
1479:
1474:
1469:
1459:
1458:
1455:
1454:
1448:
1442:
1433:
1424:
1414:
1413:External links
1411:
1408:
1407:
1381:
1370:. 19 July 2023
1355:
1337:
1323:
1309:
1295:
1277:
1263:
1249:
1238:. 19 July 2021
1223:
1211:
1199:
1174:
1145:
1119:
1107:
1085:
1073:
1058:
1031:
1016:
998:
980:
962:
944:
926:
904:
892:
870:
856:
823:
822:
820:
817:
793:
790:
726:
725:Other projects
723:
715:Bobby Friction
650:
649:Club promotion
647:
571:Ulrika Jonsson
487:
484:
447:Kicking Off...
417:Bobby Friction
391:
388:
337:
334:
305:
302:
278:Collapsed Lung
260:
257:
255:
252:
225:
222:
213:
212:
209:
205:
204:
201:
197:
196:
186:
170:
168:
164:
163:
156:
148:
147:
144:
137:
136:
60:poorly sourced
33:
31:
24:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1549:
1538:
1535:
1533:
1530:
1528:
1525:
1523:
1520:
1518:
1515:
1513:
1510:
1508:
1505:
1503:
1500:
1498:
1495:
1493:
1490:
1488:
1485:
1483:
1480:
1478:
1475:
1473:
1470:
1468:
1467:Living people
1465:
1464:
1462:
1452:
1449:
1446:
1443:
1441:
1437:
1434:
1432:
1428:
1425:
1422:
1421:
1417:
1416:
1412:
1395:
1391:
1385:
1382:
1369:
1365:
1359:
1356:
1351:
1347:
1341:
1338:
1333:
1327:
1324:
1319:
1313:
1310:
1305:
1299:
1296:
1291:
1287:
1281:
1278:
1273:
1267:
1264:
1259:
1253:
1250:
1237:
1233:
1227:
1224:
1220:
1215:
1212:
1208:
1203:
1200:
1188:
1184:
1178:
1175:
1162:
1158:
1152:
1150:
1146:
1133:
1129:
1123:
1120:
1116:
1111:
1108:
1095:
1089:
1086:
1082:
1077:
1074:
1070:
1065:
1063:
1059:
1056:BBC Radio One
1055:
1050:
1048:
1046:
1044:
1042:
1040:
1038:
1036:
1032:
1028:
1023:
1021:
1017:
1012:
1008:
1002:
999:
994:
990:
984:
981:
976:
972:
966:
963:
958:
954:
948:
945:
940:
936:
935:"MC Krazee A"
930:
927:
923:
919:
916:
911:
909:
905:
901:
896:
893:
888:
884:
883:audioboom.com
880:
874:
871:
859:
853:
849:
845:
841:
837:
831:
829:
825:
818:
816:
814:
809:
807:
803:
799:
792:Personal life
791:
789:
787:
783:
778:
776:
771:
769:
765:
764:Kevin Bridges
761:
757:
753:
752:
751:Fighting Talk
746:
744:
743:
737:
735:
732:
724:
722:
720:
716:
712:
708:
704:
700:
696:
692:
688:
684:
680:
676:
671:
669:
665:
661:
656:
648:
646:
644:
640:
639:
633:
631:
630:
625:
624:
619:
618:Hip Hop Candy
616:
612:
611:
606:
602:
601:
596:
591:
589:
588:
582:
580:
576:
572:
568:
564:
560:
555:
553:
549:
548:Padma Lakshmi
545:
541:
537:
533:
532:
527:
523:
518:
516:
514:
509:
505:
501:
497:
493:
485:
483:
481:
477:
473:
468:
466:
461:
458:
456:
451:
448:
443:
441:
437:
433:
428:
426:
422:
418:
415:show with DJ
414:
407:
403:
402:
396:
389:
387:
385:
384:
379:
375:
371:
367:
366:
361:
360:
355:
354:
349:
348:
343:
335:
333:
331:
327:
323:
319:
315:
311:
310:Nitin Sawhney
303:
301:
300:and DJ Sanj.
