Mexican collective NAAFI’s big international splash is about to hit Los Angeles, as they’re set to make their city debut this weekend. On July 16, they’re participating in the Red Bull Music Academy Radio re-launch celebrations being held this week. Imaabs, Fausto Bahía, Mexican Jihad, and Paul Marmota will smash the second room of Pollution:Studios, where a new edition of La Transición – an up-and-coming underground warehouse party that highlights some of the best electronic artists in the area – is taking place. And they’re bringing friends, too, as Elysia Crampton will both perform live and DJ, and more special surprise guests are expected. Remember, Kelela and House of Kenzo showed up at their SXSW set this year, so expectations are running pretty high.
Ahead of this special show, the Mexico City crew is previewing their forthcoming joint release with African diasporic collective NON Records. Lao, Zutzut, Imaabs, ANGEL-HO, Chino Amobi, Elysia Crampton, Mhysa, and Nkisi spent time working with 18-year-old Brooklyn singer EMBACI at the Red Bull Studios in NYC, and the result will most likely be something to write home about. But you don’t have to just imagine it, since they have kindly shared Lao’s mix of EMBACI’s “Frequency.”
The track features the young singer improvising lyrics to the bouncy, punchy beat. Her unrefined vocals sit comfortably beside the sharp staccato synth notes and rippling claps. And while you’re at it, don’t miss EMBACI’s collaboration with ANGEL-HO, the harsher “Angel Calling Embaci.”
https://soundcloud.com/non-records-1/angel-ho-embaci-remix-1
The RBMA: Live from LA pop-up also features special live shows from PC Music and United States of Bass (DJ Quik, Egyptian Lover, Big Freedia, Mike Q), as well as a conversation with filmmaker Gaspar Noé. Get your tickets here.
NAAFI makes its Los Angeles debut on July 16, 2016 at 10 p.m.