DJ Rap

DJ Rap is a trailblazer of UK drum & bass, a producer, DJ, and vocalist whose work has helped define the sound and energy of the genre for over three decades. Born Charissa Saverio in Singapore and raised across multiple countries, she settled in England as a teen, where a love of electronic music and early experience on pirate radio set the stage for her groundbreaking career.

Breaking into a male-dominated scene, DJ Rap became one of the first prominent female DJs in London’s late-’80s and early-’90s rave scene, helping to shape the emerging jungle sound. Her early productions fused rolling breakbeats with deep basslines and atmospheric textures, laying the foundation for the tech-step and jungle styles that would follow. She also became the first woman to run her own drum & bass label, Propa Talent, releasing her seminal album Intelligence, widely regarded as a milestone in the genre.

As a DJ, Rap is renowned for her precision, energy, and ability to move a crowd, whether performing in the UK, Europe, or internationally. She further cemented her influence through innovative mix albums like Journeys Through the Land of Drum & Bass and collaborations with artists across electronica, from BT to Kenny Ken, continually pushing the genre’s boundaries.

Her later work returned to the high-energy, instrumentally-driven jungle roots of her early career, combining inventive production with melodic sensibilities while retaining the raw power of drum & bass. DJ Rap’s career spans live performance, production, label management, and advocacy, making her one of the most influential and respected figures in electronic music.

Essential Tracks & Releases:
🎧 DJ Rap – Intelligence
🎧 DJ Rap – Spiritual Aura
🎧 DJ Rap – Hardstep
🎧 DJ Rap & Kenny Ken – Brave New World
🎧 DJ Rap – Touching Bass

Innovator. Leader. Pioneer. DJ Rap continues to inspire generations of drum & bass fans and artists worldwide.