DJ Rap

Charissa Saverio, also known as DJ Rap, has been the undisputed queen of the hardcore and drum and bass turntables for the last eight years. A label owner, producer, recording artist and world-renowned DJ, East Londons DJ Rap stands alongside the likes of DJs Hype, Grooverider and LTJ Bukem as one of the few, and only female, pioneers of drum and bass.

Pulling favors to learn the technical ropes and cashing in on her childhood musical education, Charissa put together her debut single entitled “Ambience: the Adored” with producer Jeff B in 1990. The combination of a guerilla campaign at pirate radio and the support of legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold in Ibiza helped the record break the national chart in the UK with sales exceeding 40,000 copies. Two more successful singles followed.

Around the same time, her urge to DJ began to take shape. After cutting her teeth at Rave FM, she graduated to a regular slot at Fantasy - widely regarded as Londons leading house and techno pirate station at the time. After snagging increasingly high profile gigs, she returned to the producer’s chair. Successful early collaborations precipitated her decision to produce, engineer and release her own material. In 1994, DJ Rap established her own label, Proper Talent.

The breadth of her projects with Proper Talent paved the way for a major record deal. She signed with Sonys Higher Ground imprint in 1997, also home to Leftfield and Grooverider. “Learning Curve,” her self-penned and produced debut for Sony, was released to widespread critical acclaim in 1998, fusing pop sensibilities with an underground production ethic

This year she celebrates the first decade of her career, and the re-launch of her imprint Proper Talent, with the release of the mix compilation “Propa Classics - Vol 1.” The album features two exclusive new tracks and thirteen of the best dance-floor anthems that forged her reputation as the “first lady of jungle.”

Charissa uses M-Audio’s Duo, Oxygen 8, and Studiophile SP-5B studio monitors.