Tiffany Calver pledged to “keep opening doors for women” at the Women In Music Awards 2019.
Calver, who appeared on the cover of Music Week earlier this year to mark her takeover as the first female host of the BBC Radio 1/1Xtra Rap Show, won the Rising Star trophy at last week’s sold-out event, which was hosted by her colleague Alice Levine.
Clara Amfo, herself a former winner of the Music Champion Award, presented Calver’s trophy at the awards, held in association with AIM and UK Music, and described the DJ as “a powerhouse”.
“When I first met Tiffany, she was quite shy and unassuming but had this passion for music, particularly hip-hop music, that just shone out of her every time we spoke,” said Amfo.
“She then started doing a podcast and was saying to me, ‘Clara, I’m not sure, can I do radio?’ I said, ‘Go for it!’” Amfo continued, in an animated speech. “Then she ended up being the woman who has got the biggest rap show in the UK right now. Not only that, she’s become a close personal friend, she is just an absolute powerhouse. I keep saying powerhouse because it’s the only way I can describe you!”
Read Calver’s short but sweet acceptance speech in full below:
“I wouldn’t have been able to open doors this year if it wasn’t for women like @claraamfo” @tiffanycalver collects the Rising Star award #MWWIM pic.twitter.com/4REBSKv2sT
— Music Week (@MusicWeek) November 8, 2019
“In true rap style, I’m going to freestyle. This award means so much to me.
“This year I’ve become the first of many things. I wouldn’t have been able to go through some of the things I’ve been through this year if it wasn’t for people like Clara and the women in this room – there are a lot of you, so I won’t say everyone’s name – who opened doors for me.
This year I’ve become the first of many things
“I want to say thank you and just let you all know that I’m inspired to keep helping open the door for many other women in the years to come. Thank you!”
Calver featured in the Women In Music special issue of Music Week, subscribers can read the interview here. Read Calver’s cover story here. To subscribe to Music Week and never miss a music biz story, click here.
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