Tiffany Calver Shatters Ceilings and Spins New Beats Beyond 1Xtra

Tiffany Calver has made history as the first female host of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra's Rap Show, a role she took on at just 24 years old. When she started, she didn't expect the huge reaction from listeners, critics, and even celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson. Tiffany describes herself as a 'nerdy girl that liked to play music,' and she was surprised by how many people had strong opinions about her new job. Some of the comments were tough to handle, but she believes that causing a stir means you're making a real impact. She says, 'That's when you know you're making an impact, when change scares people. ' Now, she feels it's not as unusual to see a woman in her position, and she's proud to have helped open doors for others.

After seven years at 1Xtra, Tiffany is preparing to air her final show, which will be pre-recorded. She thinks it was very important for her to take the job back in 2018, especially because there were so few women in broadcasting, particularly in genres like rap that were often seen as just for men. Tiffany left the Rap Show in 2023 to start her own multi-genre program, where she has introduced listeners to a wide variety of music and interviewed many artists. One of her most memorable moments was meeting US rapper Pop Smoke in New York in 2019. She was determined to find him after hearing his song 'Welcome to the Party,' and she ended up being his first British radio interview. Pop Smoke played her his new tracks in a private studio session, and Tiffany says this experience proved she was right for the job.

Throughout her career, Tiffany has struggled with imposter syndrome, the feeling that she didn't deserve her success. She once asked Angie Martinez, a legendary US hip-hop broadcaster, for advice on being a woman in the music industry. Angie told her that it's normal to feel afraid and that the key is to manage your confidence and keep going. Tiffany says that leaning into her fear helped her decide to leave 1Xtra and look for new challenges. She's nervous about the future, especially about what will happen in 2026, but she's also excited to explore new opportunities and share even more types of music. Tiffany is proud of how British rap keeps evolving and staying relevant, and she's happy to have supported new talent. Her last live show included messages from stars like Tinie Tempah and Ms Banks, and a special appearance from her dad, who helped shape her love of music. As she moves on, Tiffany is looking forward to a fresh start and finally having weekends off, and she promises that her next steps will be revealed soon.