Kayper

Kaajal Bakrania, known professionally as Kayper, was born on August 6, 1983, in London, United Kingdom. Raised in Croydon, South London, she commenced her DJ career at the age of 11, influenced by a family rooted in DJing and music production, including her cousin Nookie, a pioneer in the Jungle and Drum and Bass scene. Her early focus was hip-hop and R&B, and she began producing music at 15. She attended St Mark’s Church of England Primary School and Westwood Girls’ College before studying Music Technology and Creative Music at Anglia Ruskin University, graduating in 2007. During her university years, she participated in and won several DJ competitions in the early 2000s, developing skills that would define her career.

Kayper’s career progression saw her join a four-deck DJ crew in 2003, performing weekly at Bar Rumba in London. In 2004, she established her own club night, ‘Ebonics,’ in Cambridge, hosting notable DJs such as DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Premier. From 2006 to 2012, she held a significant role as a broadcaster on the BBC Asian Network and BBC Radio 1Xtra, where her shows championed emerging British South Asian talent and showcased a wide range of genres including hip-hop, dubstep, UK garage, drum and bass, house, and global music. Her eclectic style led to performances at venues and festivals globally, including Fabric, Ministry of Sound, Printworks, Eden Ibiza, Amnesia Ibiza, Coachella, and Glastonbury. During this period, she also toured as a supporting DJ for UK grime artist Mz Bratt, and performed at private events for clients such as Rihanna and Jay-Z.

Following her departure from the BBC in 2012, Kayper shifted her focus to music production. She released a collaborative single with dubstep producer Engine Earz on Diplo’s Mad Decent label. This was followed by solo releases on her Futurebox Records label and an EP, ‘Out My Mind,’ on Main Course, which received critical attention from Pitchfork and support from BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac. In 2015, she released the ‘Terminal’ EP featuring Janai on Eton Messy Records, followed by the single ‘What You Say’ with Jonny Winston. In 2024, she notably released three EPs on Hypercolour Records, demonstrating an evolution towards a darker, underground sound incorporating techno, breaks, and dubstep. Her ability to adapt and remain relevant across different musical eras underscores her dedication and influence in the industry.