Normski
Norman Anderson (born 1966)[1] better known as Normski, is a British broadcaster, photographer, DJ,[2] and rapper, known for his work as a BBC television presenter.
Early life[edit]
Anderson was born in northwest London.[1] He was given his first camera at the age of nine, and was inspired by photographer Horace Ové, whose son was a friend.[3]
Career[edit]
Anderson first came to public attention as a member of London's hip-hop scene in the 1980s, and photographed fashion associated with the scene, for magazines including The Face and Vogue.[3] He also became a fashion designer, using patterns associated with black African cultural heritage.[1]
Described as "larger than life and effusive",[4] Normski fronted BBC television's DEF II and Dance Energy, "youth" shows on BBC2 in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[5] Normski has also featured in other TV projects, including reality TV shows (e.g. Extreme Celebrity Detox). He interspersed his prose presentation with rhymes and short raps. His involvement in DEF II was an early mainstream outlet for rap in British mass culture.[citation needed]
His photography on the theme of the "Black British experience" has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.[1][6]
In August 2008, he appeared in a UK TV advert for yell.com.[7]
He makes regular guest appearances at bars and clubs across the UK and a radio show, The Ride, on Push FM.[8]
His fanzine Darker Shade of White captures images from the 1980s UK hip-hop culture.[9]
Personal life[edit]
Normski lived with DEF II producer Janet Street-Porter for four years.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "African Homeboy - Brixton". Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "UK legend Normski talks about his classic music TV show 'Dance Energy' for Black History Month 2019". Ace. 15 October 2019. BBC. Radio 1Xtra. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Revisit Motherland". Somerset House. 10 May 2020. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Normski's inside view". Evening Standard. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "normski - break from the norm". Lexicon magazine (5). Archived from the original on 6 November 2009.
- ^ "Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience, 1950s-1990s". Arts. BBC. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Normski stars in Yell.com TV ad by Mother". Brand Republic (Press release). Haymarket Media Group. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "RADIO STATION PROFILE | Push FM". Radiocafe. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Pink, Jessie (2 August 2016). "Photographs from the UK's golden age of hip hop". Dazed. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Barber, Lynn (24 September 2006). "Damn it, Janet". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
External links[edit]
- Normski at International Radio Faces
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