Talina – Urban Rebel PR Interview
Talina is a dynamic, experienced radio broadcaster, presenter, interviewer, and podcaster from Manchester, based in London. As well as establishing herself as a presenter with wit and curiosity, Talina’s natural charm always creates a warm presence between her and her guests.
The breadth of Talina’s presenting experience spans a range of popular and well-respected commercial, digital,and electronic radio shows.
Some notable shows include her current weekday breakfast show on
KISS Dance, as well as previous residencies on Rinse FM, where she hosted weekday drive-time, BBC Radio Oxford, Netil Radio, and a late night show on Happy Radio Manchester.
We spoke to Talina to catch up on her current radio and presenting adventures and to see what’s in store for the rest of 2026.
- First of all, how are you and how has your jam-packed summer been so far?
I’m having a bit of a mental summer, but good mental…listen, it’s Leo season so I am THRIVING. But right now in the middle of a bit of a crazyyy month, so hanging on by a thread…but loving every second!
2. You’re a Manchester girl! What aspects of growing up here influenced your decision to start a career in the music industry?
Manchester is the reason I fell in love with the club and dance music. My first memories of going out are the Sankeys days, seeing Solomun live in an intimate sweaty club & completely falling in love with his sound, that’s what made me really connect to this world. I’m actually really finding my way back to deep house, and reconnecting to 17 year old me right now through my DJ sets, and it feels good.
3. You’ve had a wild ride so far in your radio career. From having your own show on small community radio stations to The Drive Time show on Rinse FM to now presenting the Kiss FM Dance Breakfast show. What’s the driving force behind your career in presenting and which presenters did you look up to?
It’s been a wild ride getting to this point, and I really stand on business when I say I KNOW radio, and have experienced working on a real variety of stations….including recording shows from my wardrobe. I feel like Rinse is where I really discovered who I was as a presenter, and was offered the freedom to really figure that out. The driving force behind it really is joy, I mean I get to chat nonsense & play music that I love…so why would I ever stop doing that? An obvious answer is Maya Jama, she also came up through Rinse & was a radio girlie, and I feel she comes across as a real human being, not some media trained personality. Another presenter I love is Harriet Rose, who was on KISS, again I rate her authenticity and how much fun she clearly had doing artist interviews on the radio, when someone is genuinely having fun, you can tell and it’s just infectious. I guess I admire presenters who have been where I am, and are going on to really carve their own career path, it’s “seeing to believe” that that is also possible for me.
4. Who is your dream interview with and why?
I would’ve said Mike Skinner, because The Streets is my all time fave. But I think I’d actually freak out, so maybe shouldn’t do that one. So let’s go with Aitch, because he’s my hall pass so that would be my way in xox
5. You and your best friend Grace have a DJ duo called G&T, how did you both meet and what sparked the idea to start DJing together?
We actually met in our acting class (shout out amazing teach, Laurence Mitchell) it was a little bit of a slow burner, we weren’t besties immediately, but as soon as we were locked in that was it. I’d learnt to DJ, because I was on the radio & knew I needed to know my way around the decks, but I didn’t really LOVE it. Grace asked me to teach her, once I did it completely changed my experience, and I fell in love with it. DJing back to back with my best friend, really is one of the most special things ever.
6. Who’s an upcoming artist that you’re really excited about and why?
Rohan Rakhit, he’s a fellow radio broadcaster, an incredible selector, and really has very good morals (which is becoming more and more rare), he’s someone you can really trust behind the decks to give you a really special experience. He’s also part of Daytimers, an incredible South Asian collective, going to their parties have taught me a lot.
7. You have a Podcast with Jess Izatt called Real Housewives of Football. As a Manchester United supporter, what are your predictions for the upcoming Premier League?
Manchester United are going to win the league. Obviously!
8. If you could pick three 2026 releases to soundtrack your summer, what would they be and why?
Rhythm of The House – ejeca & Alex culross. Been playing it in almost all of my sets, it takes me back to my deep house Sankeys days & I’m really tryna tap back into that. I just – Oflynn. I’m an Emotional girlie, and I’ve been working through some personal stuff recently, this tune gets me in my feelings and helps me release some of that. It’s also a track by one of my besties, and he’s an UNREAL producer, so that makes it more special. Put That Banger on next – Ahadadream & Capo Lee. so so perfect for playing out at festivals, such a percussive high energy track, and the linkup between these two legends is so so necessary. They are two of my favourite people to see play live, so them together is chefs kiss.
9. Here’s a Talina style question. Would you rather go skiing with someone you know has committed tax fraud and you have to keep their secret or share Manchester United football teams secret strategies with the Manchester City players?
Omg, skiing with tax frauder…Manchester United always comes first. ALWAYS.
10. What can we expect to see from Talina for the remainder of 2026?
Some biiig gawj G&T shows, the development of a very special passion project that I’m currently in the early stages of working on, continuing to develop my KISS dance brekkie show, the return of me spamming the world with Man U content…and who knows MAYBE FALL IN LOVE 😉
Quick Fire Round!
Frogs or Dogs
Frogs (but I’m currently desperately trying to stop myself getting a dog)
UK Garage or UK Funky
UK garage…every time
Manchester or London
eughhhh Manchester is at my core, but right now my career is my priority & London is where it’s at for that
Cheesy Beans or Pie & Mash
PIE & MASH!!!!!!
Oasis or Aitch
…Aitch (#hallpass)
Talina Online