Nihal Arthanayake

Nihal began promoting rap shows in his native Essex while still doing his A-levels. By graduation he was signed to a major label, and since then has written for Asiana, Eastern Eye, The Face, Mixmag, Hip Hop Connection and The Observer. He now co-presents 'Bobby and Nihal', the British-Asian chat show on BBC Radio 1 and makes frequent television appearances.

In the late 1990s he did PR for artists from Nitin Sawhney, Judge Jules, Mos Def, Beenieman, Badmarsh & Shri to Elton John. Nihal has rapped with Fun'Da'Mental, Badmarsh & Shri, Mentor, Sona Family and DJ Sanj as well as hosting the Asian 8 Mile MC Battles at his monthly club night Bombay Bronx, launched in May 2004 to showcase his love of rap music, but from a distinctly Asian perspective. Since its creation Bombay Bronx has hosted Raghav, Swami, Jay Sean and the Mentor Kollektiv, who appeared at the 2006 Advisory Board meeting.

Nihal has DJed his own clubnight, the Isle of Wight Festival, Glastonbury and the Bestival in the UK, as well as club gigs up and down the country. In 2005 he DJed in Bangladesh, Dubai, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Thailand and toured America with Bobby Friction and Raghav.

Bobby Friction and Nihal were cultural ambassadors for the successful London 2012 Olympic bid.

Nihal joined the British Council Board on 3 October 2006.