Radio 1Xtra’s first female Rap Show host leaves the station

When Tiffany Calver became the first female host of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s Rap Show at the age of 24, she didn’t realise the reaction it would have.

She recalls listeners, pundits and even TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson weighing in when she landed the role on the popular show.

The self-proclaimed “nerdy girl that liked to play music” tells BBC Newsbeat she had never been exposed to so many opinions and they “absolutely ate away” at her.

But she’s glad she “ruffled some feathers”.

“That’s when you know you’re making an impact when change scares people,” she says.

“Fortunately, I don’t think it’s as scary to see a woman in that space any more.”

Her last Radio 1Xtra show, a pre-recorded programme, will air later, signing off her seven years at the station.

Tiffany believes it was “so important” she took the slot back in 2018.

“There’s so many more women, still not enough, in broadcasting who focus on genres that maybe, taboo-wise, would have been strictly for men,” says the 31-year-old.

Tiffany stepped down from the Rap Show in 2023 to launch her own multi-genre programme on 1Xtra, where she has hosted a wide range of musical talents over the years.

Throughout her seven years at the station, Tiffany has debuted a host of new tracks and interviewed a plethora of music stars.

One “bittersweet” moment that stands out in the DJ’s memory is chatting to US rapper Pop Smoke, who was shot dead in 2020.

On a trip to New York in 2019, she was determined to find the artist after hearing his track, Welcome to the Party, before it blew up.

“We were his first British radio interview,” she says, recalling that he did a lock-in at his studio to show her his latest tracks.

“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’,” she says.

And like many of us, that imposter syndrome is something she has faced throughout her career.

Tiffany says she once had the chance to ask one of her “absolute greats”, US hip-hop broadcaster Angie Martinez, for tips on being a female broadcaster in the music space.

“A lot of it is just letting the fear lead you and just learning to manage the imposter syndrome and manage the confidence, and the lack of confidence you might sometimes have,” she says.

“Leaning more into the fear” helped Tiffany make the decision to leave 1Xtra.

During one of her last shows, she played tracks submitted by musicians from across the UK after putting a message out on socials.

That has been a major part of her shows – representing British talent.

“I think the most beautiful thing about British rap, especially, is just the innovation to constantly stay relevant,” she says.

“There’s been so much conversation, especially in recent years, of it kind of losing its buzz and not being as trendy any more…

“And lo and behold, a whole new scene appears and encapsulates everybody once again.”

Her last live show in December featured messages from popular artists, like Tinie Tempah and singer Ms Banks, as well as a very special guest – her dad.

The pair performed a back-to-back set and chatted about how he taught her to have “the best” music taste.

And while Tiffany used to mainly focus on rap music, she says her taste has “grown” and “evolved” and she is “so keen” to showcase a wider range of music in future.

And what is next for the DJ? She takes a page from US star Timothée Chalamet’s playbook when he was asked about speculation he was Liverpudlian rapper EsDeeKid – “all will be revealed in due time”.

“I am leaving after seven years because it’s been seven years,” she says.

“It’s been a long time and I think it’s time for a bit of a fresh start, challenge myself.”

Although, Tiffany admits, she is “definitely terrified” about launching into the unknown in 2026.

But, on the upside, she is “about to finally discover what a weekend is”.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here.