Behind the Mic: Kelley McCaffery

by Jackie Ott

Kelley McCaffery, or DJ Pre-K as she’s known on her show, Bangerz ‘N’ Mash, brings the hip, the hop, and the rap every Friday. This semester Kelley runs one of the nine Hip-Hop/Rap shows on KDUP, a new twist from the folk/rock songs that are usually on the airwaves. In an effort to get behind the mic to connect you to your college radio DJs, we’re sitting down with DJs all semester, with McCaffery getting us off to a fun start. Here’s what she had to say:

Jackie Ott: The eternal Portland question: bike, bus, or walk?



Kelley McCaffery: Oh walk. I love walking.

JO: What’s your favorite restaurant in Portland?



KM: Kure, the smoothie place. You can get bee pollen in a smoothie! Also, their Acai Bowls are bomb.

JO: Best book you’ve ever read?



KM: Brave New World changed my life, and how I read books.

JO: What made you decide to be a DJ?



KM: I made a pact with my friend Matt, who I’ve known since I was four. Our junior year of high school we promised that we would become both DJs in college and bartenders somewhere down the line. So far I’m the only one who’s pulled through on the DJ part of the pact with my show.

JO: Would you suggest becoming a DJ to others on campus?


KM: Yes! DO IT! Everyone’s cool, you’ll get to meet a ton of people at meetings and they’ll try to include you in KDUP. You’ll get comfortable in the booth and excited to play your music every week. Two thumbs up.

JO: What was your latest Halloween costume?


KM: I was a cub scout from Moonrise Kingdom.

JO: What music have you been excited about lately?


KM: I’ve been inspired by Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra lately, which I would describe as self-deprecating acoustic. I was also really excited about the Coachella lineup, especially Anderson Pock, Lewis the Child, and A$AP Rocky.

JO: Do you have any suggestions of good introduction hip-hop/rap for the more folk-minded people around campus?


KM: Snoop Dog’s Doggy Style, one of the best rap albums of all time. Kendrick Lamar’s Section 80. Childish Gambino seems to just know exactly what I’m feeling.

JO: What exactly the name Bangerz ‘N’ Mash means to you?


KM: I mostly play hardcore/classic rap that I always love to go back to, but also mash because I listen to more than just rap on a daily basis. Before I added the mash I played too much basic rap.

JO: And what’s the mash?


KM: Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra, Matt & Kim, Lewis the Child, not specifically rap but music that has beats that makes me think of rap songs.