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Tiffany Calver made history at the age of 24 when she became the first female presenter of the Rap Show on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra. Her appointment sparked a wide range of reactions, with input coming from listeners, commentators, and even television figure Jeremy Clarkson. Describing herself as a “nerdy girl that liked to play music,” Tiffany shared with BBC Newsbeat that she had rarely encountered so many opinions directed at her, which at times felt overwhelming. Nevertheless, she embraced the impact she was making, noting, “That’s when you know you’re making an impact when change scares people.” She also believes that seeing a woman occupy such a role is less intimidating for audiences now than it once was.
Throughout her seven-year tenure at 1Xtra, Tiffany played a pivotal role in championing female broadcasters in genres traditionally perceived as male-dominated. Taking on the Rap Show in 2018 was a move she considered highly significant, especially given the limited number of women in similar spaces. After stepping down from hosting the Rap Show in 2023, she launched her own multi-genre program on the station, where she continued to spotlight a diverse range of musical talents. Across her career at 1Xtra, Tiffany has introduced numerous new songs and interviewed many prominent artists, marking her presence as a vital tastemaker and influencer within the music community.
One particularly memorable and emotional experience for Tiffany was interviewing US rapper Pop Smoke in 2019 during a trip to New York. Having discovered his track “Welcome to the Party” before it gained widespread fame, she was determined to connect with the artist. Tiffany recalls that they conducted the first British radio interview with him, and he even invited her to a lock-in studio session to preview his latest music. Reflecting on this, she said, “I’ll always cherish that. He was such a lovely guy and it also just proved me right like: ‘Okay, I should have this job. I’ve got a good ear’.” Like many professionals, she has grappled with imposter syndrome, but advice from US hip-hop broadcaster Angie Martinez helped her manage those feelings, emphasizing the importance of “letting the fear lead you” and building self-confidence.
As Tiffany prepared to bid farewell to 1Xtra, her final live show in December was a celebration of British talent, featuring songs submitted by musicians from across the UK. She remarked on the ever-changing landscape of British rap, praising its constant innovation and resilience. The closing show included special appearances from artists such as Tinie Tempah and Ms Banks, as well as a guest set from her father, with whom she shared a back-to-back performance and reflected on musical influences. Although her earlier work centered mainly on rap, Tiffany expressed excitement about broadening her musical scope moving forward. Looking ahead to 2026, she admitted feeling “definitely terrified” about stepping into new challenges, but welcomed the opportunity for a fresh start and, on a lighter note, to finally experience what having a weekend off feels like
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