Mary Anne Hobbs, a trailblazing BBC Radio presenter, discusses her journey in championing leftfield electronic music and her project 'All Queens' promoting women in music. The power of radio in creating community, exploring Yoko Ono's impact, and celebrating female artists are key topics. The conversation also touches on personal growth, self-discovery, and heartfelt gratitude shared between the speakers.
Mary Anne Hobbs broke boundaries in the male-dominated music industry by championing leftfield electronic music like Dubstep and Grime on the Breeze Block show.
Through the All Queens project, Mary Anne Hobbs advocates for gender equity by creating a platform that promotes and empowers women in music at all levels.
Mary Anne Hobbs and Cheryl emphasize the importance of diversity, representation, and inclusivity in the music industry to create an environment that embraces individual stories and voices.
Deep dives
Mary Ann Hobbs' Journey in Music Broadcasting
Mary Ann Hobbs shares her inspiring journey in music broadcasting, beginning with her early life where music was banned in her household. Finding solace in a transistor radio, she broke boundaries in the male-dominated music industry. Initiating the Breeze Block Show, she promoted electronic music, including Dubstep and Grime. Currently hosting the Morning Show at Radio 6 and spearheading the All Queens project, Hobbs continues to champion women in music.
Cheryl's Collaborative Relationship with Mary Ann Hobbs
Cheryl details her close collaborative relationship with Mary Ann Hobbs, highlighting Hobbs' unwavering support for her music and broadcasting career. Expressing gratitude for the opportunities given by Hobbs at BBC Radio 6, Cheryl acknowledges the significance of representation in the music industry and the importance of diverse lineups, embracing inclusivity and intersectionality.
Promoting Gender Equity in Music
Mary Ann Hobbs and Cheryl discuss their advocacy for gender equity in the music industry. Recognizing challenges and biases faced by women and non-binary individuals, they emphasize the need for diverse representation and inclusive environments. Both emphasize the importance of individual stories and voices, promoting kindness, compassion, and inclusivity.
Future Plans and Legacy in Broadcasting
Mary Ann Hobbs talks about her upcoming performance at the six music festival, showcasing a unique collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra. She reflects on her growth and centeredness at 50 and anticipates new artistic ventures. Cheryl shares her exploration of different DJing styles and her evolving approach to music sets, driven by personal experiences and a commitment to diversity.
Concluding Thoughts and Mutual Appreciation
In the final segment, Mary Ann Hobbs and Cheryl express mutual appreciation and admiration for each other's work. They reflect on personal and professional growth, changing perspectives on age, and the evolving nature of creativity. Their conversation highlights the power of mentorship, support for underrepresented voices, and the importance of continuous learning and self-discovery.
Wrap Up
The episode concludes with a message of gratitude from Mary Ann Hobbs and Cheryl for the insightful conversation. The impact of collaborative relationships, diversity in music, and personal growth resonates throughout their discussion, emphasizing the value of inclusivity, individuality, and mutual support in the music industry.
"You could feel the ground shifting beneath you." The long time BBC Radio host talks about her party, All Queens, her love for SHERELLE and music as a force for good.
Resident Advisor continues its celebration of Women's History Month (and International Women's Day) with a special conversation with Mary Anne Hobbs. The long time BBC Radio presenter has been a diehard documenter of music culture and a radio fanatic ever since she was a young girl. As she recounts in this episode, the transistor she kept in secret while growing up became her getaway to another universe, a beacon of hope that she listened to every night under the covers at home.
In 1996, she became a host at BBC Radio 1. It was a time when there were few women involved in the music industry in general, and few people at all championing leftfield electronic music. Hobbs famously started the Breezeblock show and championed dubstep and grime, pushing new artists whose work she admired and helping usher them into the limelight.
Today Hobbs' iconic voice is still hosting the radio every day—this time at Radio 6. She's leading an exciting project called All Queens, a platform that started as a radio show for women's music that has quickly turned into a touring club night at fabric run by and starring women, from the sound engineers to the bouncers and headliners of the night. Hobbs discusses the platform and is joined by close friend SHERELLE, who dissects some of the nuances in representation the scene fails to overlook when it discusses gender in nightlife. The pair recently performed sets together at the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival. Listen to the episode in full.
This episode was recorded at Recorded at Pirate Studios – Recording, Rehearsal, DJ, Podcast and Dance studios spread across New York, London, Berlin, Los Angeles and beyond. For more information, visit pirate.com.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode