Tim Westwood is a British rap DJ and presenter from Lowestoft, Suffolk. He is born on 7 October 1957. He presents the BBC Radio 1 Rap Show and also presents the UK versions of MTV’s Pimp My Ride and My Super Sweet Sixteen.

Broadcasting and style

Westwood is known for a distinctive on-air style that uses catchphrases, sound effects such as explosions and air-horns, and a form of street-influenced patter. Phrases associated with him include “That’s the way it goes down”, “Fall back!”, “Bow down and kiss the ring... and I don’t wear any jewellery”, and “awwww pickaaaz”. Other DJs and artists on his shows refer to him as Westwood, Wiggah, Timmy and Shortcake.

Public profile

He gains wider notoriety after being injured in a drive-by shooting in Kennington, South London, on 18 July 1999, following a performance at the Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park. His assistant also survives the attack. Some of his catchphrases are sampled by the hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga on “Banned From TV”.