Press

Free course aims to spin off some female DJs
(Reprinted with permission, Philadelphia Weekly
Originally ran Spring 2004)
By Damon C. Williams

James Brown could've been talking about hip-hop when he sang that "it's a man's man's man's world." But two women want to change that in Philly, one song at a time.

Next Wednesday, Carolyn Chernoff and Rashida Holmes are launching a free, 10-week course, "DJ 101 For Girls," that will teach young women the solid basics of hip-hop record-spinning.

"Young women are not much involved in DJing, while most guys are," said Chernoff, University of Pennsylvania's Community Art Partnership director. "The vision is to have these young women become more encouraged to have their voices heard through participation," said Chernoff, 27, originally from Chicago. "We want [the girls] to become more responsive; they shouldn't be limited" to just listening to the music.

The sessions, aimed at girls 13 to 18 years old, will incorporate live DJs with equipment that can be used by the students at The Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St. The course will cover every aspect of being a DJ, from record selection and listening skills to persona development and choosing a memorable name.

"The idea was born out of a talk with Carolyn one day about spinning records," said Holmes, 32, also a Chicago native. She's program director of the Penn Alexander Community School, and works with Chernoff out of the Center for Community Partnerships. "We wanted to demystify DJing while allowing these young women to express themselves, and not just through music."

There's more to this program than teaching DJ skills, the program's co-founders say: It's also about growth, maturity and finding yourself.

"The one thing is this class will build confidence and self-assurance" within the young women attending, Holmes said. "They may find that DJing isn't for them, but maybe writing is; maybe painting is."

Men in hip-hop say women are facing a steep climb. "Women aren't brought up embracing the DJ culture," said longtime DJ Primetime. "And, combined with the lack of prominent older female DJs, girls do not usually see it as an option." There are other reasons for the lack of female involvement, too. "Maybe intimidation," said Stef Tataz, regional promoter and hip-hop buyer for Cue records. "Because of the way women are portrayed in the music business" as physical objects.

So, how does one combat this sexist vibe? "You have to make opportunities available for women," Primetime said. "What you really need is (legendary female DJs) - the Cocoa Channells, Jazzy Joyces and Spinderellas of the world - to step up."

Holmes is taking special pride in the program, she said, in part because the world of DJing seemed unapproachable growing up in Chicago. (She and Chernoff didn't meet till they got to Philadelphia.) "I knew nothing about DJing, and house music is big in Chicago," she said. "But it's hard to find good house music, so I started getting my own music; I wanted to [learn the music and DJ skills] myself."

Chernoff and Holmes say they're seeking only about a dozen applicants, so anyone interested in the course should act quickly.

"I expect positive outcomes...We've went in to the communities and we've heard them, and we want people to be proud of them," Chernoff said. "There seems to be a great deal of enthusiasm."

DJ 101 For Girls, 10-week course starts Wednesday,
The Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St., free.
Call Carolyn Chernoff, 215-898-3327.
Applications are available at University City and West Philadelphia high schools.