406:
164:
38:
795:, 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 "
438:. 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".
274:
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
445:. 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
668:
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
460:
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.
441:
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
928:
1497:
1487:
1037:
1532:
1547:
474:
Until
September 2016 Arthanayake had his own discussion programme concerned with societal and political topics at BBC Radio A (Asian Network) Channel:
1167:
604:
With inside knowledge of the music industry he has contributed commentary on various music and culture-related topics on programmes ranging from the
925:
889:
744:
66:
46:
1537:
1492:
1502:
866:
816:
1517:
1314:
740:
In 2005, Nihal and former colleague Bobby
Friction represented London as members of a team of cultural ambassadors during the successful
1512:
681:, Belgian Ben, Skiddy McGee and Mentor Kolektiv, as well as giving a platform for unsigned artists such as Sunit, Raxtstar and Serese.
815:
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
1356:
523:
249:
parents. Nihal began his involvement in the music industry as a promoter of rap shows in his native Essex, while he was studying at
139:
648:
1229:
911:
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
120:
1507:
92:
846:
1461:
1017:
99:
411:
1542:
1217:
335:
and it was while working for the groundbreaking Asian Beats record label
Outcaste Records he promoted, amongst others
1400:
785:
1527:
1522:
405:
106:
70:
62:
999:
246:
633:
51:
1242:
88:
1374:
808:
601:, but did not get past the first round, after cooking a Thai chicken curry on rosti for the Invention Test.
55:
1477:
1450:
823:
778:
685:
468:(UK AMAs) for his show on Radio 1, and a Sony Award for Best Speech Programme for his Asian Network show.
897:
819:
in
History and English Literature and in 2023 was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Communications.
589:
465:
449:. The weekly show reviews the latest music. He also became the sole presenter of the specialist Radio 1
288:
1342:
1482:
1079:
741:
689:
653:
597:
847:"Arthanayake, Nihal, (born 1 June 1971), Presenter, Afternoon Edition, BBC Radio 5 Live, since 2016"
752:
585:
416:
363:
284:
985:
375:
280:
336:
300:
163:
113:
862:
656:, broadcasting short explainers from Tokyo about how some of the less well-known sports work.
518:
276:
250:
1296:
1104:
1064:
963:
910:
854:
766:
620:
610:
482:
471:
In June 2014, it was announced that in
September 2014, Arthanayake would leave BBC Radio 1.
431:
169:
1329:"Patrick Christys calls out BBC's Nihal Arthanayake's 'too many white colleagues' comments"
858:
1360:
1091:
932:
664:
Following the success of the Radio 1 show, Arthanayake launched his own club night called
639:
319:
In the late 1990s
Arthanayake turned to music promotion working for artists as diverse as
77:
1268:
725:
615:
581:
427:
684:
As well as DJ-ing at a variety of events up and down the country, Nihal has DJ-ed the
1471:
774:
761:
558:
320:
292:
1243:"All the Tokyo 2020 Olympics pundits on BBC – meet the presenters and commentators"
770:
670:
393:
1038:
Nihal Arthanayake: How the multi-talented DJ rising to the top of mainstream radio
434:
in 2003 - achieving Gold standard in the Specialist Music Category for their show
1455:
717:
605:
536:
486:
357:
324:
308:
652:
on the BBC. In July/August 2021 he was part of the BBC’s coverage team for the
1328:
981:
812:
697:
554:
550:
332:
296:
561:, Nerm, Outlandish and DJ Pathaan, as well as presenting special features on
1429:
1193:
713:
569:
475:
442:
240:
517:, and three hours of live TV every Saturday for digital television channel
1446:
1138:
422:
Arthanayake joined BBC Radio 1 in 2002, to become co-host of a night time
1282:
945:
721:
693:
678:
625:
562:
546:
541:
514:
243:
17:
1441:
705:
328:
1125:
791:
November 2023, while speaking at a journalism diversity conference in
796:
729:
674:
502:
369:
304:
254:
198:
351:
Arthanayake has worked as a freelance music journalist, writing for
784:
Additionally, Nihal was responsible for the music accompanying the
988:
from the original on 14 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
709:
701:
404:
258:
202:
532:
279:
and the 7" flexi disc single 'I'm The M The B The S The T' for
76:
from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially
31:
1437:
1375:"BBC Radio Host Nihal Arthanayake Awarded Honorary Doctorate"
1168:"The week in radio: 5 Live review – like a whole new station"
631:, and has appeared as a guest panellist on music comedy quiz
777:. Here he showed his support for north London football club
1315:"BBC radio star struggles with 'too many white colleagues'"
792:
1269:"DJ Nihal to provide music for London new year fireworks"
1139:"Radio 1 and 1Xtra changes specialist, weekend schedules"
1297:"White newsroom gets me down, says BBC 5 Live presenter"
1092:
Rishi Rich and Bobby Friction nominated for radio Oscars
430:
coming under the specialist DJ category. The show won a
231:(born 1 June 1971) is a British radio and TV presenter.
