Meet Yurley

Some people move through life with a spark you notice before they say a word.

At 21, living in the charming neighborhood of Fagerborg in Oslo, Yurley is one of those people; bold, energetic, and driven, with just the right amount of stubbornness to make things happen. Whether she’s working toward something big or navigating the everyday, she meets it all head-on, carried by confidence and momentum.

There’s a vividness to her presence, the kind that makes you think she was made to take up space, not loudly, but unmistakably.

Let’s Talk About Passion

Dance might seem like a cliché passion, but for Yurley it’s a cliché for a reason. For her, dance is more than movement; it’s how she expresses emotion and responds to music. It makes her feel strong, alive, and free. When she dances, everything else fades away.

But dance, to her, is also deeply rooted in culture. It isn’t just steps and routines, it’s shaped by history, community, and the music that carries it. That cultural context, especially within hip-hop, is what gives dance its meaning in her life.

She has always loved dancing. At one point, her parents grew tired of hearing Michael Jackson on repeat in the living room and signed her up at Subsdans dance studio. That’s when everything changed. She discovered styles like popping, hip-hop, and salsa, and she was introduced to the culture behind the moves. It wasn’t just about technique anymore — it was about understanding where it all comes from.

There was never a single defining moment of clarity. But after 15 years of dancing, she knew early on that it would always be part of her life, whether professionally or purely as passion. Music pulled her in first — and the culture surrounding it held her there. In its true form, hip-hop fascinated her: MC’ing, DJ’ing, graffiti, breaking, the whole universe.

"Dance gives me so much back. It brings joy, a sense of freedom, moments of frustration, and a lot of personal growth. It’s how I express myself without needing to speak. It fuels my creativity, whether I’m performing, battling, or working on a TV project. But more than anything, it gives me a sense of belonging", she says. 

 

Your Unexpected Side

One skill that tends to surprise people, at least the ones who don’t know her well, is MC’ing.

That’s short for Master of Ceremonies, and in the world of dance battles, the MC is the one who keeps the energy high and the flow smooth. Yurley stepped into that role in 2019 through Soul Session Oslo. It quickly became something she truly connected with.

People who know her aren’t shocked. She’s outgoing, comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, but even she admits that every single time she steps onto the floor, with all eyes waiting for her first word, her heart is racing. It’s nerve-wracking and thrilling all at once. And the moment she finds the rhythm, it clicks.

MC’ing might seem like a side thing, but it’s a huge part of battle culture, and she has definitely imagined taking it further. One of her biggest dreams? To MC at an international event - perhaps Sweden’s Hip Hop Weekend, where some of her biggest inspirations have performed.

"That would be a full-circle moment for me", she says. 

Someone Who Truly Inspires You

When asked who inspires her, her answer is both simple and expansive: her friends.

"I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a diverse network of people—from dancers to politically engaged thinkers and musicians. What strikes me most is how they each show that success doesn’t have to come from choosing just one path. They pursue different passions and carve out unique lives for themselves, and that inspires me to explore my own interests freely, without feeling the pressure to stick to a single direction", she says.

 

Just for Fun

If there’s one thing she would be absolutely terrible at, it’s chess. Yes, technically a sport. Chess demands patience and long-range strategy. Dance, on the other hand, is movement, emotion, and immediate expression. Chess requires sitting still, thinking ten steps ahead, and maintaining a straight face.

"I’ve tried playing it a few times, and I am usually very into it, and then the patterns, and hard thinking comes, and I just fall out of it so fast. It’s just a completely different mindset", she says. 

She goes on to saying she appreciates the skill it takes, but in a tournament, she jokes she would probably lose in the first five moves. Unless, of course, someone creates a faster, more chaotic version of chess with music and movement.

"Then I might stand a chance!", she laughs.