History was made on Saturday (August 5) when DJ Perly became the first woman to win the DMC US Finals, the annual DJ battle that pits the best of the best turntablists against each other in a brutal competition.
Held at The Highline Ballroom in New York City, the event was hosted by D.I.T.C’s Lord Finesse and featured a rare DJ set from the remaining members of the X-Ecutioners — Mista Sinista, DJ Rob Swift, DJ Precision and Total Eclipse. According to Swift, the late Roc Raida and fellow X-Ecutioner was there in spirit. “He always is,” Swift tells HipHopDX.
DJ Perly, a Bronx native and proud Puerto Rican-Russian American, was battling fellow regional DMC champions like Dwells and Schmeeze. The moment she stepped into the venue, she knew it was going to be an incredible experience, but she could’ve never predicted the outcome.
“That night, I instantaneously felt the high energy of excitement,” Perly explains to DX. “I knew it was going to be a really good battle. Not sure how the night would end, but it was going to be a good night. Not gonna lie, the night went really fast to the point when I couldn’t believe that the X-Ecutioners were showcasing and Lord Finesse was about to announce the Top 3. When I heard my name as the USA champ, I was surprised and just overwhelmed with joy. I was so overwhelmed I kinda lost feeling in my legs and dropped to the floor [laughs]. That moment truly felt magical and gratifying that hard work was paying off.”
In addition to winning a Rane 72 mixer, a new model that was unveiled that night, she’s also earned a trip to London, where she’ll compete for the title of DMC World Champion.
“It’s an honor to go to London to battle and rep the USA, but I’m not thinking about pressure,” she says. “I’m just thinking about practicing, doing my best and going for the gold. No matter what, there will always be some sort of expectation of, not just myself, but other world finalist repping their countries in hopes for their DJ to win the world title. So pressure? Not gonna think about it — just gonna stay focused.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOf9mVW3DQM
Although she was also the first woman to become the US Vice Champ in 2016, she feels like she still faces an uphill battle as a female trying to navigate the waters in such a male-dominated industry.
“From what I know and experienced in the past is that some people just don’t think that women can do what the guys can do,” she admits. “Some people just don’t want to see a woman kick ass and prove that women can do anything in this world. They’re just afraid.”
She adds, “Women are so underrepresented in not just Hip hop, but other genres of music. Some men — not all — see women as weak and frail, but in fact, [we] are truly the strongest. Women go through a nine-month pregnancy, and give birth to the future and next generations of game changers. And think about it, child birth hurts like hell and we still kick ass. I applaud all those women who fight day in and day out to show and prove that this world is not a man’s world, and women can succeed in male-dominated fields. Women have the power and strength to move the world in a positive direction. We all have that power.”
glass ceiling = female mediocrity
uhh, you got video or were you there, that’s a slippery slope you on bruh
They’re not going to release videos for her competitors to study and cop her routine. She’s competing in the WORLD FINALS IN LONDON soon. Do better or shut up.
She bested male challengers so how mediocre could she be mate? What have you done in your lifetime?
i invented black people wearing hoodies
This is some bullshit. She was GIVEN the win so the competition doesn’t look sexist. She’s obviously talented but we can’t all sit here and pretend that she was the best Dj. I know for a fact she didn’t deserve 1st. This seems to be a sad fact of society today to keep females happy, like gender quotas etc. Rather than winning something based on merit.
Cosign 100%
You’re the exact type of person she describes. You’re either threatened, jealous or both. Why is it sooooo hard to believe a woman can win? A man has won every year since 1985 and you don’t think ONE woman would ever win?
Hi Trent, you white knighting homo.
You must be a jealous. First of all Did your mother name you Hmmm? did she ran out of names? Don’t be upset because women are taking over the dj world!
Social (Gay promotion and Lame Feminist agenda shit ) Statement. She is average at best. She must’ve competed against 8 year olds.
she might very well have been the best dj at that particular competition, but in order for her to be considered the best, she has to go up against the absolute best. im talking guys who are undefeated and can run laps around anyone. im talking guys who have more skills than dj qbert or d-styles or mix master mike or the x-ecutioners themselves. that would convince me of her being one of the best. with that said, there are a 2 things in this article that made me cringe my ass off, and that is the likes of rob swift of all people, and the writer saying “glass ceiling” unironically. the second is perly using the fact that women can give birth as an argument for why women are “strong” or stronger than some men. yeah, naming a thing that only women do and something thats impossible for a man to do really isn’t that good of argument as people think when you think about how mundane and unspecial the inner workings of basic biology is. its like saying cockroaches are stronger than humans because they can live several weeks without their heads and humans can’t lol its silly. naming something that both men and women can do that women can beat men at would be a much better argument. both are fundamentally flawed feminist-esque rhetoric that people need to stop repeating as if these recycled talking points has any value in the real world at all. just saying, you can be a “Strong” and talented women without adhering to or paying lipservice to feminism.
*tumble weed*
I was there Saturday. Perly’s a good DJ but most people seemed to agree that DJ Dwells (who came in second) deserved to win. His set was much better.
From what I understand she wasn’t the best. Dwells(?) I heard ripped his set and she was in the top 5 but nowhere near good enough to win the whole thing. S/O to her, I guess. Whole thing seems a bit tainted. But that’s the world we live in. Winners don’t win when the “sympathy” vote is in place.
Sweet Jesus. Look at the men complain about this lady moving up in this world. As a women Dj i have worked in Studio
54 in Manhattan and learned from the best. This young lady has the skills and talent that male dj’s wish they had her moves and
talent. Let the haters cry foul and talk because that’s what men do. Boo hoo.. Yes, we the women are taking over and guy’s if you don’t like what you see? well it’s too damn bad!
Congratulations to Dj Perly wishing you the best! When i was working at studio 54 and Dee jaying the men haters cried. Men, ugh.. certain male dj’s can’t stand a woman winning a competition especially the DMC. Best of Luck in the UK and let people talk the talk..can they scratch the scratch or make great music?