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Tim Westwood (born 1958 as son of a Christian Bishop) is a British rap DJ and presenter of the Radio 1 Rap Show.

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 was named "Best UK Radio DJ" in the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards in 2000 and 2003.

In interviews, Westwood has said he has strong moral convictions, does not drink or take 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. He presented a series of his own television programme on UKTV channel UK Play, which has since ceased broadcasting, and has also fronted a slot on Channel 4's Night Network. He currently presents the UK version of the MTV show Pimp My Ride.

Westwood was treated in hospital for bullet wounds after a drive-by shooting in Kennington, South London, on July 18, 1999. [1]

Catchphrases include "Big Things", "I'm the big dog", "Drop a bomb on it", "Fall Back", "UNDERSTAND THAT!", "It's gonna go bang in your face", "go hard or go home" and "Bow down and kiss the ring... and I ain't wearing any jewellery". He has also released numerous rap compilation albums.

His shows are known to include hot hip-hop artists, with live mixing and exclusive tracks. He uses numerous sound effects in his show, including the bomb drop, air horn, and gun shots.

Criticisms

A columnist in The Guardian newspaper has claimed that Westwood was the inspiration for Ali G, the caricature wigger portrayed by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. [2]

Critics such as Toby Young have also derided Westwood's apparent emulation of African-American pronunciation and dialect, which appears to be at odds with his upper middle class Anglo-Saxon origins [3]. His father, William John Westwood was the Anglican Bishop of Peterborough until 1996. He also (briefly) attended Norwich School, Norwich, a private cathedral grammar school.

Discography

• Westwood Volumes 1-3
• Westwood Presents UK Hip-Hop 2002 Vol. 1
• Westwood Platinum Edition 2003
• Westwood: The Jump Off
• Westwood 6: The Takeover
• Westwood 7: The Big Dog
• Westwood 8: The Invasion
• Westwood 9: Heat
• Westwood X

External links

• Tim Westwood Official site (requires flash)
• Westwood's BBC Radio 1 page
• Tim Westwood Radio Rewind biography
• The original UK Hip Hop History
• Gangster probe after DJ shooting (BBC)
• Taken for a ride (The Guardian)
• The word on the street is people prefer posh (Toby Young)

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