ACCLAIMED broadcaster and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake considers himself a storyteller, someone who is neither afraid to shake things up nor bothered by trolls even if he ends up rattling the system. Counted among the UK’s top broadcasters, Arthanayake is close to be being a household name. Known for bringing in-depth interviews each week with the biggest names in entertainment, culture, politics and the arts, Arthanayake recently sat on the other side of table with GG2 Power List for a candid conversation where he talked about his growing up years, his habit to call out on wrong things and his passion for storytelling. “I was born in Es sex in 1971 to a family of Sri Lankan heritage. I was one of the very few Asians in my school. Growing up in a place where I did, which was very white, had a great effect on me.

Those years taught me a lot about sticking up for myself.” Arthanayake started his career in the music industry as a rapper, going by the name of ‘MC Krayzee A’. “By the time I was 23, I had signed record deals but by the time I turned 25, I had transitioned to journalism, starting with public relations (PR) work in the music industry. I al so have been a DJ and per formed in countries like Bangkok, Singapore, Zimbabwe and Nairobi. “For PR, I worked for Elton John, Lionel Richie and lots of American rap pers. I was one of the very few brown faces and I re ally appreciate music business figure Shabs Jobanputra for giving me my first job in the music industry,” he recalled. By the time Arthanayke got to radio, he was already 31. He and DJ Bobby Friction were given a show called Asian Beats