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In 1973, this break became a breakthrough in culture and genres that changed the musical landscape of the time.
Clive Campbell is well known for his stage name, DJ Kool Herc, but he is in history as the “founder of hip hop.” The use of record players to extend breakbeat through the techniques that created the “merry-go-round” was innovative and transformative.
At that moment, Jam returned to school in the Bronx, hip-hop was born, and the role of DJs was solidified as one of the foundational pillars of hip-hop culture.
More than 50 years later, hip hop evolved into the dominant industry around the world. In recent months, he has expanded further in one of the world’s biggest stages, along with Kendrick Lamar’s performance as the first solo rapper to be chosen for the headlines of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. It is just one of countless milestones in culture that acts as an expression of how far the hip-hop influence has reached.
So it’s no surprise that it has expanded into the airways of eastern North Carolina. There, one educator is stimulating the next generation through the Pioneer DDJ-REV1 controller.
“It’s music that connects us.”
Jarmal Sanders, aka DJ J Dee, senior at Tarboro High School
Early influences of music
Monica Underhill was born and raised in Rocky Mount. Her admiration for music was flareed up by her parents as she had heard of Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Billy Ocean, Freddie Jackson and more.
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She also recognized her uncle as one of her previous influences. She recalled the day they were sitting on the porch together listening to the Foxy 104.3 radio station. Underhill believes in him by teaching her how to count beats along with exposing her to old music.
“I learn it and sing it like I know it forever,” she shared.
One group in particular caught her ear. When he was young, uld-hill discovered Salt-N-Pepa.
“That’s when I fell in love with music,” she said.
She also lists Brandy, Beyoncé and Janet Jackson as one of the other fascinating artists who brought her closer to radio.
According to Underhill, at the age of 13, her involvement with music grew after her father passed away. Songwriting in particular has become a therapeutic tool for her to express her emotions.
DJ Origin Story
After graduating from Northern Nash High School in 2001, Underhill attended Fayetteville State University (FSU).
“It’s not like HBCU,” she said, highlighting the impact of being surrounded by people from similar backgrounds.
While at FSU, Underhill majored in Communications and eventually won an internship at Foxy 99.1 radio station. Following that, she returned to Rocky Mount and completed another internship with power 95.5. It was when I worked at a radio station that I embedded the idea of becoming a DJ first.
“I just put it deep inside,” she said.
In 20ll, the idea came true after Underhill’s trip to Nevada. There, she saw another female DJ. That influenced her next step. “I’m going to do that when I get home,” she said.
Underhill called out to a high school friend who taught her how to use the equipment. After committing seven months to learn and invest in craft, she landed her first gig. She returned to her high school alma mater for a class reunion that year.
There, she made her debut as a DJ as a Mu.
Beyond music
“My mother always said, ‘You’re a teacher,'” Underhill said, the idea that she had resisted the previous years.
However, while Underhill is still active in her DJ career, she is currently an Edgator in Edgecomb County. In 2023, she joined the staff at Talboro High School (THS) as a digital media specialist. The following year, she had the opportunity to bring her passion for music to the classroom as an audio engineer instructor.
“I feel like it (DJ) taught me timing and culture. You need to know what your crowd is, so you can always know the music that plays music. I feel like I’m always listening for music, but this class definitely opened up and made my ears better.”
Jeanyzha Jenkins, aka DJ Jeanie in a Bottle, senior at Tarboro High School
Above all, Underhill builds relationships with students. She draws similarities between education and DJing, highlighting the importance of being able to “read your audience.”
“Not all gigs are the same. Not every day in the classroom is the same. So you need to be adaptable,” she added.
For Underhill, the course goes beyond music. Before students are introduced to the Pioneer DJ Controller, they spend the first few weeks of class learning about the history of hip hop. Additionally, Underhill needs to present to explore different aspects of DJ, including the business practices students need to succeed in the industry. Overall, students learn about DJ entrepreneurship.
“(DJs) taught me discipline and confidence because to be a good DJ, I need confidence, and to be a better DJ, I need time management and time to listen to the songs that people give me.”
Kendrick Coffield, aka DJ Code Shadow, senior at Talboro High School
By the end of the course, students must be able to complete performance-based measurements. It consists of students who curate a 10-minute set graded on factors such as timing, transition, and use of effects.
At the end of the first semester offering classes, Underhill recalls a feeling of crying and totally impressed, especially by the final performance of the girls in her class. Initially, she wasn’t sure if they were interested. Now they continue to visit her class on a daily basis to hone their skills.
Ths Senior Jazzmin “DJ Cover Girl” Cotten said the class showed “connecting with the community and with culture.” Her friend and audio engineering classmate Jeanyzha ‘DJ Jeanie in a Bottle’ Jenkins shared that she also teaches her timing and culture while developing her ears further for music.
“I’m happy to introduce them to it,” Underhill said.
She recognized her class as “something different, they are creative and can only become themselves when they come here.”
Where are you now?
Looking ahead, Underhill wants to grow the course. She is about to get more DJ equipment to make students more accessible to study art. Additionally, she aims to gather resources to include activities such as podcasting, beatmaking and other music production.
Outside of school, Underhill has her own ambitions and shows her students what it’s like to dream. In an ideal world, Underhill imagines hitting the road to become Beyoncé’s DJ. Additionally, she envisions days when there will be DJ opportunities at both the Essence Festival and the Charlotte Hornets.
Those days may be closer than ever. Ebony Magazine recently recognized her as one of the “female music creators” of the year.
In the meantime, Underhill continues her focus to promote culture, community and connection in the classroom.
