When I speak to 28-year-old DJ Tiffany Calver she looks particularly glam - on her way to play a set at the Tommy Hilfiger x Shawn Mendes launch party at Koko Camden. “Pamela Anderson’s going to be there, I’m quite excited,” she confesses. Fashion parties aren’t anything new for Calver, who is used to playing stadiums opening for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and touring with Drake too.
Whilst she initially thought she’d end up as a fashion journalist, Calver started blogging about music during her late teens, before making the move from Telford to London and teaching herself to mix whilst studying Media at Westminster. Since then she’s worked for NTS Radio, had a brief stint at Kiss FM, before landing her dream slot on BBC Radio 1Xtra’s The Rap Show. “I’m honoured to be taking over the slot that has pretty much soundtracked my life” Calver said in 2018, and after four beautiful years, she plays her final show tomorrow night. “I’ve decided I want to get a hummer limo, that’s how I’m feeling. I want to really celebrate this new era. I had such an incredible time for four years doing that show,” she tells me, truly going out with a bang.
I think there’s a running theme of joy with the records I’ve picked
Her night doesn’t stop there though. Following her final instalment of The Rap Show for 1Xtra, Calver is heading straight to Village Underground to continue the celebrations with a mammoth four hour set. Titled ‘No Requests’, the party marks the end of one chapter and is a nod to the next. “No Requests is a brand new club night that boasts no rules, or lanes to the music played. It is about sharing and showcasing the music you love without barriers. This is an event for music lovers” says Calver.
Below, Tiffany Calver gives us a glimpse at what to expect from tomorrow night, as well as the next phase of her career. “I think there’s a running theme of joy with the records I’ve picked”, she explains, describing the mood of tomorrow’s setlist. Watch this space and be sure to tune into her new slot on 1Xtra, The Tiffany Calver Show, Fridays from 9-11pm.
Tiffany Calver’s No Requests party takes place on Saturday March 25th 10pm-5am. You can get tickets here.
Listen to ES Magazine’s Friday Night Playlist here.
I Think - Tyler the Creator
“Igor is one of my favourite albums. I think Tyler the Creator is a great example of what it is to be a true, raw artist. I’ve been a fan of his since I was on Tumblr - he was rebellious and grungy. This record, for me, is an absolute favourite, the production on it is so ethereal and beautiful. It’s still very cheeky (very Tyler) but it’s about falling in love. Which is how I feel at the moment too, falling in love with djing again. I’m having a renaissance moment myself so it makes sense for me to open my set with this on Saturday.”
You’re The One - Kaytranada ft. Syd
“I’ve known and loved and supported Kaytranada for over 10 years, before I even started radio, I was a SoundCloud nerd. It’s just incredible to see his trajectory. This record is pure nostalgia, you hear Kaytranada and you just want to give everyone a hug and skip around. I want to share the emotions that I’m feeling at the moment with the crowd.”
Big Flexa - Costa Titch ft. Sdida, Alfa Kat, Man T, C’buda M & Banaba
“I think the rise of the Amapiano, South African sound has just taken over the world. For the past five years, we’ve seen the world pan and look at what’s going on in Africa, whether it’s Amapiano or Afrobeats. You can throw it in the mix at any party and everybody’s happy. This is a massive record that is bittersweet because of Costa Titch’s tragic death just a few weeks ago. It was the beginning of his career, I want to celebrate the sound of Amapiano but also his life and the potential that he had.”
Pulse Vs Flex - Lil Silva
“Lil Silva is always at the forefront of my mind when it comes to anything to do with London - especially when it comes to Notting Hill Carnival. I actually remember seeing Kaytranada and Lil Silva DJ at XOYO when I was 18, I remember being in the crowd and being in awe. Lil Silva has such an incredible, authentic London sound, you can’t go to any stage at Notting Hill Carnival without hearing Seasons, but he has so many other gems that people don’t talk about so much, this record is one of those. You can completely change the journey of your set with that one.”
Savior - Kendrick Lamar ft. Baby Keem & Sam Dew
“I really connected to Kendrick’s album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, I actually saw it in concert four times. I basically played Baby Keem’s birthday party so I’d get to go to the show! Savior for me, the way it comes in is going to be so epic on Saturday. The message too, the fact that these people are not your saviours and it all comes from within you, it’s incredible. That chorus is where I’m at right now. The reason I’m so excited about playing these five songs is because I want to show the new direction that I’m going in, things that you might not necessarily expect from me.”
