“I’m An Artist First: Reflections on Identity and Politics in Hip-Hop”

A Conversation with DJ Chela

BRM handpicked the most dynamic up-and-rising females in hip-hop, and conducted raw and intimate conversations about identity and politics.

Battle DJ, student of the healing arts, activist, and one of the livest DJs on the New York scene, DJ Chela is an anomaly in the world of the Serato saturated market, sustaining true turntablism with style and a good head on her shoulders.

Beyond Race Magazine: When did you begin deejaying?

DJ Chela: Summer '02.

BRM: When did you know you wanted to become an artist?

Chela: I've been making music as long as I can remember. I think it was around 14 that I realized that's what I wanted to do. I was writing songs on my guitar then, I had no idea I would get into deejaying.

BRM: When did you actively begin pursuing your art?

Chela: I was collecting records, practicing mixing and cutting and doing college radio from 18-22 years old until I started spinning out at clubs.

BRM: How were you received in the hip-hop community? Were most of your experiences affirming or discouraging?

Chela: When I first started, the response was mostly affirming, but there was some small-town scene discouragement as well. As I started making a name for myself worldwide, it became somewhat easier. It was hard to deal with at first, but I soon realized that it came with the territory and wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

BRM: Did you feel particularly advantaged or disadvantaged in this market because of your identity?

Chela: I think my identity set me apart and caught people's attention, but my skills, drive and consistency kept me there.

BRM: What are ways that being a woman has made your experience in your journey unique?

Chela: Being so sensitive to and analytical of what messages we speak about and convey in the music. Caring about where we are as a people and wanting to improve how we live and love.

BRM: What are ways that women are being supported in your industry? Do you see that the support is coming mostly from other women or from men?

Chela: DJ-wise there is a worldwide desire for talented female DJs, because it still is relatively imbalanced. So economically, there is a demand and reward for talented female DJs, in place by both men and women. Then there are several communal organizations run mostly by women that support other female artists. There are a few men such as Davey D, Rikerz, The Beatminerz and others that do what they can to support female artists simply because they want to see more of a female representation in the culture.

BRM: Why do you feel that there is still such a gross under-representation of women in your field?

Chela: Women aren't raised in this society to have confidence or opinions, so it occurs to far fewer women than men to become artists. Then there is so much egomania in the business that you have to be strong and really love what you do to want to stay in it.

BRM: Have you ever had to modify your behaviors or personality to prove your credibility?

Chela: Every situation calls for something different, of course. That said, I was recently booked to headline the Under The Volcano Festival in Vancouver. After I performed, fellow artists I was kicking it with that weekend were relieved that I killed it, because they thought that since I was a down-to-earth, kind-hearted person I wasn't going to be a live artist. Ha - in that way I guess I am just myself.

BRM: What are some actions that you are putting into place to combat these disparities?

Chela: Entering the Winter Music Conference Spin-Off last year, where I won second place out of 35 other DJs, 33 of which were male. This format was strictly about skill, and it was a great feeling to come so close to number one. I'm certainly not finished yet. I am also slowly and steadily building the New Girl Order collective, which is all about supporting female artists in the industry and reinventing what female leadership looks like through entertainment culture. In the meantime, I hope that my deejaying makes a difference.

BRM: What are projects that you would like to highlight of either yourself or of your peers that are renaming and rewriting the game (how women are represented in hip-hop)?

Chela: The B-Girl Be conference in Minneapolis was incredible this fall. The community and grand organization of everything was amazing. Lah Tere's project Mama's Hip-Hop Kitchen is a huge yearly event that has a lot of support from the community. There is also Hip-Hop Sisters, She's So Fresh monthly showcase, Black Girls Rock, The Anomalies, The Murda Mamis, and so many other projects that are keeping the spirit alive.

BRM: What are your thoughts about people tagging your gender at the beginning of your title all of the time? i.e. female emcee, female DJ, female entrepreneur, etc.

Chela: No one wants to be put in a box, but at the same time it can be pertinent information to others that value female artists and are actively searching them out. We do intrinsically bring something different, and as long as the scales are tipped, we are an anomaly.

BRM: Is being a female primary, secondary, or other in the grand scheme of your profession?

Chela: I think being an artist is a soul type, one that comes before gender, although gender influences the expression.

BRM: How do you view the use of sexuality in your experience in the industry? Describe its role and purpose (i.e. is it exploitative or empowering?) Are you conscious of your use of sexuality in your own career?

Chela: I am myself, in all my intricacies. Being a sexual being is definitely part of that. I celebrate myself in my fullness. It's part of my expression. I am tasteful of course, because that's how I want to be, but if i felt differently, I would hope I would have the artistic courage to do what I felt. Being a woman demands being celebrated :)

BRM: What are your biggest words of wisdom to new women entering into the industry?

Chela: The music industry is going through so many changes right now, and has been used for so long by the powers that be to dumb down the masses, I encourage anybody entering into the industry to passionately create and disseminate the honest music that real people have been missing. And as my mentor used to tell me, observe the six P's: “Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance.” Female DJs are getting a bad rap as being unskilled, which makes it hard on all of us. Deejaying is a trade, like masonry. Get your skills up, don't build a faulty foundation for yourself and this culture! But most importantly have FUN and enjoy the journey. The art of deejaying to me is so humbling because it is so VAST. Be yourself and express your uniqueness. As KRS-One said, "Love yourself and your expression, you can't go wrong."

BRM: List a few of your current and soon to be released projects to take us out…

Chela: Catch my show WKGB (We Keep Getting Better) on Beatminerz Radio every Monday at www.dabeatminerz.com 4-6 pm! Check me spin at events around NYC and worldwide. Other announcements coming soon in the next decade 2010!