501:
Arthanayake's TV appearances began in 1999 alongside
1018:"The Muddie Funksters - I'm The M The B The S The T"
218:
210:
177:
154:
1194:"BBC Radio 5 live - Nihal Arthanayake, 29/06/2020"
27:British radio and television presenter (born 1971)
759:Nihal also appeared on the BBC Radio 5 Live show
489:. After Sarah Brett left the show it was renamed
926:Nihal Arthanayake - Musician, Broadcaster and DJ
696:in the UK. Internationally, he has performed in
476:Nihal. Discussion and debate on the big issues.
239:Nihal Arthanayake was born on 1 June 1971, to
1283:"London 2012: How new year fireworks dazzled"
1000:"The Muddie Funksters - Brown Like Muddie EP"
485:co-hosting the "Afternoon Edition" show with
8:
1343:"BREAKING NEWS: Shocking Racism at the BBC"
890:"audioBoom / Episode 11: Nihal Arthanayake"
1498:Alumni of St Mary's University, Twickenham
1220:Shelley Vision, Mirror.co.uk, 26 July 2010
1075:
1073:
1033:
1031:
283:Magazine. He was also briefly a member of
162:
151:
69:about living persons that is unsourced or
1488:2012 Summer Olympics cultural ambassadors
531:Arthanayake co-presented three series of
493:it is broadcast Monday-Thursday 1pm-4pm.
464:In 2010, he won "Best Radio Show" at the
140:Learn how and when to remove this message
1060:
1058:
1056:
1054:
1052:
1050:
1048:
1046:
835:
786:London New Year's Eve fireworks display
1462:Keeping the BBC Asian Network national
1218:Masterchef's celebs overcook the drama
1105:"BBC Asian Network AMA 2010 - Winners"
921:
919:
576:In August 2005, he appeared on BBC2's
1357:"Nihal Arthanayake | Metro News"
1230:Celebrity MasterChef, BBC One, review
1162:
1160:
7:
1533:English people of Sri Lankan descent
1345:. Konstantin Kisin. 1 December 2023.
859:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u245098
841:
839:
1548:Television personalities from Essex
1401:"Nihal sums up passion of the fans"
565:, Ms Scandalous and Freeform Five.
1359:. 26 November 2013. Archived from
1317:. The Telegraph. 30 November 2023.
595:In 2010, Nihal appeared on BBC2's
509:. He also hosted his own rap show
436:Bobby Friction & Nihal Present
214:DJ, radio and television presenter
25:
1431:Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake
646:In March 2021, Nihal appeared on
1379:St Mary’s University, Twickenham
1080:Why are you all so f*****g rude?
1040:The Independent, 14 January 2008
817:St Mary’s University, Twickenham
807:Arthanayake used to live in the
453:show after Bobby Friction left.
36:
568:In November 2004, he presented
481:In September 2016 Nihal joined
447:BBC Radio 1's Review With Nihal
1126:Sony Awards 2010: Winners list
1082:The Observer, 14 November 2004
982:"MC Krazee A - Into The Music"
649:Richard Osman's House of Games
553:since 2004 and he interviewed
456:In May 2007, Arthanayake left
1:
1538:English television presenters
1493:Alumni of the Open University
1271:. BBC News. 23 November 2010.
1094:Asians in Media, 6 April 2005
913:The Guardian, 6 December 2007
574:Where's Your F*****G Manners?
1503:BBC Asian Network presenters
1464:guardian.co.uk, 3 March 2010
1331:. GB news. 30 November 2023.
811:area of London. He moved to
750:He is the voiceover for the
592:and learn about modern art.
588:, spending two weeks at the
47:biography of a living person
1518:BBC Radio 5 Live presenters
1456:Nihal's Exclusive Interview
1285:. BBC News. 3 January 2012.
