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B i o g r a p h y
(by John Bush)
Before
emerging from the drum'n'bass underground for a major-label recording
contract in 1997, DJ Rap was long one of the best mixers in the business,
as well as one of jungle's best (if understated) producers. Born Charissa
Saverio in Singapore, she spent her childhood living in various exotic
locales around the world (her stepfather was a luxury-hotel manager)
before settling in Southampton, England, as a teenager. While studying to
be a solicitor, Saverio became involved with the British rave scene and
soon graduated from club kid to working as a producer and mixer. Among her
first released tracks was 1990's underground breakbeat favorite "The
Adored" (as Ambience), recorded with Jeff B. and released on Raw Bass
Records. She learned how to mix while promoting a record on the East
London pirate station Rave FM and made her reputation a few years later
after standing in for Fabio for a last-minute slot at the Astoria. Rap
continued to produce and launched several hardcore/jungle classics of the
early '90s, including Engineers Without Fears' "Spiritual Aura," recorded
with Aston Harvey (later of the Sol Brothers and Freestylers). DJ Rap
formed her own mixing agency, spinning it into the Proper Talent record
label as well. Signed to Sony's Higher Ground subsidiary in 1997, she
released her first album, Learning Curve, two years later. The mix album
Brave New World (a co-headlining gig with Kenny Ken) followed in 2000, and
the combination mix-album/production-collection Propa Classics appeared
one year later. Rap's next CD release was another mix album, the
double-disc set Touching Bass on Surge. She returned in 2005 with
Bulletproof, yet another mix album, however this one boasting a half-dozen
new productions amid the mix.
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