DJ Kayper

DJ Kayper is tiny. Apparently at her first DJ gig she was not only underage but also under height - she was standing on crates to reach the decks!

The barely five foot Kayper hosts the Friday night show on BBC Asian but is just as often seen in the 1Xtra building, locking heads with Mistajam. She's generally regarded as 'the chick who can really mix' and has won many awards for her talents; ranging from the Telegraph's Student DJ of the Year in 2003 to being the first ever female to win the Vestax Juice DJ comp - to just a month ago getting the crown for Best DJ at the London Club and Bar Awards.

It's clear Kayper is a hard working gal. Not only her radio show, but also residencies at The Box, Rose Club, LoveBrunch events and lots of clubs and fesivals in the States keep her busy (she kept Paris Hilton dancing at the Neon Carnival at Coachella)

Music News caught up with her for a chat...

Music News: Apparently you are the best female DJ out there. What's your special skill?

Kayper: I can dj any style of music with skills on turntables and I just happen to be a girl.

Music News: how did you end up doing a single on Diplo's label? Any plans for a follow up?

Kayper: I co-produced the track with a dubstep producer called Engine Earz a few years back. His management got in touch with Diplo's people who loved the track and decided to put it on Maddecent and then Diplo also put the track on one of his Maddecent mixes for Beatport. Easy as that!

Music News: you're DJing in the States almost as often as in the UK - which crowd is more difficult to please?

Kayper: I think the UK is more difficult to please. I feel like the UK is very spoiled for choice when it comes to music and dj's so they are not easily impressed. It means that I have to work twice as hard to get the crowds attention which really keeps me on my toes. I love the fact that its more of a challenge here in the UK because if it wasn't I would get bored very easily.

I think the art of djing is respected a lot more in the U.S so when they see a girl with skills on turntables, they really do appreciate it and are very responsive. They also love the fact that I'm English so thats also a bonus.

Music News: what advice would you give girls trying to break into DJing?

Kayper: Buy some decks and practice as much as you can whenever you can. I see a lot of girls trying to be djs but there are only a handful that are actually technically good. Djing is a very time consuming hobby and in order to have longevity and stand out amongst the others, you should always aim to be the best you can be.

Music News: have you ever said a rude word by mistake on your radio show?

Kayper: So far, never. For some reason when the mic is on, an automatic switch comes on in my head that prevents me from saying any bad words.

Music News: what is your tune of the Summer?

Bobby Tank - After Burn

Find out more at www.djkayper.co.uk and catch her at The Box, Rose Club, LoveBrunch events and on BBC Asian.