I know that it’s Friday, which means that everyone with a positive bank balance is already planning what venue they’ll be throwing up jagerbombs in later, but I’ve got some bad news.
Tim Westwood, the big dog, the big daddy, the grand-mother-fucking-father of hip-hop, is leaving Radio 1. It’s all part of a shuffle up of the station, which’ll see new shows for MistaJam, Charlie Sloth, DJ Target, and super-talented new signing Clara Amfo. It’s a sad day, not just because Trevor Nelson has had his contract renewed, but also because Tim has been dropping bombs and shattering glass on the station since 1994. Which is longer than some current rappers – holla Joey Bada$$! – have even been alive.
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To commemorate Tim’s departure, instead of writing some long obituary, we’ve put together a treasure trove of his best moments, in Radio 1, and outside of Radio 1.
HE’S GREAT WITH GUESTS
The best thing about Tim Westwood, unlike other DJs, is that he is always yelling. Some people hate it, but then again, some people hate Christmas. He’s the only person able to out-hyper Tyler, The Creator, branding him a naughty little boy. He’s also the only person to not get knocked back, even when he deserves it. When enquiring about Odd Future’s recent run of UK shows, Tyler asks, “what show did you go to?” To which Westwood replies, urm, “all of them.” No questions asked. YouTube dot com slash Tim Westwood TV! *bomb noise!!1!1!*
Honourable mention: Tyler, The Creator interviewing Tim Westwood.
HE’S EVEN BETTER WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Normally, when international hip-hop artists play in the UK, they’ll play a few arenas, count how much money they’ve earned, and fuck off back to the United States before anyone’s even had a chance to ask, excuse me, can we have some press time? However, Tim always managed to get the best guests on his show, with everyone from Lil Wayne to JAY Z to Wu-Tang having featured. The best slot has to go to Eminem, who, despite being told that he was “dripping in swagger juice”, delivers the best freestyle this side of mainstream radio. Check your yourself, UK Grime fans, this is how you freestyle, and he didn’t even need a mobile phone to read the lyrics off!
Honourable mention: THIS softly spoken interview with Will Smith from the vault.
HE LOVES (SAFE) SEX
Back in 2008, Tim teamed up with Durex, urging revelers at Butlins in Skegness to “strap it up before you slap it up”, which according to Tim, has become “the slogan for a hot night or holiday romance”.
HIS INSTAGRAM
As the modern age window to everyone’s lives, Instagram is the perfect place to see what Tim gets up to. According to the social network Westwood’s life is a flurry of run-ins with all levels of hip hop hierarchy, party flyers and tai-yaki waffle. Just look at him propped in this seven-foot bath. He’s probably still rocking Air Force 1s in the tub.
HE CAN LISTEN…
For a full five minutes while Kanye West rants (read: shows his passion)
PIMP MY RIDE UK
Remember this? Back in 2004 MTV wanted to anglicise their brand of shows. And, how were they going to do this? By bringing in Tim Westwood, obvs.
HE HAS HIS OWN BRANDED FLIP FLOPS
Big Tim has definitely divided opinions when it comes to his dress sense. Probably not equally divided but whatevs. Oversized jackets, New Era caps and dunks aren’t necessarily every day clothing options for a man approaching a hernia. Now he’s endorsing summer gear like these flip flops. Just because you always hear people moaning about how much the soles of their feet need to graze Big Tim’s eyelids.
THIS PICTURE
HE’S BEEN IN THE GAME SINCE FOREVER
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