My first glimpse of DJ RAP was the promo stickers given out for her single Bad Girl off of her latest release Learning Curve. There sat a gorgeous blonde, headphones on and in a euphoric state. Close by were several people admiring a poster of the same picture.
(I had briefly heard the song Bad Girl play on the radio but I was going through my Hole phrase and if it wasn't Hole playing, I wasn't listening.)
There seemed to be a debate over who was in the photo by those who watched as someone posted the poster on the wall. One person said it was a Swedish model and another said it was an Olympic athlete. Other theories continued, but no one said it was the same woman who sang on the song. No one thought DJ Rap and the supposed model were the same.
After all, girls don't DJ, right?
Singapore in 1969 was the birthplace of Charissa Saverio. Born to an Italian father and Irish-Malaysian mother, Charissa became an exotic traveler at an early age. She stayed in Indonesia, Africa and even saw the sites of Shangri La as her father worked in the hotel business. As she experienced new surroundings, she developed a passion for the piano and horse-back riding, though being a pianist enthused her more then being a jockey.
In her early teens, Charissa migrated to England and discovered she enjoyed the new sounds of pop over her typical classical music she was raised on. She finished her schooling and took her unique beauty on a modeling career for a few years. Finding a need to travel again, she headed out to backpack through Europe, Greece and Turkey, then returned back to England to work with a law firm. It seemed she was to live a typical life.
Then came a fateful day that she finally found herself fed up with her current boyfriend.
To cheer her up, her friends invited Charissa to a rave. So profound was the experience that she returned home, dumped her boyfriend, quit her job and started to form an identity as DJ Rap.
Ambience - The Adored was a collaborated effort with a new producer Jeff B. DJ Rap used her musical background to lay down the melody. It was a success on the rave scene. Encouraged, she continued to practice and find gigs to play at.
Then one night gave her the biggest break.
Popular DJ Fabio did not show up for his performance at the Astoria. The promoter turned to DJ Rap and asked her what she thought. She confidently told him the equipment and current DJ just weren't good. Instead of getting upset, the promoter asked her if she could do better. She said yes and was pushed to the main stage, performing in the place of Fabio.
In 1993, DJ Rap was the first female DJ to play at all the major raves. Her growing popularity and success prompted her to start her own label Proper Talent and released her debut Intelligence. She worked as the songwriter, producer and vocalist for that release and also started to nurture other budding producers with another label, Low Key Recordings. Then came a major label deal with Higher Ground Records which released Learning Curve, with the singles Bad Girl and Good to be Alive.
DJ Rap's popularity continues to grow in the music industry and she also inspires other women who prefer to be the DJ instead of the girls that dance next to one.
Her existence is important as she also gives a pro-girl attitude in her lyrics, such as this Bad Girl line, "Respect my body because that's where you came from".
Speaking of respecting girls' bodies... make sure you're not Body Trapped!
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Rap Official Site DJ Rap US Site Websites for Girl DJs: Girls On Wax Rollers Redefined Sister Female DJ Collective Forest Green |
How much do YOU know about Girls in Electronica and Dance Music? Take Girl Zone's Quiz and find out!
The Girls in Electronica and Dance Music Quiz
1. Sonique's new album is called?
2. Moloko's song Fun For Me appeared on what Soundtrack?
3. Vitamin C 's old band was named?
4. Alice Deejay of the album Who Needs Guitars Anyway? plays in what club?
5. Betty Boo, an early girl DJ, took her name from what kind of character?