299:
295:
291:
287:
283:
282:Fun Da Mental
279:
275:
271:
267:
258:
253:
251:
249:
245:
241:
237:
234:
231:
223:
221:
219:
210:
206:
202:
200:Occupation(s)
198:
193:
189:
183:(age 53)
169:
165:
160:
154:
149:
142:
133:
130:
122:
119:February 2008
111:
108:
104:
101:
97:
94:
90:
87:
83:
80: –
79:
75:
74:Find sources:
68:
64:
61:
57:
53:
47:
46:
42:
37:
32:
23:
22:
19:
1447:Destitunes4U
1419:
1398:. Retrieved
1393:
1384:
1372:. Retrieved
1367:
1358:
1350:the original
1340:
1326:
1312:
1298:
1289:
1280:
1266:
1252:
1240:. Retrieved
1235:
1226:
1214:
1202:
1190:. Retrieved
1186:
1177:
1165:. Retrieved
1161:The Guardian
1160:
1136:. Retrieved
1132:BBC Newsbeat
1131:
1122:
1110:
1098:. Retrieved
1088:
1076:
1010:
1001:
992:
983:
965:
956:
947:
938:
929:
895:
887:the original
882:
873:
861:. Retrieved
839:
810:
795:
779:
772:
760:John Rawling
749:
747:
740:
738:
728:
672:
655:Bombay Bronx
654:
652:
636:
634:
627:
621:
617:
608:
598:
592:
585:
583:
569:, alongside
566:
562:
561:documentary
556:
529:
519:
511:
499:
495:
489:
479:
469:
462:
459:
452:
446:
444:
439:
435:
429:
424:
412:
410:
399:
390:Radio career
383:The Observer
381:
377:
373:
369:
363:
357:
351:
345:
341:
339:
329:
307:
262:
254:Music career
227:
217:
216:
157:DJ Nihal at
125:
116:
106:
99:
92:
85:
73:
62:
45:verification
38:
18:
1472:1971 births
1236:Radio Times
707:Switzerland
595:BRIT Awards
575:Keith Allen
526:Asian music
476:Sarah Brett
440:Asian Beats
413:Asian Beats
347:Eastern Eye
314:Judge Jules
298:Sona Family
264:Muddie' on
181:1 June 1971
1461:Categories
1400:15 October
819:References
802:Manchester
734:London bid
687:Bangladesh
615:MTV Base's
567:Art School
544:Karsh Kale
540:Anita Rani
534:alongside
494:on BBC2's
486:Television
376:magazine,
322:Elton John
286:Punjabi MC
259:Performing
236:Sri Lankan
224:Early life
177:1971-06-01
89:newspapers
1440:Instagram
1290:The Times
1100:24 August
703:Sri Lanka
605:Channel 5
559:Channel 4
510:entitled
432:Annie Mac
398:Nihal at
304:Promotion
230:Theravada
194:, England
41:citations
1242:7 August
975:Archived
918:Archived
756:Tom Watt
711:Thailand
683:Bestival
668:Jay Sean
552:Jay Sean
536:Adil Ray
531:Desi DNA
504:MTV Base
500:The Drop
370:Attitude
353:The Face
233:Buddhist
208:Children
67:libelous
1431:Twitter
1374:19 July
1192:27 June
1167:27 June
1011:Discogs
993:Discogs
957:Discogs
939:Discogs
863:27 June
745:album.
695:Germany
515:: Extra
496:Webwise
406:Preston
336:Writing
332:album.
318:Mos Def
276:outfit
161:in 2014
103:scholar
1138:5 June
854:
786:racist
719:Raghav
664:Raghav
492:Emma B
359:Mixmag
342:Asiana
294:Mentor
244:Harlow
188:Harlow
105:
98:
91:
84:
76:
699:India
691:Dubai
660:Swami
613:, to
330:Signs
248:Essex
242:, in
192:Essex
110:JSTOR
96:books
34:This
1402:2019
1376:2023
1244:2021
1194:2020
1169:2020
1140:2014
1102:2010
865:2020
852:ISBN
762:and
717:and
681:and
603:and
573:and
538:and
522:BBC2
508:CBBC
380:and
374:Bear
320:and
284:and
167:Born
82:news
43:for
1438:on
1429:on
1187:BBC
844:doi
788:".
607:'s
524:'s
502:on
404:in
328:'s
1463::
1392:.
1366:.
1288:.
1234:.
1185:.
1159:.
1148:^
1130:.
1061:^
1034:^
1019:^
1009:.
991:.
973:.
955:.
937:.
907:^
881:.
850:.
842:.
838:.
827:^
815:.
782:UK
770:.
758:,
736:.
721:.
709:,
705:,
701:,
697:,
693:,
689:,
677:,
666:,
662:,
632:.
597:,
546:,
517:.
467:.
386:.
372:,
368:,
362:,
356:,
350:,
344:,
316:,
312:,
296:,
292:,
288:,
250:.
246:,
190:,
179:)
54:.
1404:.
1378:.
1246:.
1196:.
1171:.
1142:.
1104:.
1013:.
995:.
959:.
941:.
867:.
846::
211:2
175:(
132:)
126:(
121:)
117:(
107:·
100:·
93:·
86:·
69:.
48:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
