Selections: Tiffany Calver

Tiffany Calver’s landmark four-year run on the Radio 1 Rap Show established her as a DJ at the top of the rap game. Alongside showcasing her passion and knowledge on the airwaves, she’s toured with Drake, hosted club nights with Little Simz and AJ Tracey, and launched her No Requests label, putting out music by Bandokay, Curtis J and more.

But since leaving the Rap Show last year to launch her own 1Xtra programme, The Tiffany Calver Show, she’s proven her talents and tastes extend into almost every corner of electronic music too. Through her shows and DJ sets she joins the dots between Afrobeats and UK funky, amapiano and Jersey club, UKG and R&B, and much more. Harnessing mashups, edits and her own skills on the decks, she’s crafted an energetic, hybrid sound that celebrates Black music from across the spectrum, and is an ideal fit for modern anything-goes dancefloors. Catch her in action on 1Xtra every Friday from 9-11pm or at one of her No Requests parties or other gigs; but for a sample of what to expect, here are her Selections.

“I first heard this one thanks to Kikelomo, an incredible DJ and co-founder of Accra-based community radio station Oroko Radio. She did a guest mix on my radio show and albeit a 10-minute mix, I was genuinely jaw-to-the-floor throughout. Best cut-up of a Snoop Dogg vocal ever! The bass. The Jersey club elements. Tick tick tick.”

“This one gets me ridiculously in the mood for Notting Hill Carnival. It’s equal parts rooted in Caribbean culture as much as it embodies the feeling of London thanks to the funky mashup Manalang sprinkled over it, bringing DJ Polo, DJ Hotty and Yung Bredda together. This would go mad on the Deviation stage. Benji B, book me man! I am counting down the days until I can spin this one on August Bank Holiday.”

“What a link up. I’ve been a Hudmo fan since I was in school and Nikki Nair is someone I recently started to spin after launching my new radio show. His production is jam-packed with hype and I have so much fun matching the footwork energy with rap records. This one is a must-have for any DJ’s collection.”

“First off, who doesn’t love a free download on SoundCloud? Shaking did something to my spirit with this dub and I was lucky enough to hear it being played on the big speakers in Manchester for Nia Archives’ Up Ya Archives event for Warehouse Project. When it was coming in, I haven’t had that “OH MY GOD” moment in ages. Glad the rest of the crowd agreed. It went off!”

“There aren’t really any words necessary for this one. The fact that there aren’t any vocals and yet it can sit up there with some of the heavyweights for one of the best drops of the year so far says enough. Pure emotion. Pure moody bass joy. I’m a simple girl. Joy Orbison drops. I buy.”

“Because everybody loves a familiar face in the dance and Oppidan just makes the musical reunion with your old sonic friend 10 million times better. She’s probably the most reliable source right now for fail-proof, fun dubs to play.”

“The whole release almost time warps me back to the days when I first discovered Soulection and the ethereal magic of what an edit of a classic record could do to you. So many standouts on here for me. Light a bit of palo santo on a Sunday, clean the yard and have a little dance to these.”

“I have been so obsessed with digging deeper into collecting great amapiano and gqom records that aren’t so well-known or mainstream, and thankfully Mxshi Mo linking up with Hagan to give us this release gives me everything I needed. I can’t stop playing it. Such a great find!”

“The perfect link-up of classic records but with that Bok Bok punch and flavour. Can’t go wrong!”

“Now I know a thing or two about discovering and championing rappers on the come-up. I’m telling you, this guy is special! Recently connected with him because I’m working on my own project this year and he’s so sick. I love the new generation of UK rap coming through and not colouring in the lines. Making it their own. Pushing things forward. Take him in.”