By Steven Ratz, Jr.
"The number one DJ on the circuit today, DJ Rap, take it away!" suggested the MC who was busting rhymes during DJ Rap's set. The beautiful British drum 'n' bass, jungle and hardcore turntablist DJ Rap gladly obliged, much to the delight of her fans.
DMA caught up with DJ Rap at the 13th annual South by Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas, but a delayed flight left no time for the official interview! Instead, we were content to watch in awe, as she took her place in the DJ booth at Austin's Red Room. From there, DJ Rap positioned herself behind the hallowed decks that her good friend and colleague, the legendary "Tranceporter" Paul Oakenfold, had graced just a few night before.
When DJ Rap spins her cool cuts, she gets into it as much as the crowd does down on the floor. She'll be up there with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, jumping around to her own music, and getting into the vibe. However, DJ Rap didn't come to party alone, and when she's not satisfied with the atmosphere, she'll motion for the crowd to get louder... and they do! While DJ Rap was performing her flawless mixes, she held up her lighter, and the crowd held up their lighters just like at a rock concert, saluting each other. After two exciting hours workin' it on the wheels of steel, DJ Rap had left the building.
At the relatively young age of 30, DJ Rap, otherwise known as Charissa Saverio, has established herself as one of the premier drum 'n' bass and jungle DJ's in the world, as well as establishing herself as a respected producer, engineer, record label owner, and most recently, as a ground breaking singer/songwriter with the release of "Learning Curve," her highly anticipated new album. "She's tops!" insisted David Steele, from "The Zone 1999," a UK dance music "webzine." His opinion is shared with the producers of the major motion picture "GO" which features DJ Rap's hit single "Good To Be Alive" on the soundtrack. It's the final song you'll hear in the movie, perhaps saving the best for last? At the very least, it's worth hanging around the theater to hear it!
Although DJ Rap was born in Singapore, and her mother's half Malaysian and half Irish, while her father is Italian, she feels English, and currently calls London her home. Her step father managed luxury hotels, and as a result, she lived all over the world. DJ Rap never envisioned becoming skilled on "the one's and two's" because while growing up, all she ever knew (and loved) was classical music. Her passion for music resulted in her mastery of the piano. As a teen, the family wound up in Southampton, England, where she heard pop music for the first time. Finally getting out on her own, DJ Rap discovered the rave scene, which changed her life forever. Giving up her job in the legal field as a solicitor, she discovered her bliss, and calling, from that point forward. It would be in the UK's emerging dance music scene!
"Learning Curve" showcases DJ Rap's versatile talents. Signed to Sony's Higher Ground, her album offers a stunning mix of her own uplifting vocals, accompanied by elements of ambient, drum 'n' bass, hardcore, and her own live band. It's as though DJ Rap grabs your hand, and takes you on a trip into her world. She invites you in, through her gripping song writing, and she audibly creates the feel behind those words, with a varying selection of musical styles for each song. It's definitely a trip worth taking!
The following is DMA's Q & A with DJ Rap, who was on the go, calling from her mobile phone while navigating the streets of London in her BMW.
DMA: Where are you right now?
Rap: I'm driving around East London somewhere. I'm on my way to my agent's at the moment.
DMA: How did you get started Dj'ing?
Rap: I started raving and getting into the scene around 1988, and basically I just raved and partied and just got into the music... I was interested in the music, and I just started to DJ because I made a record, and I wanted to promote that record, and the best way I thought would be to go on a pirate radio station. And that's what I did. So I went on a pirate radio station, and promoted my record, and got into DJ'ing that way really.
DMA: You learned how to beat mix live on the air?!
Rap: It's the best way to learn incidentally, and the only way I could, because I couldn't afford my own decks, so you know, that was where the decks were, so that's where I had to learn!
DMA: Why did you decide to make your own album?
Rap: Why not? I mean I can produce, engineer, sing, why not do it? When I started doing this, to be honest with you, I didn't want to just be another female spinning. I wanted to be able to do everything that the boys could do, and I saw no reason why not. And they were nothing but supportive to me, so to me it was just a natural progression. It's like, why just stop there? Take it all the way! I'm like that, if there's something I'm interested in doing, then I do it properly, and I get all the way involved in it. I don't just see the point in stopping. It's just I think I got a bit bored with it. It was all becoming a bit too easy, it's very easy doing what I do... well easy is the wrong word, but I suppose when you've achieved everything you've wanted to achieve, you sort of look for new challenges. And that's the sort of person I am. I'm like 'OK, I've done this, I've done this, I've done this, what can I do now?' I was getting a bit bored of it, and because I've got the record deal now, I've got a thousand more f*cking problems than I've ever had, and I guess that makes me happy! (laughs) In a sick kind of way. Do you know what I mean? I've got a million things to do, and that is when I work best... under pressure, with the phone ringing constantly, and people doing my head in. So I don't know... I'm sick like that. It kind of makes me realize how good I have it though. Put it that way.
DMA: Does the album title "Learning Curve" have any special meaning?
