Renowned radio personality Mary Anne Hobbs has decided to leave Radio 1 after fourteen years.
In the world of bass music there are few more important figures than Mary Ann Hobbs. Hosting the Experimental show on Radio 1, the presenter was the first mainstream personality to acknowledge the dubstep movement.
The seminal ‘Dub Wars’ program thrust the movement into the spotlight, at a time when dubstep nights were few and far between, even in London. Since then, Mary Anne Hobbs has brought numerous young producers to the fore, helping to establish British underground dance music as a visible and viable commodity.
But these developments are just the latest stage in an enthralling 14 year career which has seen Mary Anne Hobbs present numerous programs on Radio 1. Developing a great attachment to the station, she today (July 23rd) announced that she was stepping down.
“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 Sheffield University’s 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.”
Mary Anne Hobbs final show will be on September 8th / 9th between 2am – 4am.
