Toddla T | |
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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) | DJ, record producer, remixer, composer |
Instruments | Keyboard, turntables, programming |
Years active | 2003–present |
Labels |
Ninja Tune 1965 Records |
Associated acts | Shola Ama |
Website | toddlat |
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.
Toddla T was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School. 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. He has a son (born May 2013) with his partner, fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac.
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. He has created a mix album for the London nightclub Fabric. Toddla T is currently DJing in clubs and festivals throughout the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, he has a successful quarterly residency at XOYO and a soundsystem at Notting Hill Carnival. He has a weekly show on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra which has featured guests such as Skepta, JME, Novelist & Wiley. He is involved in recording and producing various artists such as Roots Manuva, Skepta, Wiley, Ms. Dynamite & Róisín Murphy. He has also remixed the likes of Little Dragon, Major Lazer & Hot Chip. In 2010 he signed to the record label Ninja Tune and released Watch Me Dance in 2011 he is currently working on a new album. In 2012, Toddla T started his record label Girls Music with Raf Rundell from The 2 Bears.