Bobby Friction

Bobby Friction
  • Bobby Friction
  • BBC Radio 1 'The Bobby and Nihal Show'
  • BBC Asian Network 'Friction'
  • Channel 4: 'Generation 7/7', 'Bollywood Star', 'The Countryside Sucks'

With a unique personality and perspective on 21st Century Britain, Bobby Friction is a media rarity. A background in performance art, theatre, DJing, journalism, together with a wide music industry experience has given Bobby a persona that lives on the cutting edge, as well screaming through the cultural mainstream.

Bobby joined the BBC Asian Network in 2005 presenting the stations first ‘Album Chart show’ on Saturday afternoons, before moving to ‘The Mix’ on Sunday afternoons. However, it’s his new weekday show ‘Friction’, the stations late night music show, which has been a massive hit. Nevertheless, the ‘Bobby Friction and Nihal’ show (BBC Radio 1) is still going strong after winning the Music Award at the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards 2004. The show broadcasts the best in the British Asian urban musical experience. The show also picked up a prestigious Gold Sony Radio Award for Best Specialist show only six months in!

Not just content with radio, Bobby has remained as topical as ever with his most recent self-authored documentary taking him deep into the attitudes from British Asians in a world shaped by events such as 9/11 and 7/7. Aptly named, ‘Generation 7/7’ (Channel 4 Learning), Bobby contrasts his own experiences with a younger generation divided by culture and religion. On a much lighter note, Bobby presented ‘The Countryside Sucks!’ (Channel 4), a hilariously controversial yet thought provoking look at life and ethnic minorities in the countryside. A regular contributor on ‘Newsnight Review’ (BBC2) and ‘The Culture Show’ (BBC1), Bobby didn’t bat an eyelid during a heated confrontation with Michael Portillo. His outspoken approach and strong opinions also got an outing as a judge for ‘Bollywood Star 2004’ (Channel 4).

‘Friction in Europe’ was an investigation into the theory that young people from the new European states are flocking into the UK. Bobby won his second Sony Gold for his documentary ‘Vote Friction’ where he investigated the BNP in Burnley. These are just two of many documentaries Bobby has presented in 2004 for Radio 1. “Memo to Radio 1: give the boy a promotion.” (Sue Arnold, The Observer). Bobby is also a regular guest on the ‘Bannister show’ (BBC Radio 5).

Watch this space for the Friction invasion..!