1232:The Telegraph, 22 July 2010
851:WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO
74:must be removed immediately
1564:
1513:BBC Radio 1Xtra presenters
412:Radio 1's Big Weekend 2007
724:and toured the U.S. with
161:
822:Arthanayake is a fan of
765:on 1 May 2010 alongside
654:Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
634:Never Mind the Buzzcocks
539:arts and culture show -
1145:. BBC News. 5 June 2014
964:"Various - Hard Core 1"
1508:BBC Radio 1 presenters
686:Isle of Wight Festival
419:
61:Please help by adding
1405:Tottenham Hotspur F.C
1128:BBC News, 11 May 2010
590:Chelsea School of Art
466:UK Asian Music Awards
408:
389:Cage And Aviary Birds
1363:on 26 November 2013.
931:18 June 2011 at the
742:2012 Summer Olympics
690:Glastonbury Festival
598:Celebrity Masterchef
67:Contentious material
1303:. 30 November 2023.
1174:. 26 September 2016
1107:. BBC Asian Network
788:for 2011 and 2012.
753:Slumdog Millionaire
337:Badmarsh & Shri
301:Badmarsh & Shri
285:alternative hip hop
89:"Nihal Arthanayake"
1543:People from Harlow
1434:(BBC Radio 5 Live)
1407:. 10 February 2016
637:and on BBC Four's
491:Nihal Arthanayake;
420:
376:Hip Hop Connection
281:Hip Hop Connection
229:Nihal Arthanayake
1528:English Buddhists
1523:British radio DJs
1447:Nihal Arthanayake
1438:Nihal Arthanayake
1065:Nihal's Biography
900:on 28 March 2017.
868:978-0-19-954088-4
824:Tottenham Hotspur
779:Tottenham Hotspur
524:The Saturday Show
277:Go! Discs Records
251:Burnt Mill School
226:
225:
182:Nihal Arthanayake
156:Nihal Arthanayake
150:
149:
142:
124:
50:needs additional
16:(Redirected from
1555:
1417:
1416:
1414:
1412:
1397:
1391:
1390:
1388:
1386:
1371:
1365:
1364:
1353:
1347:
1346:
1339:
1333:
1332:
1325:
1319:
1318:
1311:
1305:
1304:
1293:
1287:
1286:
1279:
1273:
1272:
1265:
1259:
1258:
1256:
1254:
1239:
1233:
1227:
1221:
1215:
1209:
1208:
1206:
1204:
1190:
1184:
1183:
1181:
1179:
1164:
1155:
1154:
1152:
1150:
1135:
1129:
1123:
1117:
1116:
1114:
1112:
1101:
1095:
1089:
1083:
1077:
1068:
1062:
1041:
1035:
1026:
1025:
1014:
1008:
1007:
996:
990:
989:
978:
972:
971:
960:
954:
953:
942:
936:
923:
914:
908:
902:
901:
896:. Archived from
886:
880:
879:
877:
875:
843:
621:The Wright Stuff
611:The Culture Show
483:BBC Radio 5 Live
432:Sony Radio Award
291:and worked with
195:
191:
189:
170:The Asian Awards
166:
152:
145:
138:
134:
131:
125:
123:
82:
63:reliable sources
40:
39:
32:
21:
1563:
1562:
1558:
1557:
1556:
1554:
1553:
1552:
1468:
1467:
1426:
1421:
1420:
1410:
1408:
1399:
1398:
1394:
1384:
1382:
1373:
1372:
1368:
1355:
1354:
1350:
1341:
1340:
1336:
1327:
1326:
1322:
1313:
1312:
1308:
1295:
1294:
1290:
1281:
1280:
1276:
1267:
1266:
1262:
1252:
1250:
1241:
1240:
1236:
1228:
1224:
1216:
1212:
1202:
1200:
1192:
1191:
1187:
1177:
1175:
1166:
1165:
1158:
1148:
1146:
1137:
1136:
1132:
1124:
1120:
1110:
1108:
1103:
1102:
1098:
1090:
1086:
1078:
1071:
1063:
1044:
1036:
1029:
1016:
1015:
1011:
998:
997:
993:
980:
979:
975:
962:
961:
957:
944:
943:
939:
935:British Council
933:Wayback Machine
924:
917:
909:
905:
888:
887:
883:
873:
871:
869:
845:
844:
837:
832:
809:Westbourne Park
805:
738:
662:
640:We Need Answers
499:
403:
349:
317:
272:
267:
237:
206:
196:
193:
187:
185:
184:
183:
173:
157:
146:
135:
129:
126:
83:
81:
60:
41:
37:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1561:
1559:
1551:
1550:
1545:
1540:
1535:
1530:
1525:
1520:
1515:
1510:
1505:
1500:
1495:
1490:
1485:
1480:
1470:
1469:
1466:
1465:
1459:
1453:
1444:
1435:
1425:
1424:External links
1422:
1419:
1418:
1392:
1381:. 19 July 2023
1366:
1348:
1334:
1320:
1306:
1288:
1274:
1260:
1249:. 19 July 2021
1234:
1222:
1210:
1185:
1156:
1130:
1118:
1096:
1084:
1069:
1042:
1027:
1009:
991:
973:
955:
937:
915:
903:
881:
867:
834:
833:
831:
828:
804:
801:
737:
736:Other projects
734:
726:Bobby Friction
661:
660:Club promotion
658:
582:Ulrika Jonsson
498:
495:
458:Kicking Off...
