Tim Westwood has been providing hip-hop to Great Britain through BBC Radio 1 for almost twenty years now. He's been key in introducing UK audiences to American hip-hop stars, with a long list of 'Tim Westwood Freestyles' under his belt. Now, at 55-years old, he's been forced to pass the torch, after all, rap is a young man's game.
It was announced recently that Charlie Sloth would be taking over Tim Westwood's Saturday night (9 PM) slot on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra. You may remember Charlie Sloth interviewed J. Cole for a BBC 1Xtra feature, during which Cole revealed a TLC collaboration would be on Born Sinner.
Westwood introduced BBC Radio 1 to hip-hop in 1994, with the station's first-ever dedicated rap show. The change to Charlie Sloth is in an effort to appeal to younger listeners, bringing down the average listener age of 29.
BBC Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper said, "I’d like to thank Tim for the last 20 years on Radio 1. His passion for Hip Hop is legendary. I wish him all the very best."
Although Westwood will no longer have his Saturday night show, he'll be staying on for his weekday show on 1Xtra and his Wednesday night soul show on Radio 2.
Watch a classic Eminem Westwood freestyle below. Check out a whole lot more Tim Westwood freestyles here.