Women have been making strides in leaps and bounds in today’s male-dominated (and, at times, male-plagued) world, rightfully taking their place as equals (and, at times, superior) in this society. From sports to medicine, women have proved time and time again that they are as good or better than their male counterparts.
Now, society can add DJ Perly to the growing list of ceiling-smashers.
A Bronx native and Puerto Rican-Russian American, Perly (née Natalia Perlz) became the first woman to win the DMC USA National Finals, taking home the title August 5th in New York while besting fellow regional DMC champs such as Dwells and Schmeeze. Also a 2016 NYC DMC regional winner, becoming the first woman turntablist DJ to win a DMC US Regional DJ Championship in the process, she reached second place in the DMC USA National DJ Final that same year.
“That night, I instantaneously felt the high energy of excitement,” Perly said to HipHopDX. “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. 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.”
She now has the opportunity to compete in and win the 2017 DMC World Championship, representing the United States.
“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 says. “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.
“Women are so underrepresented in not just Hip hop, but other genres of music,” Perly continues. “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.”
Congrats, and much luck in the DMC World Championships, to DJ Perly.
