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In 1973, the break became the breakthrough for a culture and genre that shifted the musical landscape of the time.
While Clive Campbell is famously known by his stage name, DJ Kool Herc, he is engraved in history as the “Founding Father of Hip Hop.” Through a technique coined the “merry-go-round,” his usage of record players to extend the breakbeat was innovative and transformative.
In that moment, at a back-to-school jam in the Bronx, hip hop was born and the role of the DJ was cemented as one of the foundational pillars of hip hop culture.
Over 50 years later, hip hop has evolved as a dominating industry across the globe. In recent months, it was further magnified on one of the world’s largest stages with Kendrick Lamar’s performances as the first solo rapper selected to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. That is just one of countless milestones for the culture that serves as a representation of how far the influence of hip hop has reached.
So there’s no surprise that it ventured its way into the airways of eastern North Carolina, where one educator is now inspiring the next generation through a Pioneer DDJ-REV1 controller.
“The one thing that could connect us is music.”
Jarmal Sanders, a.k.a. DJ J Dee, senior at Tarboro High School
Early influences in music
Monika Underhill was born and raised in Rocky Mount. Her admiration for music was fueled by her parents as they listened to the likes of Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Billy Ocean, Freddie Jackson, and others.
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She also acknowledged her uncle as one of her earlier influences. She recalled the days where they would sit on the porch together listening to the Foxy 104.3 radio station. Underhill credits him with teaching her how to count beats along with exposing her to older music.
“I would learn it and sing it like I’ve been knowing it forever,” she shared.
Pertaining to hip hop, one group in particular captured her ear. At a young age Underhill discovered Salt-N-Pepa.
“That’s when I fell in love with music,” she said.
She also lists Brandy, Beyonce, and Janet Jackson as being among the other captivating artists that drew her closer to the radio.
According to Underhill, at 13, her engagement with music deepened following the loss of her dad. Songwriting in particular became a therapeutic tool for her to express feelings.
DJ origin story
Upon graduating from Northern Nash High School in 2001, Underhill attended Fayetteville State University (FSU).
“It’s nothing like a HBCU,” she said, emphasizing the impact of being surrounded by people with a similar background.
While at FSU, Underhill majored in communications and ultimately landed an internship at Foxy 99.1 radio station. Following that, she returned to Rocky Mount where she completed another internship at Power 95.5. It was during her time working at radio stations that a colleague first implanted the idea of becoming a DJ.
“I just kept that in the back of my mind,” she said.
In 20ll, the idea came to fruition, following a trip that Underhill took to Nevada. There, she saw another woman DJing, which inspired her next steps. “I’m going to do that when I get back home,” she recounted.
Underhill called upon a friend from high school who taught her how to use the equipment. After committing seven months to learning and investing in the craft, she landed her first gig. She returned to her high school alma mater for the class reunion held that year.
There, she made her debut as M.U. The DJ.
Beyond the music
“My mom used to tell me all the time, ‘you’re a teacher’,” Underhill said, an idea that she resisted in her earlier years.
Yet, while Underhill is still active in her DJ career, she is currently an educator in Edgecombe County. In 2023, she joined the staff at Tarboro High School (THS) as a digital media specialist. In the year following, she received an opportunity to bring her passion for music to the classroom as the audio engineer instructor.
“I feel like it (DJing) taught me timing and culture. You have to know what your crowd is so you can know what type of music to play. I’ve always loved music, and I feel like I’ve always had an ear for music, but this class definitely opened up and made my ear better.”
Jeanyzha Jenkins, a.k.a. DJ Jeanie In A Bottle, senior at Tarboro High School
Most of all, Underhill enjoys building relationships with her students. She draws parallels between teaching and DJing, highlighting the significance of being able to “read your audience.”
“Every gig is not the same. Every day in the classroom is not the same. So you have to be adaptable,” she added.
For Underhill, the course goes beyond music. Before students are introduced to the Pioneer DJ controllers, they spend the initial weeks of the class learning about the history of hip hop. Additionally, Underhill requires students to do presentations that explore various aspects of DJing, including business practices needed to be successful in the industry. Overall, students learn about the entrepreneurship of DJing.
“(DJing) taught me discipline and confidence because to be a good DJ, you need good confidence. And to be a better DJ you’d also need the time management and then the time expenditure to listen to the songs that some people would give you that will brighten up your palette of music.”
Kendrick Coffield, a.k.a. DJ Code Shadow, senior at Tarboro High School
By the end of the course, students must be able to complete a performance-based measurement. It consists of students curating a 10-minute set where they are graded on elements such as timing, transitions, and usage of effects.
At the conclusion of the first semester offering the class, Underhill recalls crying and feeling thoroughly impressed, particularly by the final performance from the girls in her class. Initially, she was unsure if they would be interested. Now, they routinely visit her class to continue sharpening their skills.
THS senior Jazzmyn ‘DJ Cover Girl’ Cotten said that the class showed “community and connection, along with the culture.” Her friend and audio engineering classmate, Jeanyzha ‘DJ Jeanie In A Bottle’ Jenkins, shared that it also taught her timing and culture, while further developing her ear for music.
“I’m glad that I get to introduce it to them,” Underhill said.
She recognized her class as “something different, where they can be creative and just be themselves when they come in here.”
Where to now?
Looking ahead, Underhill desires to grow the course. She seeks to acquire more DJing equipment that will further provide her students access to learning the art. Additionally, she aims to gather resources to include activities like podcasting, beat making, and other music production.
Outside of the school, Underhill has her own ambitions, demonstrating for her students what it’s like to dream. In an ideal world, Underhill imagines hitting the road to become Beyonce’s DJ. Additionally, she envisions the day that she has the opportunity to DJ for both the Essence Festival and the Charlotte Hornets.
Those days may be closer than ever before. Ebony Magazine recently recognized her as one of this year’s “Female Music Creators to Know.”
In the meantime, Underhill is continuing her focus of promoting culture, community, and connection in the classroom.
