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

Anderson was born in northwest London.[3] He was given his first camera at the age of nine, and was inspired by photographer Horace Ové, whose son was a friend.[4]

Career

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.[4] He also became a fashion designer, using patterns associated with black African cultural heritage.[3]

Described as "larger than life and effusive",[5] Normski fronted BBC television's DEF II and Dance Energy, "youth" shows on BBC2 in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[6] 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.

His photography on the theme of the "Black British experience" has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.[3][7]

In August 2008, he appeared in a UK TV advert for yell.com.[8]

He makes regular guest appearances at bars and clubs across the UK and a radio show, The Ride, on Push FM.[9]

His fanzine Darker Shade of White captures images from the 1980s UK hip-hop culture.[10]

Personal life

Normski lived with DEF II producer Janet Street-Porter for four years.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Mike Leigh Associates - Presenters - Norman Anderson Aka Normski". Mikeleighassoc.com. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  2. ↑ "UK legend Normski talks about his classic music TV show 'Dance Energy' for Black History Month 2019". Bbc.co.uk. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "African Homeboy - Brixton". V&A Museum. 1987. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Revisit Motherland", Somerset House, 10 May 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020
  5. ↑ "Normski's inside view", Evening Standard, 10 September 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2020
  6. ↑ "Normski - Lexicon". Lexiconmag.co.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  7. ↑ "Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience, 1950s-1990s". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  8. ↑ "Normski stars in Yell.com TV ad by Mother - Brand Republic News". Brandrepublic.com. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  9. ↑ "Push FM". Radiocafe.co.uk.
  10. ↑ Jessie Pink (2 August 2016). "Photographs from the UK's golden age of hip hop". Dazed.
  11. ↑ Barber, Lynn (24 September 2006). "Damn it, Janet". The Guardian.
  • Normski at International Radio Faces


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