The London-born DJ kicked off his career with the Madhatter sound system, putting on warehouse parties.
He then worked for pirate radio station Kiss FM in London, becoming a director once the station went legal.
He became known for his Soul II Soul Sunday night jam at the Africa Centre.
His friendship with frontman Jazzie B saw them set up a second Soul II Soul shop in London.
Working as a promotions manager at Cooltempo (EMI Records), Nelson championed acts like 90s US hip-hop group Arrested Development and Gang Starr.
After 10 years with Kiss FM, he moved to Radio 1 in 1996 to present Rhythm Nation.
Two-time best DJ winner at the Mobo Awards, Nelson also went on to host the ceremony alongside Kelis and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
Moving into television, he presented MTV’s black music shows The Lick and The Lick Chart before the BBC gave him his own shows, Trevor Nelson’s Urban Choice and The Lowdown.
As well as hosting stages at the Notting Hill Carnival for Radio 1, Nelson also released the compilation albums Pure Grooves and INCredible Sound Of Trevor Nelson.
He has also presented the MTV Europe Music Awards and the Prince’s Trust Urban Music Festival.
In 2002, Nelson received an MBE for his contribution to the Millennium Volunteers programme.
Listeners can hear him present The Music Is Black concert, recorded at Hackney Empire last month, on Sunday night on Radio 2.