Like many pioneering sisters before her, Charissa Saverio took a masculine pseudonym so that she could acquire work and credence in a man's world. Thing is, this man's world was 1990s Britain, and Saverio was an up-and-coming jungle DJ.

Characterized by scorching bass lines and heartbeat-threatening, start-stop break beats, jungle is techno's answer to speed metal. True to the aggressiveness of her art, Saverio grabbed gigs by pretending to be her own agent and showing up when it was too late to call someone in to replace her. Before long, guerilla tactics became irrelevant, as the newly christened DJ Rap was as well known for her talent with turntables as she was for her looks.

After conquering raves and selling records by spinning and mixing other people's music, DJ Rap decided to make her real dream come true: to write and record... a pop album?

The just-released "Learning Curve" is the simmering result of DJ Rap's years of living the techno life as well as her innate ability to recognize a good hook when she hears one. Pretty and contagious, the disc has drawn many a comparison to that electronica-inspired LP put out by that one-named pop goddess last year... and don't think DJ Rap doesn't have something to say about that. (Did we neglect to mention she's incredibly candid as well?)

MTV News recently hooked up with the DJ-turned-diva in New York City and discovered how she really feels about her topless modeling days, getting goosed by other DJs, and, oh yeah, Madonna.

Rave on.