Mary Anne Hobbs calls it quits
by Juno Plus on 23.07.2010 at 14:44pm
Revered radio host Mary Anne Hobbs has announced her resignation from the BBC after a stellar 14 year career.
Hobbs championed the sound of dubstep and provided a vital platform for artists in that genre (and many others) – to reach a wider audience. Her influence on young talent cannot be underestimated – many past guests (which include everyone from Flying Lotus to Jeff Mills) – speak of her in hushed tones. Having Hobbs play your song on the radio became the first step for many young producers towards wider recognition, record deals and festival appearances.
Her career of late has been littered with awards and praise from all angles, including a gong at the 2009 DJ Mag Best of British ceremony as well as this year’s Dubstep Forum awards.
Via a statement on her MySpace page, Hobbs announced that her last ever show will be broadcast on the morning of September 9, from 2-4am. She has accepted a new job mentoring and teaching students at the University of Sheffield’s media hub.
Here’s that statement in full:
“LEAVING THE BBC…
Yesterday I resigned from BBC Radio1, after an amazing multi-dimensional 14 year career.
The great freedoms the BBC have given in me as a broadcaster, have allowed me to help break so many confrontational artists as diverse as Slipknot and Skream, and of course, the whole genre of dubstep in recent times.
My current experimental show is in peak condition, it’s never been stronger. And although it’s a very emotional decision to leave the show that I love so much, it’s also an optimum moment to bow out, at the very top of my game.
My work for Radio1 on the Breezeblock, Rock Show, many fascinating documentaries about everything from David Bowie to dubstep, on daytime, at festivals and award ceremonies, has been exceptionally rewarding. These have been glory days not just for me, but for all the artists who have shared my BBC platform, and of course, the listeners everywhere from Beijing to Berlin, Baltimore to Blackpool, who shared a great passion for future sound.
I will continue to DJ live, work in film, and curate at Sonar festival in Barcelona.
I have also accepted a new job mentoring and teaching students at the University of Sheffield’s Union Of Students radio station, TV station and the newspaper that operate out of their superb Forge Media Hub, which presents me with a really exciting new challenge.
My last show on BBC Radio1 will be broadcast on September 9, Thursday morning… 2-4am
Thank you so much for listening.”
Pic: Shaun Bloodworth
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Tags: BBC, Dubstep/Grime, Mary Anne Hobbs
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