DJ Rap began her DJ career after being inspired by the 'new style' Breakbeat music of her early nineties - she patiently practiced her mixing using a minimal amount of equipment when her efforts eventually resulted in her playing slots on various pirate radio stations in the London area.   At this time Rap was a 'Hardened Raver' regularly attending events and clubs nationwide - her inevitable big break came when she just happened to be in the right place at the right time - a DJ had been booked to play but hadn't turned up so she dared the promoter to let her play  the vacant slot.  Needless to say it went down very well and the rest, as they say, is history....

Rap Interview

After a decade of delivering hardcore, then drum n’ bass, to rapturous rave crowds across the globe, DJ Rap has finally spread her wings, triumphantly presenting to the world the full extent of her creativity. Her debut artist album, ‘Learning Curve’, effortlessly swings from the more traditional jump up style that she plays out at all the major events, including World Dance, United Dance, Helter Skelter and Dreamscape, to trip hop ambience, and the rough big beats of her first single from the album, ‘Bad Girl. Stories From Around The World’ delves into a whole range of sounds and feelings, ranging from ethnic spirituality, to urban chic. Meanwhile, ‘Spiritual Aura’ immerses her earlier jungle sound in orchestral melody and drama, taking the specialist jump up dance culture out to the wider public.

Born in Singapore and with an Italian father and Irish Malaysian mother, DJ Rap was brought up all over the world. But despite being raised in the tropical beauty surrounding the two luxury hotels her father managed, Rap did not have a very happy childhood. Her family returned to England when she was 12. Two years later, she fled home and spent her teenage years living on the streets initially, and then in various different squats.

In order to make some money, DJ Rap decided to become a page 3 girl. Then she took time out to backpack through Greece, Turkey and Europe. Returning home for the second time, Rap was intent on joining a legal firm, with ambitions of going on to be a lawyer. But then some of her friends invited her to a rave and her whole outlook on life changed. That one all night party shaped the life of the Bad Girl we know today – the woman we know as DJ Rap, the jump up jungle Queen.

What do you remember about the first rave?
“I didn’t even want to go at the time. I thought my squat friends were a bit mental, and I was sure I’d hate it. But they finally managed to convince me. I can remember walking inside, and the main thing that struck me was how nobody was getting chatted up. It was the first time I’d ever been anywhere where the people were purely into the music. I went to the ladies where there was a group of black girls singing ‘If You Love Me Give Me A Sign’, which was a really cool record in those days. I thought there might be some trouble. Instead, they grabbed me and hugged me and made me dance with them. I thought, ‘Wow! Why is everyone being so nice to me?!’ It was such a difference experience for me. It was like looking at the world as it should be. As soon as I went home, I left my boyfriend and decided it was time to take control of my own life”.

How did you eventually break into the DJing world?
“I started buying lots of records but I still didn’t think of it as a serious career. Then I met a producer called Jeff B and we did a track, ‘Ambience – The Adored’, together. I promoted the record by going on a few pirate radio stations. I met Coolhand Flex at East London’s Rave Fm and he taught me to mix. One night I was at a hardcore party in the Astoria. Fabio was scheduled to play but couldn’t make it. When the promoter asked me what I thought of the night, I told him that the decks were Fisher Price, the DJs were crap, and that I should be playing. He just looked at me and asked me if I thought I was good enough. Then he offered me Fabio’s slot of £30”.

Do you plan to PA as Rap, the artist?
“Yeah, I start rehearsing this September. Next year, I’ll play at the big concerts and festivals. The whole point of my album is to be able to take it out as a show and do it live”.

Rap the artist is very sexy and feisty, whereas Rap the DJ is more of a tomboy. Do the two roles sit comfortably with you?
“Yes. I never bother to put make-up on when I’m DJing because it’s so hot in most of the venues, and I just get all sweaty. But when I’m not DJing, I like to make an effort”.

So you didn’t deliberately avoid wearing make-up and skimpy clothes in a bid to ensure that the male promoters and DJs you mainly had to deal with took you more seriously?
“No, not at all. When I’m DJing, I wear hip hop clothes. I dress completely differently because it’s another persona. There’s never just one side to a person. People are full of different feelings and one person has many corners”.

But do you think men perceive you as a bimbo if you have blonde hair and use you looks to get on in life?
“Yeah. But a lot of women think this way as well. It’s not just a male thing. And a lot of women do that to themselves, look at Pandora Peaks. Okay, she’s had a boob job and she’s happy with what she’s doing. I’m glad she’s happy, but she’s not going to be taken seriously, is she? When I was a page 3 girl I wasn’t taken seriously. I had no intentions of being taken seriously. For me, it was only a temporary job to get a bit of cash. That was it”.

Doesn’t it bother you that people keep asking you about your page 3 work?
“Course it bothers me! Why is it so important? I was only 14 and now I’m 29. But I don’t get really angry about it because I know I am taken seriously now, through my music. And that’s all that matters”.

Do you regret being a page 3 model?
“There’s no point in regretting anything you’ve done in the past because you can’t change it. However, put it this way, if I had a daughter, I would do everything to discourage her from page 3 modelling. When you’re 14 to 21, you think you know it all, and you just don’t. What annoys me is that I’ve made lots of people happy through my music and I’ve sold 80,000 records, but that makes no difference to some people. All they want to know about is that I got my top off once. I’m not the same girl as I was when I was 14. I’ve matured and I’m much more in control of my life now. I know where I’m going and I’m focused towards those goals”.

What do you feel is the most significant song on your album, Learning Curve?
“It has to be Bad Girl because it’s a real statement. It’s song about women who are for themselves. Society perceives women who are ambitious and who are trying to be as confident as men, as bad girls. For instance, most people don’t really approve of women like Madonna and Demi Moore. But I admire them. As far as I’m concerned, if bad girls go to hell, then I’ll see you all there”!

DJ Raps links to Fantazia

DJ Rap appeared on the Fantazia album Jungle Collection.

A copy can be bought here