Toddla T

Toddla T
Background information
Birth name Thomas Mackenzie Bell
Born 22 February 1985
Origin Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Genres Electronica, hip hop, UK garage, dancehall, breakbeat, house, grime
Occupation(s) Producer, DJ
Instruments Vocals, keyboard
Years active 2003–present
Labels Ninja Tune
1965 Records
Associated acts Shola Ama
Website toddlat.com

Thomas Mackenzie Bell (born 22 February 1985), better known by the stage name of Toddla T, is an English DJ, record producer, remixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.[1]

Biography

Toddla T was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School.[2] Toddla T started DJing at the age of 14 in the clubs and bars of Sheffield and by the age of 16 had left school to pursue a full-time career in the music industry. His stage name was given to him by the older Sheffield DJs who influenced him and was used to indicate his relative youth. Bell regularly DJs all over the world and lives in Queen's Park, London with long-term girlfriend and fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac. On 20 November 2012, Mac announced via Twitter that she was expecting their first child in May 2013.[3] She gave birth to a baby boy on 20 May 2013.

Career

Toddla T's first album, for 1965 Records, encompasses hip-hop, electro, garage, dancehall and house and was released in May 2009. The major collaborators were Serocee and Mr Versatile. The album also features further collaborations with Matt Helders from the Arctic Monkeys, Benjamin Zephaniah, Roots Manuva, Tinchy Stryder, Joe Goddard and Hervé.[1] He has created a mix album for the London nightclub Fabric.[4] Toddla T is currently DJing throughout the UK, Europe and North America and he is a resident DJ at Fabric. He has had a regular slot on BBC Radio 1 in the "In New DJs We Trust" slot.[4] He is involved in recording and producing various artists such as Jammer, Trojan Sound System, Lady Chann and Tinchy Stryder. In 2010 he signed to the record label Ninja Tune and is currently working on his next album. In December 2011, the BBC announced[5] that he will have a permanent weekly slot on Radio 1.

Discography

Studio albums

Album Title Album details
Skanky Skanky
  • Released: 22 May 2009
  • Label: 1965 Records
Watch Me Dance
  • Released: 22 August 2011
  • Label: Ninja Tune

Compilation albums

EPs

Singles

Year Single Peak chart position Album
UK
2007 "Fill Up Mi Portion" — Non-Album single
2008 "Manabadman" (feat. Serocee) — Skanky Skanky
"Sound Tape Killin" —
2009 "Shake It" —
2010 "Sky Surfing" (feat. Wayne Marshall) — Non-Album single
2011 "Take It Back" (feat. Shola Ama & J2K, Ninja Tune) 59 Watch Me Dance
"Watch Me Dance" (feat. Roots Manuva) —
"Streets So Warm" (feat. Wayne Marshall & Skream) —

As producer

Remixes

Music videos

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Independent on Sunday, 22 May 2009
  2. ↑ Toddla T still enjoying the rocket ride to stardom - Local Business - Sheffield Telegraph
  3. ↑ "BBC - Newsbeat - Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac is expecting baby with Toddla T". BBC Newsbeat. 20 November 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Daily Telegraph, 27 May 2009
  5. ↑ Ben Cooper, Controller of Radio 1. "Media Centre - Radio 1 announces changes to dance music line-up". BBC. Retrieved 2012-06-04.

External links