SchemeMag.com

DJ Ultraviolet Interview

By: Simóne J. Banks

The Lady loves Hip Hop

In a time when music has become very redundant and consistently boring, you can’t help but to appreciate the classics. When it comes to hip hop, there is nothing like hearing real music being played in a room full of true hip hop heads that fear nothing but the sounds of Crime Mob and MIMS.

You won’t hear “pop, lock and drop it” on the turn tables of DJ Ultraviolet. The Harlem, NY bred hip hop DJ knows what real hip hop is, and she’s not afraid to display her playlist. Residing now in Philadelphia, she is the well respected female DJ that can spin with the best of them. But on the flip side, she’s here for the females. Ladies love hip hop too!

“I started djing in my room and at first I wasn’t aspiring to be a club DJ, but as a DJ you want nothing more than for people to hear your selection.” Ultraviolet, however hasn’t always been into Djing. While growing up, the piano was her turn table and the sound was more classical then edgy. Hip hop was always present and eventually she grew to not only enjoy the culture but appreciated the freeness and flexibility. The one thing about hip hop is that women aren’t always respected. But determination and skill has allowed Ultraviolet to change the game, no sloppy seconds here!

“In the short time I’ve been in the industry, I’ve seen the
ugly side of dealing with some men. They'll invite you to things and
want to work with you and show you love but they have another
agenda. It’s heart breaking because they make you think that they
genuinely care about what you do and how you do it; but then later
the truth surfaces when they try to hit on you. Not every male in the
industry is like that though. I have made some great friends through
the process. When I first started, I didn't have that issue but the
more involved in the scene I became, the uglier things got at times. I
heard stories and I was like "oh that won't happen to me" but it has
and it’s happened to some of my home girls as well. It’s made me sharper in a sense. I keep me eye out for things like that.”

The art of hip hop was the initial attraction for her. Ciphers, Adidas, break dancing; it was a very individualized yet inclusive culture. Everyone is more or less expected to bring something to the table. However, New York’s hip hop scene is very different than Philly’s. “I feel that Philly and NYC are so different when it comes to parties and music. You could go out during the week in NY and find a packed party that will go to 4am. NYC is the birth place so a lot of those artists still live there and you can go check them out at anytime. Here the market is a bit different. You have to promote a little bit more and NYC is a lot bigger than Philly. People here love the underground. I think they love it in NYC also. It’s just easier to get folks to come out in NYC.”

But Ultraviolet hasn’t had much trouble creating a crowd. There isn’t a minute that you get bored with her DJ sets. She consistently plays music that keep you saying, Ohh yeah! I remember that! She’s classic and has already made a name for herself in the Philly underground music scene. One of her most noteworthy events she has developed is the Ladies Love Hip Hop annual party. She’s had guest such as Bahamdia, Monie Love, Dj Roxy, Ethel Cee, and this year will feature Jean Grae.

“I started LLHH out of frustration of folding jeans and t shirts all
damn day! The idea literally popped into my head and I called
some friends and asked what they thought about it and it just kind of
went from there. I wasn’t really getting any gigs at the time so I
decided to do my own thing and have a few other female DJs I knew spin
with me. Basically, LLHH is for ladies who really do love hip hop.
There are very few of us out there. The night is dedicated to classic
hip hop so you'll hear anything from BDP to Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Tribe
Called Quest, etc. It’s a great time! About 2 years ago I met Monie Love at a party and my friend, DJ Tactics told her about what I was doing and she loved the idea. She’s been down with the event for the last 2 years. I was lucky to get Jean Grae for next one. It’s a dope event that I would like to bring to other cities.”

Breaking into the business wasn’t always easy. Intimidated? No she states, she just did it. “I just went and did it. Philly is a DJ city. Some of the worlds best DJs are from here so I knew I couldn't come out and be on some wackness! I learned a lot by watching and hanging out
with other DJs. My first gig I was super nervous though but it turned
out to be fun and things kind of rolled from there.”

She’s rubbed elbows with the Illvibe Collective of Philly, a group of DJs that include DJ Statik, Lil Dave, Panek, Phillee blunt and Skipmode who eventually took her in under their wings. “They're all dope turntabalist and producers as well. They play everything from hip hop to house to bossa nova; everything! They were the first DJs that I became friends with and were genuine about it.”

Philly’s been loyal to DJ Ultraviolet. If you get the chance to catch her spin you’ll know why Philly has welcomed this lady of hip hop. This summer she’ll be featured at the Bboy BBQ which is held every 2^nd Saturday in June @ the Hawthorne Recreation Center and in July she’ll be sharing the spotlight with DJ Cash Money at her newest event called Living Legends. “The first one I did was with DJ Scratch; shouts out to him for being so humble and killing the party! The next one will be with 9th Wonder, be on the look out for that one!!”

To check out more information about DJ Ultraviolet, visit www.myspace.com/djultraviolet