Toddla T

Sheffield native Thomas Mackenzie Bell, better known as Toddla T, blends a wide range of electronic sounds while favoring dancehall, hip-hop, electro, and house. His path started at fourteen when he first tried his hand at DJ’ing and soon landed gigs in nearby bars and clubs. Just two years later the momentum was strong enough for him to drop out of school and commit to music professionally. In 2009 he joined 1965 Records and issued his first full-length, Skanky Skanky, which mixed hip-hop, electro, garage, dancehall, and house while spotlighting guests such as Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys, Roots Manuva, Tinchy Stryder, Joe Goddard, and Hervé. Critics responded warmly, giving his profile a decisive lift. Shortly afterward he began presenting regular programs on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra, contributed Fabriclive 47 to Fabric London’s mix series, and delivered remixes for Hot Chip, Jack Penate, Ladyhawke, and Tricky.

In 2010 Bell relocated to London and moved his contract to Ninja Tune. The next year he prepared his second album, Watch Me Dance, shaped by periods spent in Jamaica and sessions alongside Major Lazer. An introduction arranged by longtime associate Joe Goddard led him to Raf Rundell of 2 Bears, prompting the pair to establish Girls Music as an outlet for varied talent; Roska, DJ Q, Ashley Beedle, and Roses Gabor all appeared on the imprint. Bell himself released material through the label under the Toddla T Sound banner, a 2013 collective that also featured Serocee, DRS, and Shola Ama. Although his visibility remained high, the following years were devoted largely to family after he and partner Annie Mac welcomed two children. By 2017 he had returned to the studio for an extensive collaboration with vocalist Andrea Martin; the volume of material they generated became the foundation of his third album, Foreign Light.