Rap: Yeah it does, totally. I mean, the reason I chose that title is because it's a learning experience. It's new, it's totally what the title says. It is a new thing for me to do, and I also believe that it's all about circles. Everything always goes back to where it started from anyway, in the end. It's exactly how I feel about it. It's a new experience for me, and that is what it's all about anyway. New experiences.
DMA: How did you get your DJ name?
Rap: A long time ago, when I first started, before DJ's were superstars and all that bother, people would play in pubs, and small gigs, and get on the mike as well. And I used to get on the mike and rap! Before doing DJ'ing, I used to send my demos off, and I didn't want anybody to judge my demos in a sexist way. So when people got a demo from DJ Rap, they didn't think I was a female for one, and they just listened to the demo for the music. But I used to play a lot of hip hop breaks underneath my euro and house. In those days there was no jungle, it was just house. And I was one of the first DJ's to actually introduce breakbeat underneath house records, which was new in those days, which is why I got the name Rap!
DMA: I met some women in Austin who said they're friends of yours...
Rap: You know what, I don't have many friends. You have a lot of associates, but a lot of people make out like they know you, and they don't know you at all. They know f*ck all about you. They'd just like to be your friend, you know what I mean? But I consider myself very lucky that I have probably a handful of what I call really genuine friends. And everybody else I just know. The DJ's are my closest friends. They're my boys, man!
DMA: Do you find it harder to accomplish things being a woman in such a male dominated profession?
Rap: No, I don't think so really. My whole point is this: let's not make a fuss about whether I'm female or male. But the point is, a lot of females don't engineer, produce, and do all their own sh*t. And it's like, I'm trying to make a point that it's not that hard. I mean there are some times that I get pissed off when it gets sexist, but I try to just say to myself, 'well at the same time there's lots of things that I gain by being female.' So there's good and there's bad, and there's sexism everywhere. As well as racism and ageism. But I wouldn't say it's been necessarily hard. I'd say there's been some aspects of it that were difficult, but also some aspects that have been easier.
DMA: Who were your greatest inspirations?
Rap: Probably just the people in the scene around me. Like Roni Craft, Groove, all the people who are in this scene collectively inspire me, I'd have to say. Everybody in the scene. There's no great heroes that inspire me, it's just I get my own inspirations from myself. But definitely a lot from this scene.
DMA: Do you notice any difference between the scenes in America and the UK?
Rap: I don't think they're that different. It's pretty much the same all over the world. People understand this music, it's as simple as that. And for me, whether I'm DJ'ing in the UK or America or Singapore or Africa, it doesn't make any difference. It's the same thing. They're enthusiastic, and they dance! And that's all they care about... people just getting it and loving it. I don't think that changes anywhere else. I think people dance differently in different countries, but that's not really important, is it? What is important is whether they understand it, and love the music, and get the passion of it. And I think they do. I mean you go to Canada, you think you're in England, with the way they rave. And you go to Germany, and it's just as good. Or wherever you go. So as far as I'm concerned, it's great everywhere. I'm a global sister!
DMA: Why did you decide to start your own labels (Proper Talent and Low Key)?
Rap: Because I'm fed up with making money for everyone else! I've sold 80,000 records before I even signed a deal, so I have a successful label, and that is my baby. And I've had that label for seven years now. I have in fact two labels, so of course I'm going to make my own records and put them out on my labels, because I want to earn money from it, and I got fed up with making huge hits for people, and getting crap money, and they're getting all the money. And also it means I can put what the hell I want out, when I want, without anyone telling me what to do, and I'm my own boss. So if the sh*t sinks it's my own fault and I don't shout at anyone else! But it doesn't sink... it floats. That's why I wasn't interested in signing jungle to a major label. It was just not anything I wanted to do. It's like, 'I'm doing songs and that's it, but you can't have any part of my jungle, because that's what I do, and that's mine.'
DMA: What is your favorite radio station back at home in the UK?
Rap: Virgin, because they play lots of like... bands and it's not such a playlist thing. It's more rock and roll, it's more music. I don't know, they just play a really different selection. I can put Virgin on, and I know I'm going to hear different records every hour of the day, whereas a lot of the other stations, f*ck who needs to hear a certain record 40 times a day?! It's boring.
DMA: What do you think of American radio?
Rap: They talk far too much. They don't play enough music, and just chat. I hate that, it drives me nuts! The same as with your TV adverts. Your TV adverts drive me insane as well. It's like every f*cking five minutes, you cut the program and put on a bloody TV advert for Taco Bell! 'Yo quiero Taco Bell, man!' But you journalists are much nicer. And the press is much nicer, I have to say. And people are much more... you know the interviews are more serious, they're about music, and I really enjoy talking to the press in America, because I know I'm not going to get f*cked over, which is nice. The press here in the UK is just horrible!
DMA: Why do you sometimes incorporate live MC's into your sets?
