If you’ve spent time on the internet you’ve probably seen clips of your favourite artist being interviewed by a man in a plaid hat and yellow jacket, with deeply personal questions. If you hadn’t already known, that man’s name is Nardwuar, and he is a BC native that attends UBC.

In a move that probably caught a few politicians off guard in Ottawa, Nardwuar the “Human Serviette” was recently appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. It’s the country’s highest civilian honour, and seeing that Nardwuar did his famous “hip flip” with Prime Minister Mark Carney a year before the honour, it was not much of a surprise.

https://x.com/nardwuar/status/2006353059598004584

Unlike a lot of other social media and radio phonemes, Nardwuar remained in Vancouver throughout his success. He started right here at UBC, working the 90 second slots at CiTR 101.9 FM back in the late ’80s. He was just a history major who loved local punk bands, yet he ended up becoming the only person on earth who could make Snoop Dogg or Drake look genuinely starstruck.

When Nardwuar accepted the honour, he dedicated it to his late mother, Olga Ruskin. She was a local historian and journalist who taught him the value of deep research. He famously noted that his tireless research isn’t a gimmick, rather a way of showing respect to the artists. Pharrell Williams famously told him,

“Your research is second-to-none.”

You’re not able to find that kind of dedication easily in this industry that usually focuses on fluff and 15-second sound bites.

But the coolest part for me? He still signs off every single video with “Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.” In an industry where interviewers are not meant to be the star, Nardwuar’s authentic personality and unique questions always directs the viewer’s eyes towards him. He proved that a kid from West Vancouver could change global music journalism just by being the most prepared person in the building.

The Order of Canada is usually reserved for scientists and doctors, but giving it to the guy who refuses to call a “serviette” a “napkin” is exactly the kind of energy we need.

And you and I both know there’s only one way to end this article… “Doot doola doot doo…”