Recap: SUPAFRIK at FNLROM

Thank you for joining us at Royal Ontario Museum earlier this February as we programmed and activated some spaces for their #FNLROM Black History Month Special. We converted the Rotunda into “The Afro Lounge” and Bronfman Hall became “SUPAFRIK Central”.

The Afro Lounge: Designer Chinedu Ukabam invited FNLROM guests to the coolest new spot in town, “The Afro Lounge” where they could order Suya, grab a drink, and play the African strategy game Oware(also called Ayo or Mancala). There was also a dressing room in the back to try on exclusive pieces from ILU, his unreleased Chinedesign summer collection inspired by Igbo proverbs from Nigeria and the ROM exhibition Art, Honour, and Ridicule: Asafo Flags from Southern Ghana. Photographer Jalani Morgan was on hand to capture images for an interactive lookbook edited by Maz Osman. You can find the look-book we created on our page.

SUPAFRIK Central: To bring the #SUPAFRIK effect to the ROM,we assembled an art-dance-food party. It featured some new talent like ADL dance crew as well as frequent collaborators like Golden Stool Restaurant (whose Jollof rice was sold out before 10pm!), DJ Revy B and DJ Deemaks, who debuted a live Afrobeats video mix. By the time the spontaneous electric slide broke out in the middle of an Afro house set, it was clear that this was one of the best FNLROMs yet!

Stay tuned for what we have coming up in spring!

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DJ RQAway on: “The Sound of New Orleans”

New Orleans native DJ RQ Away will be our featured guest DJ at tomorrow’s GUMBO! He has made a name for himself by being able to create a distinct vibe no matter where he spins. His eclectic sound and ability to bend genres has captured ears in intimate spaces of downtown New Orleans, neighborhood bars in Brooklyn and the pubs of London.

For a decade DJ RQ Away’s career has thrived off his unique artistry and leadership. In addition to curating inimitable experiences that strengthen community ties through dance he also operates as Founder and lead organizer of the citywide brand, #AWAYTEAM. His high quality works have made him a beloved household name as well as the go to DJ for worldwide acts and brands like Robert Glasper, The Foreign Exchange, Erykah Badu and Bilal. DJ RQAway recently put together an exclusive mix from the Gumbo crew highlighting the sounds of New Orleans so we picked his brain about the history and happenings of his hometown music scene.

DJ RQ Away. NOLA’s Finest DJ. These are his tees too and you’ll spot them all over the city.

You come from a city with a rich and varied musical heritage. Tell us briefly about the music scene in Nola today?

The music scene in NOLA is as it has always been in the sense that it is a sampling of a hometown interpretation of the many influences and styles that come here from all over the world. It’s hard to give a simple answer as we have so many different things happening here all the time artist like Trombone Shorty and Christian Scott carry the New Orleans’ banner across the world via Jazz and their own tailored version of that and many other genres. Tank and the Bangas are the closet thing we have to The Roots (in my opinion) consistently creating a unique showing of sound via R&B, Rap, Hip Hop, and Poetry. Artist like Dominic Minx create their own sound from pieces of Rock, Hip Hop, and Jazz, while Chase N. Cash and Ciel Rouge carry their own unique interpretations of the classic Hip Hop sound. Artist Like Chris Royal, Stefan Rene(Prosper Jone$), Mykia Jovan, and so many others share powerful sounds from across genre’s all while sharing the love for music that is truly New Orleans. This is definitely a short answer. 

GUMBO coming to Montreal!

MONTREAL! Gumbo is back again by popular demand! Thank you for making our debut in Summer 16  a smash! Use code SUPAFRIK for $5 off here:  http://GumboMTL.eventbrite.ca

We’re coming with a top DJ in the Afrobeats scene: Deemaks. He’ll be joined by Toronto vet DJ Sean Sax and MTL hometown heroes Mr. Toure (Qualite De Luxe) and Bonbon Kojak(Moonshine). Together they will chop it down and mash it up to create a very special edition of the Afro GUMBO mix. It’s carnival season from Brazil to New Orleans to Trinidad so get ready for bacchanal! Tell a friend to bring a friend to the most anticipated international party coming to Montreal! Brought to you in partnership with Fockus, CME and Oasis MTL.

Use code SUPAFRIK for $5 off here:  http://GumboMTL.eventbrite.ca

Here’s a flashback to our first time in Montreal (Gumbo 5) with DJ Camron, Sean Sax, Mr. Toure and Don Barbarino. Pure vibes! If you were there you already know. If you were not, come see for yourself at the next one! We are looking forward to rocking with the MTL fam again!

Bounce, Skate and Masquerade with GUMBO

*Toronto* We’re kicking off 2017 with another “Back to Back” edition of GUMBO (2 events in 1 night). This time last year we took you from FNLROM at Royal Ontario Museum to Tattoo on Queen West. This year the party starts at 7pm on the ice rink at Harbourfront(25 Queen’s Quay) for a GUMBOfied DJ Skate Night featuring DJ Revy B and at 11pm it moves over to The Vault, a few minutes away, for a Masquerade Jam. Masks are mandatory at the jam until 1am. Style code: Have fun with your outfit. Swanky. Dapper. Daring. Funky. Festive. Whatever floats your boat.

#WeAreGumbo is about connecting the musical dots widely and authentically. February is carnival time from Trinidad to Brazil and it’s also Mardi Gras season in New Orleans where our special guest DJ RQAway calls home. Last time we were in his city for GUMBO 3, he lit up the dancefloor with the energetic hometown sounds of Nola Bounce and Second Line brass band music and now we will give you a taste of New Orleans in Toronto! S-Quire will hold it down with the Soca and Revy B will keep the Afrobeats flowing. A carnivalesque Afro-diasporic journey into sound taking place inside a transformed bank vault? You don’t want to miss!

Get your early bird tickets: http://gumbo10.eventbrite.ca
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1069580976502302/?active_tab=discussion

 

 

Happy 2017 SUPAFRIKs!

 Happy New Year! Best wishes to all our followers and past and future teamsters/collaborators/partners.
Supafrik is up to something in the oh-1-seven!
Stay tuned to this channel. Exciting times up ahead!
Upcoming dates:


February 3: SUPAFRIK Central/Afro Lounge at FNLROM (Royal Ontario Museum) 
February 4: GUMBO Montreal (Artgang Montreal) 
February 11: GUMBO on Ice ( Harbourfront Centre) + Masquerade Party!