BBCTonight with Target’s Remi Burgz: ‘Nothing like this exists on TV right now’
We caught up with Remi ‘Your Local Energy Provider’ Burgz, to talk about motivation, life changing experiences and why she’s excited about series two of BBC Three’s Tonight with Target.
There are few people who bring as much joy to our screens as Remi Burgz. She’s a ball of energy and, as fans of her shows will know, she’s rightfully earned her self-given title.
So, where does all of that energy come from? Well, when Remi was younger, a life changing experience shifted her perspective on things.
In 2014, the presenter was in what she describes as a ‘major car accident,’ which changed her entire world.
‘I could’ve not been here,’ she recalls.
The near fatal experience led Remi to not ‘take life too seriously’ and since then she’s decided to have a positive outlook on things.
BBC“I just see life in a different way. Like, if I want to dance at a bus stop, I’ll dance at a bus stop. Do you know what I mean?”
This positivity led to Remi becoming an increasingly popular radio and TV host, bringing her infectious energy to BBC Radio 1Xtra’s prime time afternoon slot and Tonight with Target.
And she has one, simple goal: “My goal is that whatever room I enter, to just try and ignite a let loose side of people. That’s where my drive and everything comes from. So being able to do that on national TV. It's a blessing.”
You’ll be able to see Remi’s energy in action on series two of Tonight with Target, which drops every Thursday night from 10pm on BBC Three and Iplayer.
For those not familiar, Tonight with Target is BBC Three’s critically acclaimed show celebrating black British music. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, there will be six, 45 minute episodes hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter and The Rap Game UK mentor DJ Target and Remi.
The pair are incredibly excited about the new season, with Target weighing in to say: “Tonight with Target is back and I cannot wait!! This series is gonna be epic, with another amazing list of performers and guests showcasing some of the biggest names and highlighting breaking talent that’s emerging. All of this with a live audience and non-stop vibes. Let’s go!”
BBCRemi added to the hype, explaining that this show isn’t being done anywhere else: “this is an amazing show. And I think Target has hit the nail on the head, nothing like this exists on TV right now.”
“It's great to know that we've got a slot on BBC Three and iPlayer, a spot where we can showcase black British music and what’s popping at the moment,” she adds.
So, what makes this show so special?
In short, it’s the biggest party on TV, providing a platform to black artists, with enough laughs and lyrics to keep your shoulders shuffling throughout.
In series one, Remi had a Rider Room, where she interviewed guests but this time around, she’ll be in the studio with DJ Target, getting the audience and guests involved in ‘sound clashes,’ where she’ll put her best pick for the show’s official playlist against Target’s choice.
Remi will even host her own news segment each week, where she’ll be joined by a co-host as they hilariously update us on all the events and news unfolding in the culture. And she’s promised that her BBC Celebrity Mastermind specialist subject of salmon - yep salmon - will be put to good use.
As she excitedly teases: “You're gonna enjoy this first news [segment]. It’s very silly. I've got a coat and I wear two glasses on top of my original glasses. And there’s salmon on the news table - you don't get to see that often, do you?”
BBCIt’s this light hearted tone that DJ Target and Remi bring which comes out in Tonight with Target, in the live audience, ‘the atmosphere [and] the aura’ of the show. Whether the guests are singing and or discussing the week’s news: it’s a space where everyone’s welcome.
This, as Remi notes, is what makes the show so special, as it provides an opportunity to: “a lot of artists [that] probably won't get TV opportunities to perform. Unless they have maybe a number one record and some of them haven't achieved that yet. So, you know, I thought that this is just a way to support artists, even if they don't have a number one record.”
And Target firmly agrees, adding that the show will be a source of inspiration to aspiring artists: “Hopefully they can come up and directly look at this [show] and say, 'That's something you can aspire to.' That's why [we tried] to make sure we had new artists on the show.”
True to word, the first episode will bring together amazing acts like Headie One, K Trap, Miraa May, Harry Pinero, Eddie Kadi, and Eva Apio.
Ultimately, Remi explained: “What this show is going to give is going to be variety. And I feel like it's for everyone, you can tap in and vibe with us. We're here to spread love and joy, and again, to educate in the way that we want to. I mean, it's not serious, not too serious. Anyway, it's all about having fun.”
And you can join in on that fun every Thursday at 10pm on BBC Three and IPlayer.
