December 8, 2023 |
Tiffany Calver is a DJ, a reputed radio presenter with an unparalleled commitment to her craft. She’s a hip-hop tastemaker, a picky, considered music mixer with a unique penchant not only for genuinely connecting with her audience, but for championing up-and-comers and underdogs. Formerly of the “1Xtra Rap Show” (now fronted by Kenny Allstar) where she became the first ever female host, and now of her own, namesake act “The Tiffany Calver Show”, the 29-year-old British DJ covers a variety of African and UK flavours from baile funk, UK funky, and amapiano, to hip-hop, Afrobeats, R&B, garage and more. Balancing a radio career, as well as the record label she launched just last year in partnership with Polydor Records named, No Requests, she’s showing no sign of slowing her revolutionary roll.
Now, for the monumental 50th edition of the annual Pirelli Calendar, an innovative photography-based project that’s become one of the biggest yearly fashion moments outside the catwalk schedule, Calver took on the task of soundtracking its launch party and offered live performances during the three-day calendar shoot in London.
The 2024 calendar, shot by Ghanaian visual artist Prince Gyasi, 28, focuses on ‘timelessness’ and aptly features a slew of extraordinary Black talents. From His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of West Africa’s historical Asante Empire, to beloved supermodel Naomi Campbell, renowned actor and rapper Idris Alba, Hollywood legend Angela Bassett and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history Amanda Gorman, amongst others, brought Gyasi’s rich visual language to life. The line-up of royal dignitaries, actors and models was shot in his hometown, Ghana, afterall, as well as in London.
Before she took to the decks for the 2024 Pirelli Calendar launch party here in London, we caught up with Calver to chat about the calendar, Idris Alba, her weirdest song requests and her work endorsing emerging talent and Black electronic producers.
Photography by Alex Piper
1. How does it feel to be one of this year’s Pirelli calendar DJ’s?
“It’s a huge honour. Sixty years is no small feat and to have remained as timeless to the world as it has, I’m overjoyed to have been asked to soundtrack the celebrations. It’s also a moment to celebrate an African photographer being selected to shoot such an iconic calendar. Prince Gyasi did an incredible job!”
2. Out of this year’s calendar stars, who do you admire most and why?
“There’s so many! They all represent opulence, power and strength to me. There is someone to represent everyone. But I’m going to have to say Idris Elba. I met him for the first time interviewing him for my former show on BBC Radio 1 where we essentially navigated his career and life through a music soundtrack. I admire his tenacity to live life to the fullest. Doing and being whoever and whatever he chooses to be with zero fear. Whether he’s acting, djing, making music, starting a brand, an anti knife crime charity…wine! It’s inspiring to see and something that has stuck with me as inspiration since then.”
3. When you’re DJing, what’s one song you know will get people to the dance floor?
“At the moment it has to be anything from the Renaissance album! Literally anything. A personal favourite is ‘Heated’ because when that final verse comes in I actually think the crowd might be louder than the speakers!”
4. What’s your favourite club to play in London and why?
“Fabric! I got to play in Room One a few months back and it was the most fun I’ve had in years as a DJ. I’m all for making memories and having your phone out but my God do those snazzy stickers on the camera phones they give you make a difference. It’s a very liberating and weirdly intimate experience for everyone there. I am dying to go back and play again asap!!”
5. You continue to champion emerging talent and Black electronic producers/DJs on your shows. Who are three emerging talents we should check out?
“Oh man, only three!? Ok. Let’s think. I’d say P-rallel is someone I’m so excited for in 2024. He’s really made such a pristine record in ‘Movement’ and it’s great to play out in the clubs. I really love Kitty Amor who signed to Defected recently. Her work is on a whole other level and really energises a set when you play her records. One of my favourite DJs right now is Keyrah. Flawless, educated and diverse selections every single time. A proper selector. She is the chosen one, trust me!”
6. What’s the weirdest song request you’ve ever had?
“I think that starting a brand called ‘No Requests’ has been really helpful to get the message across to people to be honest but back in the day, I’d probably say the wildest request I’ve had was Pavarotti. Yes. Pavarotti. I’m always up for a challenge but bare in mind I was playing funky house at the time. Hard gear shift, that.”
7. If you could only play one genre for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?
“In 2023 I don’t think anyone only wants to hear one genre of music all night long. We’re a generation of multi-hyphenates. We’re all rebellious and outspoken too so if I got told I could only play one genre of music, I just probably wouldn’t play at all! It’s like being told to clean your room as a kid. Triggering.”
8. If you had to curate a festival to take place this coming weekend, who would be your three headliners?
“Dead or alive? Today I’d say – Friday: Jay Z. Saturday: Daft Punk and Sunday: Prince.”
9. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“I actually did a Karaoke birthday party this year and I think everyone is aware at this point that after a Lychee martini or seven I will be attempting to sing Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ and nobody is stopping me.”
10. What can we expect from you in 2024?
“Lots of fun radio shows, parties and DJ sets but most excitingly…you can expect some music from me for the first time ever.”
2024 Pirelli Calendar by Prince Gyasi
