Toddla T: The Sky Is The Limit

Sheffield's history of producing notable musical talent is well documented, beginning with the obvious in the form of Pulp and Arctic Monkeys and moving onwards from there, as Warp Record founders Rob Gordon and Steve Beckett also hail from the city. Carrying on this great tradition of innovative performers is Toddla T.

Over the past several years Toddla T (real name Tom Bell) has been making his mark on the UK and overseas with his chaotic blend of reggae, house, techno and grime that is reminiscent of the fun Basement Jaxx exuded in their early years. His debut album, Skanky Skanky, was released in 2009 to praise from various club DJs, earning Toddla an underground following. This led to an opportunity to mix for the highly respected Fabric Live series and a monthly residency at the clubbing institution.

In addition to his solo work, Toddla has produced for UK hip-hop’s most recognisable personae, Roots Manuva and the Top 40-bothering pop star Tinchy Stryder. His remix roster includes the likes of Hot Chip, Jack Peñate and Ladyhawke, whilst recently the Steel City ambassador has been making a regular appearance on Radio 1 as part of the In New DJs We Trust series.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Toddla did not start his career as a natural progression from going to clubs and becoming immersed in the nocturnal culture. In fact, for the massive Notorious B.I.G. fan, the music came long before the night life. “I started in my house when I was about 15,” says the 25 year old. “I had decks in my house and I got into producing music before I went to parties. I just wanted to do it.”

It did not take long for the small Sheffield music community to take notice of his talents and he was soon taken under the wing of production veteran Ross Orton, the man behind the success of the early MIA releases, who showed Toddla how to use a studio properly. He was christened Toddla T by the elder DJs in the community who could not believe that someone so young could possess the ability to execute such pounding rhythms.

When asked about his experiences growing up in the Sheffield club scene, Toddla explains why the lack of respectable venues worked in his favour. “The nightlife when I was growing up was crap,” begins Toddla. “It was a bit of a blessing as there were more underground parties. This also meant that I got introduced to a lot of music that I wouldn’t normally listen to. I got into dancehall, reggae, American dance music and UK garage.”

Toddla recently signed to Ninja Tune and is currently living in London, which is strange as he once said in an interview that he would never move to the capital as he didn’t want to end up “playing electro at some fucking club in Shoreditch.” When confronted about his previous declaration, the one time resident of the People’s Republic of South Yorkshire laughed sheepishly and responds: “Haha! I’m down here all the time and I am in a relationship down here so it just made sense.”

The relationship he is referring to is with Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac. Toddla has previously used a recording from a drunken late night phone call to Miss Mac in down tempo gem Rebel, but he promises that depriving his girlfriend of sleep is a thing of the past. “There are no more phone calls!” declares the excitable Yorkshire man. “She just lives round the corner now so I don’t need to!”

Toddla is currently working on his sophomore album and has taken the opportunity to visit the birth place of his beloved reggae and dancehall music. “I am working on my follow up to Skanky Skanky,” states the enthusiastic producer. “I went to Jamaica twice in the past year, so I have been writing and recording over there. Like the last album, it is going to be all over the shop.”

The relentless DJ has recently performed at Rockness and will be dropping beats throughout Europe for the rest of the summer with a packed schedule that includes appearances at some of the country’s best clubs and music festivals. Toddla is clearly excited about getting his music out to a wider audience. “I am looking forward to Big Chill and Lovebox,” says the curly haired Ritalin candidate. “I love playing during the day because it is so much different. You get to see people’s reactions and there is a big selection of people, there are even little kids, so that should be amazing.”