Mary Anne Hobbes quits Radio One

I'm a bit slow on the UK news, being in some kind of Chicago limbo that I am, but anyways MAH quit Radio One. Here's her resignation letter:

"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 the University of Sheffield’s Union Of Students 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."


It's a bit of a loss to the Dubstep scene to say the least. She definitely helped put that sound out there. According to wikipedia : Her 2 hour special 'Dubstep Warz' on BBC Radio 1 in January 2006 is widely regarded as the show that broke the dubstep sound globally." So there. I wasn't always interested in her interpretation of the genre, but I've certainly appreciated all she's done for experimental music on the front lines. Big ups and respect to you Mary Anne Hobbs.

Here's the link to her full last show which includes mini-mixes by Kode 9 and Burial: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tm12t