An award-winning DJ and champion for R&B music worldwide, Trevor Nelson is a household name across the UK. He started his broadcasting career at then pirate station Kiss FM and went on to A&R artists such as D’Angelo and signed Lynden David Hall at Cooltempo / EMI Records.
In 1996, Trevor moved to BBC Radio 1 to present the first ever national R&B show The Rhythm Nation which ran on the station for 17 years. He now spans two of the BBC’s most popular music networks. For BBC Radio 2 Trevor Nelson’s Rhythm Nation is live four nights a week, Monday to Thursday (10pm – Midnight) and for BBC Radio 1Xtra, Trevor plays old school classics every Sunday (11am-1pm).
Trevor Nelson’s Soul Christmas returns to the Royal Albert Hall in December 2023 after two sell-out shows in 2019 and 2022. Curated by Trevor himself, the events bring together a host of special guest vocalists and have included names like Corinne Bailey Rae, Kimberly Davis, Laura Mvula, Eve and Emilie Sande, performing re-imagined iconic Soul and R&B tracks alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra. The concert is broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in the lead up to Christmas.
Trevor also curated Windrush 75 for the Hall in June 2023 to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush and celebrate the impact of Caribbean culture on British life. Artists – including Craig David, Beverley Knight and Hak Baker – captured the breadth of musical influence which the Windrush generation had on British culture over the last 75 years. Additionally, Trevor presented Exodus: Bob Marley Reimagined featuring the Chineke! Orchestra with Skip Marley and JP Cooper for BBC Two, marking the 60th anniversary of Jamaican Independence in August 2022.
Trevor partnered with Google Arts & Culture in 2023 on their campaign celebrating the impact of Black British music on every area of culture. The project, Union Black, is an online multi-platform experience featuring a collection of stories, photos, videos, audio documentaries and podcasts exploring the vibrant history and future of Black British music.
As a renowned DJ, he continues to headline live music events across the UK under his own brand Soul Nation. He has released 12 incredibly successful compilation albums over the last 20 years.
Trevor has been the recipient of multiple awards. He was honoured with an MBE for his work with the Millennium Volunteers, has been awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Gold Badge and was honoured by the Radio Academy with a Special Gold Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to broadcasting. He has 4 MOBO awards and was an Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympics.
Trevor joined MTV in 1998 to host their flagship RnB show The Lick, the show aired for 11 years on MTV base making it the longest running show on the channel. He hosted the first ever MTV Africa Awards from Abuja, Nigeria.
Other TV credits as presenter have included The Players Club and Trevor Nelson’s Urban Choice for BBC as well as NFL UK for Channel 5.
Radio 2: Trevor Nelson’s Rhythm Nation
Radio 1Xtra: Trevor Goes Old Skool
Trevor Nelson’s Divas Podcast
