[DATE STAMP: Written 08/02/2013]
University Of Sheffield’s student-union night ‘The Tuesday Club’, plays host to the return of Toddla T to his home city on Tuesday 19th February this month. On tour with ‘The Toddla T Sound’, he joins forces with DRS, Serocee, and vocalist Shola Ama.
Now with a weekly BBC Radio 1 slot, and a monthly residency at Fabric, London, Toddla, real name Tom Bell has come a long way since playing his decks in his bedroom; “I’m the S2 crew” he says in a video from ‘The Guardian’.
Focusing on ‘The Toddla T Sound’ project, a brand is now formed with the other artists and visuals on stage helping to create a party vibe, playing everything between dancehall, raga and garage. Bell has a lot of charisma whilst DJ-ing; with an endless amount of enthusiasm that helps his sets. The sound that he creates has turned Bell into a global sensation; said to be playing music before his time.
Signed in 2010 to Ninja Tune, Bell has released an imprint label called ‘Girls Music’; another project Bell is now working on in 2013. Although running through the label, it’s Bell who picks the tracks. Alongside this, Bell is in the process of setting up a side label called ‘Crooked House’, creating house music soon to be released.
Bell was recently asked by DJ and producer Major Lazer to go to Jamaica to work alongside after touring with them last year. He has emerged as one of dance music’s hottest new talents in Britain with 4 years under his belt at BBC Radio 1. His credibility is no longer only known just around Sheffield nowadays.
Known to Fabric as “Sheffield’s wonder kid”, Bell no longer raves in his bedroom. Back in 2007, Bell worked in skater shop ‘SUMO’ on Division Street in Sheffield. Aged 19, he DJ’d at weekends and produced music from home. Working alongside older staff, hence given the name ‘Toddla’, they were keen in his interest for music and took him to underground parties run by Sheffield DJ’s Winston Hazel and Pipes; who after meeting Bell decided to take him under their wing. From this, Bell started playing ‘Kabel’; a night in Sheffield placed at different buildings and warehouses. Bell began to work as a duo named ‘Small Arms Fiya’ producing beats and DJ’ing parties. It was then that Ross Orton, drummer from the band ‘Pulp’, noticed Bell’s potential and recommended him into a studio in Sheffield called ‘Kenwood’. This had a huge impact on Bell; being able to create music as well as meeting people within the business, which is where Bell’s career began to pick up.
He said he believes his music is completely shaped by Sheffield, according to The Independent. In The Guardian’s video on Bell, he discusses the fact he returns to his home city as much as he can, with often hangouts including DQ, The Bowery, Bungalows and bears, and Dirty Little Secret. The Guardian also reveals as Bell walks through Sheffield, he is stopped every few feet after bumping into a mate or familiar face. This in mind, he does stay modest about his success most of the time, with exception to the odd line: “People do say I am the King of raga dancehall in the UK”, said with a smirk on his face in an NME interview video.
Now living in London, focusing on new music with ‘The Toddla T Sound’ and ‘Girls Music’ amongst touring, playing his residency at Fabric, and his radio show, Bell is also expecting his first child with long term girlfriend Annie Mac; a fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ. Expected in May this year, we still have a couple of months with him before he gets settled.
Toddla T Sound latest release: ‘Worst Enemy’. Available to purchase on 25/03/2013.
gracecassonmusicscene 