Nihal Arthanayake

Nihal Arthanayake is an award-winning broadcaster, cultural commentator, author, and former rap artist, celebrated for his powerful, thought-provoking keynote talks and masterful interviewing style. A passionate advocate for meaningful dialogue and inclusivity, Nihal is best known for hosting the BBC Radio 5 Live show ‘Nihal Arthanayake’, and now presents the acclaimed Sunday night interview series ‘Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake’, also available as a podcast. His greatest professional accolade to date is winning the Interview of the Year at the 2019 BBC Radio & Music Awards, recognising his exceptional skill in capturing candid, insightful conversations with leading figures across arts, culture, sport, and politics.

Nihal’s journey began in the British hip hop scene under the name MC Krayzee A, releasing his debut track on the 1988 compilation ‘Hard Core One’. In the 1990s, he performed as part of The Muddie Funksters, and later collaborated with acts like Collapsed Lung, Fun Da Mental, and Punjabi MC. His passion for music led him to the business side of the industry, where he became a music promoter working with artists as diverse as Nitin Sawhney, Mos Def, Judge Jules and Elton John. As part of Outcaste Records, he helped spotlight the Asian underground sound, especially championing Badmarsh & Shri’s work. Alongside this, Nihal developed a successful writing career, contributing to publications such as The Observer, Mixmag, and Asiana.

In broadcasting, Nihal made a name for himself with the Sony Gold Award-winning show ‘Bobby Friction & Nihal Present’ on BBC Radio 1, and later hosted his own daytime phone-in show on BBC Asian Network, which won a Sony Radio Award for Best Speech Programme in 2010. He was named ‘Media Personality of the Year at the 2022 Asian Media Awards’, and his book, ‘Let’s Talk: How to Have Better Conversations’, published in 2022, was widely praised for its insights on empathy, listening and communication. His television appearances span Celebrity MasterChef, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Wheel, and Portrait Artist of the Year, demonstrating his versatility and popularity across media platforms.

A keynote speaker like Nihal brings more than just experience—he brings perspective. His talks address key issues such as diversity in media, communication in leadership, and the role of culture in identity. With decades of lived and professional experience, former BBC Radio 1 presenter, current BBC Radio 5 Live host, and bestselling author, Nihal delivers speeches that are inspiring, eye-opening, and necessary for organisations seeking authentic, forward-thinking voices. Whether speaking on race, resilience, or how to build bridges through better conversation, Nihal Arthanayake always leaves audiences empowered and challenged in the best way.