Nardwuar is an influential Canadian journalist and musician. He started the garage rock band The Evaporators in 1986 in Vancouver, where he performs as the lead singer and keyboardist.
Profile Details
| Real Name | John Ruskin |
| Nick Name | Nardwuar the Human Serviette |
| Date Of Birth | July 05, 1968 |
| Place Of Birth | Vancouver, Canada |
| Age | 56 years old (As of 2024) |
| Height | 5 feet and 8 inches |
| Weight | 74 kg |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Profession | Journalist and Musician |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Parents | Olga Ruskin, Vernon Ruskin |
| Net Worth | $15 million (Approx.) |
Early Life & Education
Nardwuar was born on July 5, 1968, in Vancouver, Canada. His father, an engineer, and his mother, Olga, who had dual careers as a high school teacher and journalist. Additionally, Olga wrote a book about John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, a Vancouver historical figure.
In elementary school, he showed a talent for public speaking and won a competition. He also excelled at long-distance running. During his time at Hillside Secondary School in West Vancouver, he joined the student council.
Through his involvement, he booked bands for school events. As a result, he was interviewed by Art Bergmann of the Young Canadians.
In 1986, after attending the University of British Columbia, he became known as Nardwuar. He began volunteering at the campus radio station, CITR.
Career
Nardwuar’s career began in 1987 as a host on CITR, the University of British Columbia radio station. His show airs Friday afternoon and includes music, interviews, and discussion. His approach made him stand out from the start.
He conducted interviews cleverly, surprising his guests with interesting facts and questions. This creative approach quickly gained attention, and his show became a regular broadcast on CITR.
During the 1990s, he gained fame for his interview skills. His interviews with musicians, like those with Kurt Cobain and Snoop Dogg, became famous for their depth and humor. In addition to his research skills, he revealed facts that surprised his guests.
As a result of this success, his interviews have been featured on MuchMusic’s Going Coastal and printed in Chart Magazine. This extends his audience beyond the radio station.
As a journalist, he worked during the early 2000s. As a result, he began hosting guests on CBC Radio 3 and conducting high-profile interviews. He hosted his own show on WFMU, a New Jersey-based radio station, in 2009.
During this show, he reached an even more diverse audience. During this time, he also became known for his guerrilla journalism, attending press conferences to confront political leaders and celebrities with his provocative questions.
He has faced many difficulties throughout his career. He has faced physical and verbal abuse during interviews, like Dave Rowntree of Blur harassing and abusing him.
Despite these incidents, he maintained his calm and continued his work. His guests include musicians like Pharrell Williams and Drake and politicians like Mikhail Gorbachev and Gerald Ford.
Nardwuar has increased his influence in the past few years. He remains active on his YouTube channel, which features many interviews. In 2018, he interviewed Lil Uzi Vert, who featured their interview in the song “Futsal Shuffle 2020.”
In 2022, Nardwuar appeared in Macklemore’s music video titled “Maniac.” His interviews are still sought after for their unique style and depth, keeping him a relevant voice in the media.
Personal life
John Ruskin, famously known as Nardwuar, keeps his personal affairs out of the spotlight. Information about his relationship status or marriage is scarce, and there are no reports of him having children.
Health Issue
Nardwuar has faced several health issues. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in 1999, leading to epilepsy and temporary paralysis. Furthermore, he had a stroke in 2015 that took him to six days in the hospital.
The next year, doctors performed heart surgery to resolve the issue believed to have caused the stroke. After his recovery, Nardwuar resumed his media and music work.
Net worth
Nardwuar earned substantial income throughout his journalism and music career. His net worth is estimated to be $15 million by 2024. His income comes from media work, involvement with The Evaporators, and his YouTube channel.
Social media
Nardwuar’s popularity is largely attributed to his social media following over the years.
He is most active on his @nardwuar YouTube channel. His Instagram username @nardwuar has over 2.2 million followers.