Interview: Natalie Williams of Prosper.
Tags: Bass, Sex Work, Mental Health, Drum And Bass, Electronic Music

Interview: Natalie Williams of Prosper.

Natalie Williams: recognized on stage as Prosper. Natalie is a rising Philadelphia based DJ known for her highly energetic DNB sets. Most recently Natalie was seen opening for Black Carl in The Black Box and is set to play several upcoming festivals nation wide. Get to know the playful spirit and dynamic personality of one of the mid-atlantics sickest up and coming artist. SPREAD 1 day ago·6 min read

You currently live in Philadelphia- are you born and raised in Philly?

I’m actually not- I was born in Honolulu. My family moved back when I was one, once my dad left the army. This is where my dad grew up. My mother’s from South Korea. They met when he was stationed there. I have pretty much lived IN Philadelphia all my life- which is lovely because I f*cking love Philly. It’s really hard for me to want to leave. I spent most of my life here and it’s like also shaped me to who I am today.

The music scene in Philly- when did you start getting involved with that? Were you young?

Yeah, actually pretty young. I started going to concerts when I was 14. I learned a lot about music through my sister- she’s older than me. I would go to shows with her and her older friends. Our parents are pretty young. We got our sense of a good music from them. House music, Techno, R&B and Hip-Hop. It’s really played a role to this day. I also go to see jam bands- Lotus and Dark Star Orchestra. That’s also played a huge role.

I really like electronic music. Philly is a massive city, and there’s a big underground scene. Over the years, as I got older, I would go to shows by myself. Once I graduated from high school I stuck with the Aspire Higher dudes out here.

Over the years it has definitely evolved into a bigger music community- more artists are moving here, it’s just a nice hub to be in.

When did you decide, “I’m going to buy my own controller and play around with this”?

I think it was after the first Yonderville ever. At that point I was a flow artist, performing and being really exposed to working at shows. I was also around my friends who already make music. It was kind of hard not to want to do it.

You see the passion in DJs and you realize you have the same passion. It makes a huge difference having support around you. One night I decided, “Okay, I want to do this.” I have a friend that really talked me into that night. He’s like, “I think you should really do it.”

That was the beginning of it; however, what really made me want to dive into the shed was going out to London and going to underground raves at all the club nights out there.

When were you in London?

2019. I started going every month.

It’s such a beautiful thing that I’m very grateful to have experienced.

Your selection seems to be heavily drum and bass influenced- I was just wondering if that was something that you’re embracing?

Yes. I want to change that because I do really enjoy 140. I want to be able to mix like multiple genres, even outside of electronic music and have that fluidity so I can represent all the music that made me who I am or helped my tastes.

You opened up at The Black Box on August 27th. You and Black Carl are friends,correct?

Yeah, we’ve been friends for a bit now.

It’s been nice to see him grow as an artist- it’s very inspiring because it’s someone that’s very close to me and another person of color making a name for himself organically.

Being a person of color, also a woman and also someone open-ended- I would definitely like to see more people of color on stage. That brings diversity and allows us to break away from hatred and prejudice.

As a woman of color do you feel like you’re empowered to do what you do or do you feel like you have to work that much harder to prove yourself?

I do feel empowered and I do also have to work harder. A lot of music came from black communities. I do it to prove to myself that even with a history of our people not being able to do certain things, that we can have that now. The time is now to do that.

People see that and they’re validated in their own experiences. I also do post online pretty frequently about the disorders that I deal with on a daily basis.

It’s allowed people to feel comfortable enough to message me and be like, “Hey, I’m dealing with the same thing. Thank you so much for being open.” I’m really grateful for that because obviously a lot of us know what it’s like to deal with a mental disorder and being told we’re crazy for it.

Feeling discouraged to even talk about our feelings- feeling like nobody wants to listen to them- I want to be an example of openness. That it’s okay. Because being vulnerable, there is no shame in that.

I don’t know why society has pressed this whole thing of holding it in, especially for men. It’s sad because at the end of the day, we’re all human. We all go through our own things. Being vulnerable with yourself, opens you up to this power that not many people can access because they’re not like feeling their feelings. They’re unable to channel it.

Being vulnerable as an artist is the key to making your craft. You don’t have to be an artist to do it, but opening up also prevents you from blowing up. When you keep holding it in, sorta like a ball of rubber bands, it pops eventually.

Where did prosper come from?

Prosperity and abundance. Doesn’t have to be financial at all. It could be like, just you getting up and killing all your errands. Don’t let anyone stop you.

People perceive so much from an alias.

Then they also perceive so much from your image. They assume everything from, they think they know exactly who you are.

Speaking of your image too- I have conversations like this all the time with my friends- it’s one thing to be a woman, but then it’s another thing to be and absolutely beautiful woman based on societal standards. People either love you or they hate you-

I do get that. Even when I’m on stage, I wear covered stuff. I don’t want to be up there and the focus be “This girl has tits, look at that ass.” Get out of your head and listen and enjoy yourself. I’ve heard of pretty privilege. I don’t want to be treated differently because I’m pretty.

I get enough of that beyond the decks, at the gas station.

Can we talk about the way sex work plays a role in your life?

Honestly, it’s helped. Dancing has helped me financially support myself. It’s allowed me to go out to travel, get experience and discover other genres that may be up my alley.

It’s also helped me get over the fear of what other people will think of me. That’s another vulnerability. You’re putting yourself out there, especially when it comes to your body.

In what ways does sex work influences your life as a musician? There are people who will know you through your sex work and then see you as a musician. What would you say to those that see you in that capacity?

I hope they see me as an artist. Cause that’s what you are. I mean, when you’re dancing. I’m hired as an entertainer. It ties into my flow arts, my musicality and love. It’s connecting with music and being able to put on a show- similar to when a DJ puts on a song for you, making sure they have the energy rolling. It’s awesome. I love it. Society views sex work as not work. It is work, it’s a lot, it’s very emotionally taxing.There’s a lot of physical labor. It’s sad that people don’t see sex workers as entrepreneurial arts, because that’s what they are.

It builds a lot of skill sets that school won’t teach you. I learned a lot through sex work and if it wasn’t for sex work, I probably wouldn’t be right here right now.