TNG recently received a grant from the Samantha Ronson Center for Turntable Studies and Cultural Affairs to profile D.C. area queer DJs. In this first installment, we profile DJ Natty Boom, who’s spun benefits and house parties galore, at Be Bar, and takes her turn at the ones and twos at tonight’s Blacklight.

TNG: Do you feel like people see you as a black, queer DJ and make assumptions about the type of music you’ll play?

Natty Boom: Heck yes. People see me as a lot of things and make assumptions about the type of music I play. I’ve been approached by dudes to DJ because they “need” a black woman DJ. I’ve been approached by straights who “need” some gayety at their event. I’ve been approached by homos who are looking to diversify their audience. On one hand it’s great that communities are acknowledging a disparity between dude and chick DJs (especially chicks of color, or CoC), on the other hand, it can be unfortunate that my music choice and (pseudo) talent takes a back seat to my identity.

I feel much more excited doing a gig because the organizers like what they hear and/or appreciate the work it takes to prepare a DJ set that isn’t full of degrading and negative stereotypes, and supports underrepresented artists.

TNG: Do you get to queer it up with some of your Blacklight selections?

NB: I guess my wardrobe selections are always queering it up, and, I have multiple fagulous wardrobe changes for tonight. Seriously, I definitely support queer artists. One of the most interesting gay artists I’ve researched is Labi Siffre. He’s a poet, songwriter, and activist who wrote the song sampled in Eminem’s really homophobic “My Name Is”. Dude is a staunch advocate of freedom of speech, but wouldn’t let Eminem use the song without changing one particularly disturbing line. Also, Sylvester is my main man.

TNG: What’s the vibe at Blacklight?

NB: It feels good like a Hitachi Magic Wand. Don’t expect slow or mellow from me.

TNG: What do you get psyched about playing at Blacklight that you might not play at other nights you DJ?

NB: I’m only playing prog rock. JK. I look forward to playing a lot of artists that don’t always fit in other events. Specifically folks like TV on the Radio, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Bloc Party, PPP, Cymande, Roy Ayers . . . I could go on. But seriously, Coach, we need to have another Styx and Supertramp date soon.

Aw man, busted. See you tonight at Blacklight–I’ll be wearing the Emerson, Lake, and Palmer t-shirt. Homo DJs, if you want to tell us more about a night you’re spinning, or the queerology of your set list, hit us up at info@thenewgay.net or rock our personal email boxes.