I don't think I have the words to fully explain how amazing the first edition of dyaṣphönic.dance was earlier this month! You'd think after organizing events for years I'd be less anxious, but no. It was my first solo event and my nerves were all over the place, but all was MORE than well! I really want to thank our DJs Bonita Appleblunt and Cobra B, our event sponsor Bayab Gin (those drinks were amazing and y'all knew it by the way you bought them OUT!), and lastly all of you who came and...
25 days ago • 1 min read
Happy *actual* New Year to you and yours! Spring has sprung, and I'm sure, like myself, you've been navigating a lot through these multitudes of mercury retrogrades, venusian reverses (or whatever their called), etc. etc. that the planets have us down here suffering through. I admittedly had been having one of the roughest times of my life last month (hello eclipsing saturn's return), which made it incredibly difficult and complicated to share something I've been long been dreaming up and...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Happy New Year to you (if you celebrate January as such)! My personal new year is Spring, but I'm down for whatever reminds us that each new day is a new opportunity to try again. Which is why you're hearing from me. It's been a minute since we last typed: TikTok was still scrollable, my name was "Diaspora" (it's now Dyaspara, pronounced the same), he who will not be named was not entering office, there was no Kendrick Lamar vs Drake beef (at least publicly), and who had even heard of a...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Remember when I predicted more Afrobeats artists would collaborate with African American ones this year? Well, it's already happening. And quite swiftly at that. This is bittersweet for me. A bit hot and cold, if you will. Hot: Black unity! Y'all know I am here for people of the African Diaspora collaborating and creating entirely new sounds. Something special always happens when elements of our music blend. It's the main way we begin to rebuild the bridges that have disconnected us (*cough*...
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
For some of us December isn't *really* the end of the year, and for others it's the perfect time to start thinking about and planning for what's to come. Regardless, I do think this season has a way of forcing us all to reflect. The tried + true Taurus in me hates change—which is why it makes sense that I'm scratching my head at the idea of what Afrobeats could sound like in 2024. As a deep lover of the genre, I'm often screaming "bring back 2016 Afrobeats!' It's why I love Davido's "E PAIN...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
click to watch In 2018 I joined Party Noire, an events collective centering Black women, femmes, and queer folks in Chicago, after returning home from university. I'll sum up my college sob story by saying college was very lonely and boring for me. I was so excited to return to the city as an adult me; a me more confident and sure of myself than I was when I was growing up here. Since working with the collective, I've learned some important lessons, gained opportunities, and most importantly,...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
When I first began deejaying, I was far too concerned with securing gigs. Naturally, I wanted to finally start sharing the music I was mixing in my bedroom in public. Thanks to a collective I work with called Party Noire I as able to begin deejaying at events and quickly learned the importance of balancing the music that speaks to my soul with the music the masses want to hear. DJ Lesson #1: Read the crowd. There is no crowd when you're deejaying alone, and if you're mixing with a friend,...
over 1 year ago • 4 min read
Find me 🎛 One of my favorite festivals in Chicago is BYCK! Passport Vibes: Afrobeat Street Festival is happening this Saturday—and it's FREE.99! I'm on at 3 pm at the indoor stage! Chill with me as you cool off from the Chicago heat, and stay for Major League DJz who are closing out the festival! ICYMI We had another ICONIC night on July 4 for Party Noire's Black Pride. Press play. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Was this sent to you by a friend? Make sure to subscribe and read past...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Find me 🎛 Calling all 'Piano People! It's a busy weekend for Chicago (Happy Juneteenth weekend!), but The Promontory is thee place to be tonight! Amongst all the happenings, our favorite uncle, Uncle Waffles, will be spinning and I'm very excited to be opening up for her. I'm on from 10 pm to 11:30 pm, then I'll be closing out the night at 2 am. Let's dance! ICYMI I have a backlog of sets for you all to listen to on Soundcloud. From Party Noire's Deep Rooted to Citrus FM. Press play. I hope...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read