Tim Westwood
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Tim Westwood (born 1958) is a British rap DJ and presenter of the Radio 1 Rap Show. Fictional character Ali G is partly based on him.
During his career, Westwood has DJed for many radio stations, including the newly formed pirate radio stations Kiss FM (which he co-owned) and LWR, followed by mainstream stations Capital FM, before joining BBC Radio 1. He was the Radio 1 Rap Show's first presenter and has been its only permanent presenter. He also organises live performances for Radio 1.
Westwood is heavily involved in the rap scene and is noted to be one of the early broadcasters and promoters of rap music. He has strong moral convictions, does not drink or do drugs, and does not play gigs during exam times.
While Westwood plays mainly songs that achieve mainstream success, he has produced or mixed several tracks for more obscure recording artists.
Westwood also presented a series of his own television programme on UKTV channel UK Play, which has since ceased broadcasting.
Westwood was the victim of a drive-by shooting in 1999.
Westwood has also released numerous rap compilation albums.
Catchphrases include "Big Things", "I'm the big dog", "Drop a bomb on it", "Fall Back", "UNDERSTAND THAT!" and "Bow down and kiss the ring... and I ain't wearing any jewellery".
Criticisms
Westwood is viewed by some as a narcissist and misogynist who would prefer to be black. Some people who dislike hip hop music point to Tim Westwood as a reason to do so. Some hip hop music fans (especially alternative hip hop fans) argue that he has been an unsuccessful proponent of hip hop and that he has allowed it to be seen as violent, sexist, wealth obsessed, lowest common denominator entertainment with no redeeming social value. Westwood has been accused of neglecting alternative hip hop in favour of popular, commercially successful recordings which can be heard on non-rap radio. Specifically, he has been criticised for playing many Def Jam tracks, even non-rap recordings, when he was signed to a sister record label. Opponents claim that he plays recordings that are of little interest to his target audience for personal financial gain.
Westwood's background is also the object of frequent derision. He speaks with a somewhat America-accented English, which belies his upper middle class Anglo-Saxon origins - his father, William John Westwood was the Anglican Bishop of Peterborough until 1996. Westwood and his ilk are often cited as the basis of the Ali G persona. It has been claimed that he orchestrated the incident in which he was shot in order to increase his street credibility.
Discography
- Westwood Volume 1
- Westwood Presents UK Hip-Hop 2002 Vol. 1
External links
- Tim Westwood (http://timwestwood.com/) Official site (requires flash)
- Westwood's BBC Radio 1 page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/urban/westwood/)
- Tim Westwood (http://radiorewind.co.uk/Tim_Westwood_page.htm) Radio Rewind biography