welcome to afropunk: gaika

Every year, the AFROPUNK Festivals around the world welcome many new and young artists to its stages for the first time. This year, we decided to ask a few of them to introduce themselves to the AFROPUNK audience by answering some questions about who they are, where they come from, why they do what they do, and what brought them here.  This time around, it’s Gaika, the Brixton-born futurist who’ll bring his beats to Atlanta in October — and whose new track, “Hackers & Jackers,” you can check below.

Place of Birth and/or Residence:

London, England

Short Description of What You Do:

I make art in the form of music, films and installations.

What are your favorite things about where you are from, and what are your favorite things about local black culture where you are from?

Good Caribbean food, all of it. My favourite thing about where I’m from IS the black culture where I’m from, especially the eats.

If there was one or two core thoughts/ideas that you want your music to convey, what are they?

I want to convey the truth unflinchingly and I want people to see  all the love lurking in the shadow.

What is your most recent musical project? What separates it from your previous musical/creative projects?

My latest musical project is my album, Basic Volume. It is my most detailed and cohesive, and also my most personal work to date. It took me two years non stop to create.

When did you first hear of AFROPUNK? or Do you have any firsthand AFROPUNK experiences of your own?

I first heard of AFROPUNK maybe three years ago and it blew my mind. The first time I went was to perform in Paris, and it was one of the greatest shows I’ve played. I think the black audience, whilst tough to impress, are often the warmest and most supportive. 

What are you looking forward to most when you play at AFROPUNK?

I most looking forward to returning to Atlanta. I went during the album recording process, rented a house and stayed a while, incognito-like. It’s the best place.

Anything else you want to say to the AFROPUNK audience as a way of introduction?

Stay blessed, let’s link in October

Catch Gaika at AFROPUNK ATLANTA 2018! Tickets available HERE.