Globalization has allowed artists connect the dots between different like-minded international scenes growing in parallel all around the world, and we’re truly thankful for that. This isn’t just a random thought in the air, but one triggered by a recent mix that link up two collectives: Latin America’s NAAFI and Africa’s NON Records – it’s a match that is both unexpected and totally logical. The mix, titled NON VS NAAFI, is a comprehensive display of the musical meeting places shared by both crews.
It gathers producers from all over both continents, from countries like Uruguay, South Africa, Nigeria, Chile, Mexico, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and more, although it all sounds like it comes from a place that’s out of this world. Producers like Lao, ANGEL-HO, Zut Zut, Chino Amobi, Ferai, and Paul Marmota, among others, are known for mixing and bending genres in an out-of-the-box, unique way, and that’s what they give us here and what pops from start to finish.
Alternating between NAAFI and NON artists, the mix goes from the abstract to the highly rhythmic, from sampling dog barks and the infamous Psycho strings, to sampling Rihanna and “Ha Sound.” There’s an underlying dark vibe, and we get enormous dance moments that flip reggaeton, funk carioca, voguing, grime, and more, but we mostly are struck by the experimentation on the record (and lots of SFX.)
The mix came with a limited-edition line of t-shirts and sweatshirts that mash up the two crew logos, (which is sadly already sold out.) Still, you can download NAAFI VS NON for free right now.
Tracklist:
Moro – Arrepientanse (NON)
Lao – Caracol Ha (NAAFI)
Angel-Ho – Removals (NON)
OMAAR – Imaginary Friends (NAAFI)
Farai – The Sinner (NON)
Lechuga Zafiro – 130 Volt Spatina (NAAFI)
Lechuga Zafiro – 130 MCK2 (NAAFI)
Rabit – Tenhi3 (NON)
Lechuga Zafiro – Orquidea T-1000 (NAAFI)
ANGEL-HO, Rabit, Chino Amobi – Treaty (NON)
Zut Zut – Metele (NAAFI)
NKISI – Collective Self Defence (NON)
Paul Marmota – Aire (NAAFI)
Chino Amobi – Disturbia Remix (NON)
Lao – Melting Scheme (NAAFI)
1127 – SUB02 (Chino Amobi Remix) (NON)