Rap: I think sometimes it can be great. If they know what they're doing, it can be a really good thing. And if they don't know what they're doing, then it's sh*t, and then I just pull the leads out and don't let them talk! So it totally depends. I personally don't mind at all, if they're a really good MC, and knows how to hype the crowd, that's great. But I personally feel that I can hype the crowd with or without an MC. That's my job. But when you've got a good MC, it's wonderful because you can have a real laugh with them, and they know when to talk, they know when to shut up, and it's nice.
DMA: Do you see yourself as a role model?
Rap: No, not really. I see myself as a role model probably if there's a girl out there who's thinking 'well do I want to be a doctor or lawyer?' Now maybe she has another choice. You know, she can now be a DJ! And it's great income, and it's a great way to live. Maybe in that way I've helped a few people, but no I don't really look at myself as a role model. You don't walk around saying 'I'm a role model.' (laughs) I don't really think of it like that. I just think it's nice, because a lot of females are now doing DJ'ing, and I think it's great.
DMA: What plans do you have for the future?
Rap: I don't look at the future. I just think about today, and that's as much as I can deal with really. I've learned very much in a way to just do that. Be a lot calmer, and think strictly about what's going on today. I don't think it's a good idea to just sit there and worry about your future. You could be dead tomorrow. So as far as I'm concerned, it's think about today, make today the best, productive day I can, and I believe strongly in the five P's, which is Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance! And just try and be happy. That's all I care about. I don't really care whether I'm successful or not. I don't give a f*ck whether the album sells or not. I just care that I'm happy. And if I'm making music, I am happy. That's all it takes. So Jerry Springer, making music, that's it really. I don't need a lot to be happy. So you know that's how it is for me, I don't really care about the fame thing. I'm not interested in material wealth. I'm not interested in people kissing ass with me all day long. I'm not interested in that. I'm not interested in that side of it. What I am interested in, is jamming with my band, making music and doing shows, and that's what I want to do. And that is why I'm doing all of this. I don't really care about the rest of it, but it would be nice to sell a lot of records, so that I can go and do shows to packed audiences. I'd love to do that. And that's what I think would be great, because I've played in front of 50,000 to 100,000 people DJ'ing, and it's the most awesome feeling, whether you're DJ'ing in front of two people or 50,000. And I've only done a couple of shows and they were great. I really enjoyed it.
DMA: Will you be touring with the band in support of your new album?
Rap: I've been already, and I'm coming to America soon. So watch out!
DMA: Do you have any of your own mixes available?
Rap: I was just thinking of doing one with Sony, so that they can distribute a mix tape for me. We're talking about that now, because I actually don't do them. We are thinking of doing that. I just normally let people tape me. I always say to people, 'if you want to tape me go ahead,' because I don't care. I haven't got a problem with it at all. But some people, they don't like that, you know? But me, I don't have a problem with it!
DMA: Do you have any advice you'd like to share with the readers?
Rap: If you want a great life doing music, I suggest DJ'ing is a great way to do it. And get a little bit of equipment, and open up a label, and sound pure and stuff. But record deals are an incredible amount of work, and it's just not what people think it is. For me, the only reason I have a record deal is because I want to do shows, and all of that stuff costs a lot of money! But I just say to people it's a great way to live, to open up a little label, put out your own music, and just do it. So do what you want, but it's a great way to live. It's a good thing to do. I think the secret to happiness is keep things simple. And right now my life's awfully complicated! But at the same time I'm very rooted in it, it's simple for me. It's just about music, and that's it. And I get depressed when I don't get a chance to do any music and stuff, so my advice is just do what makes you happy, and that's what I do. I've already got my own money, I don't need any more money. I just need to be doing music, that's it. That's what it's about. I'm not one of these people who need a lot of money to live. I just need enough money to buy equipment, and that sort of thing. So I live week to week. I'm quite cool with that. I've got pensions and things like that. Do I look after my future? Of course! At the end of the day, I'm not money motivated, and that's probably why I always have it. I've noticed that about me. People who always want money, never have it. And people who are just happy to live, always have it. It's quite mad!
DMA: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Rap: Just the people who've heard that I've stopped DJ'ing, that's bullsh*t. I have a jungle CD coming out with everybody on the scene this year. I'm doing this album with Kenny Ken. So I'll have a jungle album out, I have tours going on, I have a live show going on, and you know, I'm still DJ'ing all the time, and have no intentions of giving that up. So if you could just squash that rumor, it would be very much appreciated!
The boundary smashing DJ Rap doesn't see problems, only opportunities. She doesn't buy into the notion of "girl power" as much as "human power," and if a few more women become inspired to get into DJ'ing, producing, and starting their own record labels, like the boys do, then she'll feel a certain satisfaction. Trail blazers have a way of making positive changes, and at the end of the day, we all benefit. DJ Rap is very focused and determined, and if others follow her lead to become successes in their own right, it will be like music to her ears. Cheers!
Special thanks to Neil Lawi at Columbia for arranging this interview, and to Noah at Ark Entertainment in Austin for his generous help at SXSW. Visit Rap on the web at http://www.djrap.com, the UK's "The Zone 1999" at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/david_steele/home.htm, and vote for DJ Rap at http://www.thedjlist.com
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