Niel Scobie is a PhD candidate and part-time instructor in Western University's Faculty of Information and Media Studies. He also teaches turntablism at the University of Guelph's School of Fine Art and Music. Niel's dissertation, supervised by Dr. Keir Keightley, explores the roots of hip-hop culture in Toronto, particularly its connections to the Caribbean diaspora and sound system culture. Recent publications have appeared in Contemporary Musical Expressions in Canada (McGill-Queen's University Press) and The Spaces and Places of Canadian Popular Culture (Canadian Scholars Press).

Prior to academia, Niel spent 20 years in Vancouver's hip-hop scene as a DJ and producer. In 1989, he created "In Effect"at UBC's CITR 101.9fm, one of Canada's earliest hip-hop radio shows. As a producer, his collaborations received Juno nominations for "Rap Recording of the Year" in 2003 and 2005.