Over her 15-year career, DJ Rap has moved effortlessly between genres, staking her claim on various styles within the electronic spectrum, while simultaneously pushing the limits of rock and pop. The First Lady of Drum ʻnʼ Bass and the undisputed Queen of the Turntables, her music has infiltrated club systems and car stereos worldwide, and her numerous forays into video game and motion picture soundtracks have solidified her pedigree as one dance musicʼs most successful and prolific artists.
With three studio albums, 75 mix compilations and over 2,000,000 in cumulative worldwide sales to her name, what makes you think sheʼd stop now?
In May 2010, DJ Rap will release Synthesis (Ministry of Sound), a brand new studio album that weaves together a full compliment of synthetic textures and organic moods, and paints a lucid picture of her journey as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Powerful, melodic and immaculately produced, Synthesisis a return to the hybridization of styles she brought forward on Learning Curve (Sony), her 1999 debut that had magazines like Rolling Stone and Ray Gun heralding her arrival into the mainstream. The albumʼs first single, “Give It All Away,” will be released November 2009.
“This goes deeper than just a dance record,” says Rap, inspired by a wide range of artists, from Pink Floyd to Mutemath. “This album is a soundtrack to my life and what Iʼve been going through.”
Though itʼs been three years in the making, Synthesis represents merely one facet of Rapʼs diversified portfolio. Her drum ʻnʼ bass and breakbeat imprint,Propa Talent, has released over 200 tracks since its inception in 1994, and has become one of the genreʼs most respected and well known labels. With its relaunch this year, Propa Talent once again returns to the spotlight, offering up new releases from artists like Nebula, Killinʼ Time, Mark Campbell, DJ CJ, Mezo and Kyshido. Meanwhile, Impropa Talent, founded in 2008, catalogues Rapʼs ongoing love affair with house music, and features the work of established producers like Mike Hiratzka, as well as up-and-comers like Tyler Revata and K-OBA. As owner, manager and A&R for both labels, Rap has been busy cultivating fresh new talent that youʼre sure to be hearing from in the near future. And thatʼs just the beginning.
In 2010, Rap will again reshape the landscape with Metasyn, a ferocious new D&B project with producer and vocalist Chemical Hero. A complete sensory blitzkrieg, the Metasyn experience will transform everyoneʼs preconceptions of what live drum ʻnʼ bass can be.
“This isnʼt going to be some cute chick making pretty music,” she laughs. “Youʼre in for one hell of a ride!”