428:Bobby Friction
402:
399:
348:
345:
316:
313:
289:Collapsed Lung
271:
268:
266:
263:
236:
233:
224:
223:
220:
216:
215:
212:
208:
207:
197:
181:
179:
175:
174:
167:
159:
158:
155:
148:
147:
71:poorly sourced
44:
42:
35:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1560:
1549:
1546:
1544:
1541:
1539:
1536:
1534:
1531:
1529:
1526:
1524:
1521:
1519:
1516:
1514:
1511:
1509:
1506:
1504:
1501:
1499:
1496:
1494:
1491:
1489:
1486:
1484:
1481:
1479:
1478:Living people
1476:
1475:
1473:
1463:
1460:
1457:
1454:
1452:
1448:
1445:
1443:
1439:
1436:
1433:
1432:
1428:
1427:
1423:
1406:
1402:
1396:
1393:
1380:
1376:
1370:
1367:
1362:
1358:
1352:
1349:
1344:
1338:
1335:
1330:
1324:
1321:
1316:
1310:
1307:
1302:
1298:
1292:
1289:
1284:
1278:
1275:
1270:
1264:
1261:
1248:
1244:
1238:
1235:
1231:
1226:
1223:
1219:
1214:
1211:
1199:
1195:
1189:
1186:
1173:
1169:
1163:
1161:
1157:
1144:
1140:
1134:
1131:
1127:
1122:
1119:
1106:
1100:
1097:
1093:
1088:
1085:
1081:
1076:
1074:
1070:
1067:BBC Radio One
1066:
1061:
1059:
1057:
1055:
1053:
1051:
1049:
1047:
1043:
1039:
1034:
1032:
1028:
1023:
1019:
1013:
1010:
1005:
1001:
995:
992:
987:
983:
977:
974:
969:
965:
959:
956:
951:
947:
946:"MC Krazee A"
941:
938:
934:
930:
927:
922:
920:
916:
912:
907:
904:
899:
895:
894:audioboom.com
891:
885:
882:
870:
864:
860:
856:
852:
848:
842:
840:
836:
829:
827:
825:
820:
818:
814:
810:
803:Personal life
802:
800:
798:
794:
789:
787:
782:
780:
776:
775:Kevin Bridges
772:
768:
764:
763:
762:Fighting Talk
757:
755:
754:
748:
746:
743:
735:
733:
731:
727:
723:
719:
715:
711:
707:
703:
699:
695:
691:
687:
682:
680:
676:
672:
667:
659:
657:
655:
651:
650:
644:
642:
641:
636:
635:
630:
629:Hip Hop Candy
627:
623:
622:
617:
613:
612:
607:
602:
600:
599:
593:
591:
587:
583:
579:
575:
571:
566:
564:
560:
559:Padma Lakshmi
556:
552:
548:
544:
543:
538:
534:
529:
527:
525:
520:
516:
512:
508:
504:
496:
494:
492:
488:
484:
479:
477:
472:
469:
467:
462:
459:
454:
452:
448:
444:
439:
437:
433:
429:
426:show with DJ
425:
418:
414:
413:
407:
400:
398:
396:
395:
390:
386:
382:
378:
377:
372:
371:
366:
365:
360:
359:
354:
346:
344:
342:
338:
334:
330:
326:
322:
321:Nitin Sawhney
314:
312:
311:and DJ Sanj.
