DJ Rap - Elevation - Revenge of the Punter - Apr 1993 - Part 2

Biography of DJ Rap

For years, DJ RAP?s fans have been eagerly anticipating her new drum & bass album. Now their wishes are about to be fulfilled as the First Lady of Jungle is set to storm America with 'BULLETPROOF', due for release in May 2005. Always an innovator, DJ RAP dares to break down barriers by pulling elements of rock, trance, and house into the drum & bass format. On BULLETPROOF, DJ RAP delivers a blistering mix of 10 hard hitting tracks in a hybrid artist album/compilation format that features 6 brand new original DJ RAP productions and 2 new DJ RAP remixes of tracks by Ferry Corsten and Erick Morillo, alongside drum & bass favorites from Konflict and Concord Dawn.

DJ RAP has been the undisputed queen of the turntables and the number one female DJ in the world, simultaneously a label owner,producer, and recording artist. She has been a prime mover, the prime female mover in fact, on the jungle and drum & bass scene. Six years ago her first album, LEARNING CURVE, was released on Sony in the UK and on Columbia Records in the USA and ended up selling hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. She has many seminal dance classics to her credit, with several mix compilation CDs, and upwards of 20 releases on her own drum & bass imprint, PROPER TALENT.

Born Charissa Saverio to an Italian father and an Irish-Malaysian mother in Singapore, DJ RAP spent her childhood traveling the world -Indonesia, Malta and Africa were all home for a while. Her stepfather managed luxury hotels and she grew up living in the palatial surroundings of Raffles in Shangri La. As a child her two loves were playing piano and horse-riding. She'd practice the piano six hours a day and spend the rest of her time in the stables dreaming of being a pianist. When the family moved to Southampton, England in her early teens, she discovered pop music for the first time and after leaving school took time out to travel the world, backpacking through Greece, Turkey and Europe. She eventually returned to London and joined a legal firm, first as a secretary, then training to become a lawyer. Her life, for the first time in years, seemed to be following a normal, everyday course. It was from this bliss that Charissa morphed into DJ RAP. 'She ditched her job, kicked out her difficult boyfriend and discovered raves.'

Following the success of her major label debut during a television show, CALVIN KLEIN approached her backstage where he personally offered her a chance to become a Calvin Klein model for the DIRTY DENIM campaign. The campaign was released in 2002 worldwide to much acclaim. This would also lead to a CATERPILLAR billboard campaign in Europe. In 2003 TWIX was getting ready to put in place an 8 million dollar campaign to reach out to a new generation. DJ RAP was chosen to represent TWIX and not only starred, but also produced the music for the commercial, which has since been nominated at the Dancestar awards.

DJ RAP was also the first female artist to ever be sponsored by PLAYSTATION and has also done music for a number of their games. She recently composed a promotional track for the launch of NINTENDO DS and performed at the launch event in Hollywood. Finally, she celebrated the first ten years of her career by compiling and mixing a CD of classic house tracks to form part of the double-CD compilation 'Chemistry' which was released by ARMANI EXCHANGE in October 2004, followed by an A|X tour in support of the album.

DJ RAP has appeared and been the cover girl for numerous national and international newspapers and magazines, including the national cover for the Weekly Calendar. She is experienced in front of the camera and has been involved as a host and guest on many talk shows, variety shows and award shows. DJ RAP has appeared in five of her own music videos as well as co-starred with the artist BT in two of his music videos.

'I can remember when my biggest dream was to be on a Raindance flyer,' she closes. 'Once I'd achieved that I found myself constantly on the look out for other things to stimulate and motivate me. From as far back as I can remember, my goal has been to sing songs to huge audiences but if someone would have asked me ten years ago that DJ-ing would open those doors for me - I wouldn't have believed it. Although I really enjoy touring and singing with the band, the best part of what I do is when I get up there and play great records - I'm a DJ at heart - I just want to get the crowd moving.'

http://www.myspace.com/therealdjrap

MC MC - Elevation - Revenge of the Punter - Apr 1993 - Part 2

Biography of MC MC

MCMC was born in Mauritius and raised in East London, the youngest of 8 kids. He started his career as most of the great MC’s in UK by toasting on reggae instrumentals at various house parties and dancehalls around London in turn gathering quite a large a following. This motivated MCMC to join the new phenomenon sweeping the nation “RAVE”, leading him to host the biggest electronic dance events across the UK, sharing the bill and stage with THE PRODIGY, SL2, CARL COX, GROOVERIDER, HYPE & many more of the innovators of today’s electronic dance culture. As an innovator himself he dominated this era and help create the persona of today’s D&B MC. Being one to notice raw talent, MCMC took an unknown MC under his wing who went on to became the most revolutionary and now legendary D&B MC ever to have lived STEVIE HYPER D.

MCMC experience and passion has seen him hold the position as an official ambassador and spokesperson for the PRS (Performing Rights Society) and MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society), promoting awareness of copyright issues among the UK dance music industry and keeping MCPS/PRS informed of the latest developments in club land. MCMC s songwriting ability, charisma, and talent were recognized as valuable assets by London s Stage One Annual Children’s Performing Workshop. This heartfelt, non-profit organization hoisted MCMC to Head Tutor. In this position, he oversaw the staff tutors programs and helped mold the effectiveness of all student/teacher relationships. Moreover he taught groups of 12-18 year old girls and boys how to rap, write songs and choreograph dance routines, stage etiquette, mike projection, and flyer design. With the close of each six week session the group of students would culminate their efforts with a highly entertaining, original talent show. MCMC quotes this experience as “The most important and rewarding job I have ever had”

MCMC is one of the original ambassadors of Old School and Drum & Bass with over 17 years experience performing to audiences World Wide globally bringing the music to previously unexplored territories such as Yugoslavia and Czech Republic. Proudly from East London but now residing in Hollywood, Los Angeles California MCMC has not only become a regular on the microphone at the best stateside events such as BASSRUSH, MONSTER MASSIVE, RESPECT and many more, he is also recognized as one of the most successful D&B promoters in LA History.

In 2003 MCMC launched Grapevinez, a production company based out of Los Angles, CA. In less than a year the repertoire of highly successful large Drum & Bass events took the Los Angeles D&B scene to new heights by hosting events in the epitome of Hollywood and Beverly Hills clubs such as, The Century Club, Henry Fonda Theatre and The Highlands then finally Hollywood’s largest and highly successful club Avalon where he became the Marketing Director. Grapevinez rise to such heights also lead to a co-promotion with America’s biggest and most successful promotional company The House of Blues. Grapevinez also produces “America’s Largest D&B Event” HISTORY which boasts 6 Arenas of D&B and over 65 Artists. MCMC credits this success to his years performing and entertaining crowds on stages world wide and working with a team that live for D&B.

After 2 year hiatus from the M.I.C. the originator is back and invigorated for 2008. With America, Germany and England lined up to have MCMC host their events the original D&B MC is back. Catch MCMC at a venue near you soon.