Julie Adenuga
United Kingdom
Early life[edit]
Julie Adenuga was born in Tottenham in the London Borough of Haringey[2] to Nigerian parents.[4] Her father Joseph Adenuga is from the Yoruba ethnic group while her mother Ify Adenuga is from the Igbo ethnic group.[5][6] Adenuga is the younger sister of Jme and Skepta, who are both London-based Grime artists and record producers, as well as co-founders of the Boy Better Know record label.[7] She also has a younger brother: Jason Adenuga, an animator.[8]
Early career[edit]
Adenuga made her debut in the music industry in 2010, when she joined London community radio station Rinse FM and then went on to present the drive time show.[9]
In 2014, she created and hosted a music television show on Channel AKA and Dailymotion called Play It, which serves as a platform for UK rap and grime artists as well as singers and poets.[10] Adenuga recently started a YouTube interview series, featuring artists such UK grime and rap artist Stormzy.[11] As well as this, she hosted Vice Magazine's online offshoot, Noisey's, Grime Karaoke.[12]
As part of the 2015 Apple WWDC keynote, Adenuga was introduced as the London headline host of Beats 1 radio. Beats 1 is the global radio service from Apple Music.[13]
To add to her presenting accolades, Adenuga wrote and presented Skepta's 'Greatness Only' documentary for Noisey.[14] Her talents have been noted and recognised with mentions in Forbes 2017 Europe 30 under 30, in Debrett's 500 List: Music.[15][16][17][18]
In 2020, Adenuga launched Don't Trust the Internet (DTTI),[19][20] a creative media house that produces shows such as Julie's Top 5.[3][21]
In early 2021, she began co-hosting MTV’s Catfish UK: The TV Show, the UK version of the U.S. show, alongside Oobah Butler.[22][23][24] Adenuga left the show after only one season.
Selected interviews[edit]
Julie Adenuga has conducted interviews with rappers, singer-songwriters, record producers, authors and creatives including Stormzy, Jay-Z, Jorja Smith, Pharrell Williams,[25] Skepta, Wizkid, Cruel Santino, Cardi B, Kojo Funds, Leigh-Anne Pinnock,[26] Burna Boy,[27] Erykah Badu,[28] Snazzy the Optimist,[29] Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion,[30] Grace Ladoja, Greatness Dex, Wavy the Creator, Not3s,[31] Candice Carty-Williams, Odunsi the Engine,[32] Stefflon Don, Ify Adenuga,[33] Big Narstie,[34] and Mr Eazi.[35]