310:
306:
302:
298:
294:
293:Fun Da Mental
290:
286:
282:
278:
269:
264:
262:
260:
256:
252:
248:
245:
242:
234:
232:
230:
221:
217:
213:
211:Occupation(s)
209:
204:
200:
194:(age 53)
180:
176:
171:
165:
160:
153:
144:
141:
133:
130:February 2008
122:
119:
115:
112:
108:
105:
101:
98:
94:
91: –
90:
86:
85:Find sources:
79:
75:
72:
68:
64:
58:
57:
53:
48:
43:
34:
33:
30:
19:
1458:Destitunes4U
1430:
1409:. Retrieved
1404:
1395:
1383:. Retrieved
1378:
1369:
1361:the original
1351:
1337:
1323:
1309:
1300:
1291:
1277:
1263:
1251:. Retrieved
1246:
1237:
1225:
1213:
1201:. Retrieved
1197:
1188:
1176:. Retrieved
1172:The Guardian
1171:
1147:. Retrieved
1143:BBC Newsbeat
1142:
1133:
1121:
1109:. Retrieved
1099:
1087:
1021:
1012:
1003:
994:
976:
967:
958:
949:
940:
906:
898:the original
893:
884:
872:. Retrieved
850:
821:
806:
790:
783:
771:John Rawling
760:
758:
751:
749:
739:
683:
666:Bombay Bronx
665:
663:
647:
645:
638:
632:
628:
619:
609:
603:
596:
594:
580:, alongside
577:
573:
572:documentary
567:
540:
530:
522:
510:
506:
500:
490:
480:
473:
470:
463:
457:
455:
450:
446:
440:
435:
423:
421:
410:
401:Radio career
394:The Observer
392:
388:
384:
380:
374:
368:
362:
356:
352:
350:
340:
318:
273:
265:Music career
238:
228:
227:
168:DJ Nihal at
136:
127:
117:
110:
103:
96:
84:
73:
56:verification
49:
29:
1483:1971 births
1247:Radio Times
718:Switzerland
606:BRIT Awards
586:Keith Allen
537:Asian music
487:Sarah Brett
451:Asian Beats
424:Asian Beats
358:Eastern Eye
325:Judge Jules
309:Sona Family
275:Muddie' on
192:1 June 1971
1472:Categories
1411:15 October
830:References
813:Manchester
745:London bid
698:Bangladesh
626:MTV Base's
578:Art School
555:Karsh Kale
551:Anita Rani
545:alongside
505:on BBC2's
497:Television
387:magazine,
333:Elton John
297:Punjabi MC
270:Performing
247:Sri Lankan
235:Early life
188:1971-06-01
100:newspapers
1451:Instagram
1301:The Times
1111:24 August
714:Sri Lanka
616:Channel 5
570:Channel 4
521:entitled
443:Annie Mac
409:Nihal at
315:Promotion
241:Theravada
205:, England
52:citations
1253:7 August
986:Archived
929:Archived
767:Tom Watt
722:Thailand
694:Bestival
679:Jay Sean
563:Jay Sean
547:Adil Ray
542:Desi DNA
515:MTV Base
511:The Drop
381:Attitude
364:The Face
244:Buddhist
219:Children
78:libelous
18:DJ Nihal
1442:Twitter
1385:19 July
1203:27 June
1178:27 June
1022:Discogs
1004:Discogs
968:Discogs
950:Discogs
874:27 June
756:album.
706:Germany
526:: Extra
507:Webwise
417:Preston
347:Writing
343:album.
329:Mos Def
287:outfit
172:in 2014
114:scholar
1149:5 June
865:
797:racist
730:Raghav
675:Raghav
503:Emma B
370:Mixmag
353:Asiana
305:Mentor
255:Harlow
199:Harlow
116:
109:
102:
95:
87:
710:India
702:Dubai
671:Swami
624:, to
341:Signs
259:Essex
253:, in
203:Essex
121:JSTOR
107:books
45:This
1413:2019
1387:2023
1255:2021
1205:2020
1180:2020
1151:2014
1113:2010
876:2020
863:ISBN
773:and
728:and
692:and
614:and
584:and
549:and
533:BBC2
519:CBBC
391:and
385:Bear
331:and
295:and
178:Born
93:news
54:for
1449:on
1440:on
1198:BBC
855:doi
799:".
618:'s
535:'s
513:on
415:in
339:'s
1474::
1403:.
1377:.
1299:.
1245:.
1196:.
1170:.
1159:^
1141:.
1072:^
1045:^
1030:^
1020:.
1002:.
984:.
966:.
948:.
918:^
892:.
861:.
853:.
849:.
838:^
826:.
793:UK
781:.
769:,
747:.
732:.
720:,
716:,
712:,
708:,
704:,
700:,
688:,
677:,
673:,
643:.
608:,
557:,
528:.
478:.
397:.
383:,
379:,
373:,
367:,
361:,
355:,
327:,
323:,
307:,
303:,
299:,
261:.
257:,
201:,
190:)
65:.
1415:.
1389:.
1257:.
1207:.
1182:.
1153:.
1115:.
1024:.
1006:.
970:.
952:.
878:.
857::
222:2
186:(
143:)
137:(
132:)
128:(
118:·
111:·
104:·
97:·
80:.
59:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.