Bulletproof

Following her major-label crossover bid in 1999 (Learning Curve), DJ Rap wasn't especially active during the first half of the subsequent decade. The especially photogenic DJ/producer released a solid pair of mix albums (Brave New World, Touching Bass) and a compilation of her past production work (Propa Classics, Vol. 1), all of which kept her on the market now and then, but she wasn't spending much time in the studio. It took her a while to summon the initiative to do so, but when she finally did enter the lab, she returned with Bulletproof, a drum'n'bass mix boasting a half-dozen of her own productions as well as a couple remixes she'd done. The ten-track, hourlong mix plays well as a whole, with most tracks mixing well into one another as the vibe remains distinctly intense, dark, and clubby. DJ Rap's production style hasn't changed too much despite the passage of time. If anything has changed, it's probably her drift toward a more trance-like approach. Each track drifts on for a relatively long time and there's an abundance of zippy buildups and breakdowns every couple minutes, and too, some rave motifs pop up every now and then for good measure. Above all, it's nice to see that DJ Rap hadn't thrown in the towel like many fans feared. That's why while some may complain that she hasn't made much artistic progression over the years, probably more will simply appreciate her return to music-making. In a world dominated by male DJs and producers, her presence is an especially welcome one.