BLUP50 member Becca is a successful DJ, presenter and personality. Becca’s career began in 2012 when she was signed up by MTV to front their daily news programme interviewing the world’s biggest music artists, celebrities and beyond including Pharell Williams and Stormzy. Becca now fronts multiple shows for MTV including her own music show, MTV Live Stage, while also covering worldwide music events and festivals for MTV International – including Red Carpet events.
Becca is also a radio DJ for Apple Music’s international station Beats 1. DJing at major venues and festivals across the world, and supporting some of the world’s biggest reggae and dancehall acts.
In 2016, Becca launched her own music platform DEADLY. Born from her life-long love of reggae, dancehall and bashment, DEADLY is Becca’s hub to produce original documentaries, music videos, interviews and live sessions, showcasing artists from the UK, Caribbean and more.
// YOUR WORD FOR 2021
Things are looking up aren’t they! I spent 2020 feeling a lot of doom and gloom, but I’ve been getting into positive phycology and doing a lot of introspection over the last year, so that combined with the fact that summers coming means I’m feeling super hopeful for this year. I think we’ve all realised just how resilient we are and how powerful that can be moving forward, so I’m feeling optimistic.
// WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ONLINE/INSTAGRAM /TIKTOK / TWITTER THAT HAS STOPPED YOU SCROLLING?
The Social Dilemma was a real reminder of what we already knew! Since then I’ve been really watching my screen time and trying to read more. I don’t bother with Tik Tok or Twitter, even just Instagram is too much for me.
// GIVE US A WHISTLE STOP TOUR OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE
I started presenting in 2012, my first job in this industry was with MTV and I’m still with them to this day. I am also a radio DJ on Apple Music 1, where I host the Apple Music 1 List from London – I’ve been with Apple since the start of their radio journey 6 years ago and it’s been sick to be a part of the growth. I’ve hosted my own live music shows, traveled the world covering all sorts of festivals and events, worked with brands such as Red Bull, The X Factor, ASOS and The Mercury Awards.
I also DJ reggae and dancehall, playing at Festivals such as Glastonbury, and touring with artists such as Protoje and Morgan Heritage. Alongside this I run my own music platform called DEADLY which celebrates Jamaican music through original live sessions, interviews and documentaries. Every year we film with all the hottest talent in Jamaica, so far we’ve filmed with almost 50 artists across the last few years! We have a playlist thats updated weekly with all the sickest new tunes in reggae, dancehall and fusion Jamaican sounds. And we’ve just started doing interviews remotely with our favourite acts on the playlist over on our Youtube Channel.
//WHAT DOES 24 HOURS IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?
Every day is very different… and every day since 2020 has been even more different.
Pre covid there was no routine whatsoever, I’d be in back to back jobs and then in the summer it was working in a different country every week. In between that time I would spend it working on DEADLY.
Now it’s different – because of lockdown I’ve got into more of a routine each day which has definitely helped my sleep and my mental health. I have my regular radio and TV jobs keeping me going and I’ve had a whole load of spare time on my hands to do things for myself like play drums, read, meditate and just chill. Right now 24 hours is a lot of time spent on DEADLY!
// WHAT DO YOU DO TO SWITCH OFF OR CHILL?
I get my slow jams on, light some candles and jump in the bath for about an hour. Absolute heaven.
// WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR BEST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
Hosting the MTV European Music Awards Live red carpet show with Sway Calloway (total legend!!!) is probably one of my favourite jobs to date. We broadcast internationally to 120+ countries from cities such as Amsterdam, Milan and Bilbao, and the EMA energy is always next level. So much fun!
Launching DEADLY is also a career highlight. Creating my own music platform by myself has been a real challenge, especially for a niche genre, but I’m proud of what I’ve created and the amazing feedback from both artists and music lovers has given me so much motivation to keep going.
// WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR FUTURE?
I see DEADLY becoming THE place to go to for Jamaican music – what GRM & SBTV do for grime, but for reggae & dancehall music. I see events, a fashion brand, maybe even a label one day. I want to be the go to DJ for the new sounds of Jamaica, and I want to be able to bring the music to as many people as possible.
// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ONE CREATIVE/BRAND WHO WOULD IT BE?
We did an amazing collaboration in 2020 with Trojan Records, one of reggaes most prolific labels, where some of the hottest new artists covered Trojan Classics. I’d love to do more link ups like that.
I love what Red Bull have done for the culture, with Carnival and Culture Clash, and they have their ear to the ground when it comes to Jamaican music. Feel like we could do something sick.
I’d also love to collaborate with Clarks – their link to Jamaica is amazing and I’m always rocking mine!
// WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?
I’m really inspired by the women in my family – strong, powerful black women who have faced a lot of adversity but have come through fighting and also smiling.
I’m also a big fan of what David Rodigan has done for the culture, he’s given me some great advice over the years and he’s given some incredible feedback on DEADLY! Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is also an inspiration to me, not only though his free spirit and talent, but his dress sense is next level!
// YOUR FAVOURITE SONG OF 2021 SO FAR?
Double Jeopardy – Prince Levy. Only just discovered this artist last month and I’m a bit obsessed with this tune! It lifts my spirit every time I hear it.
// WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SAY ABOUT YOU AT THE END OF YOUR CAREER?
That I’m a genuine, authentic, good soul. That I made a real impact on music and helped spread it far and wide. That I was a voice for the new Jamaican artists to break through.
// WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEW CREATIVES?
You have to really love what you’re doing! Cause the journey can be tough in the industry. But most importantly, look after your mental health. It’s easy for people in the creative industry to go hard because there’s no boundaries of a 9-5. But there’s no use going full turbo speed and not taking time for yourself, because you will burn out and then be of no use to anyone – take it from me!
// WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW?
It’s important that we keep talking about the racial issues that are happening across the world. Yet another black man was killed by the American police this month. Say his name – Daunte Wright! I find Shaun King a very key figure to follow for updates in all the racial injustices that are happening.
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