Selections: TYGAPAW
In this regular feature, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their Bandcamp crates and share the contents of their digital collections. This week, as they celebrate the release of their debut LP, ‘Get Free’, TYGAPAW highlights hypnotic rhythms and high-octane rave cuts from their local New York scene and beyond
Clubs around the world are shut, and opportunities to find new music out in the wild have been ripped from under our feet as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While hearing new music played out by your favourite DJs will have to be put on hold due to these unprecedented circumstances, it’s never been easier, or more important, to support the artists and labels putting out EPs, albums and compilations in the midst of all the madness.
With tour cancellations and festival postponements leaving many members of the international electronic music community out of pocket, Bandcamp has become an even more vital platform for supporting the music you love, with 80% of all sales from the online music store going directly to artists and labels. In March, the platform announced it would be waiving its revenue share for all sales for one day, and on Friday 20th, took no cut from purchases made. In total, $4.3 million was spent on music over the course of 24 hours, all going straight to the creators. Throughout lockdown, Bandcamp continued to waive their fees on the first Friday of every month, as well as on 19th June (Juneteenth), when the platform donated 100% of its profits to the NAACP Legal Defence Fund. In July, it was announced that a fee-free "Bandcamp Friday" would take place on the first Friday of each month for the rest of 2020.
In this series, Selections, we’re inviting DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. In lieu of opportunities to discover new records on the dancefloor, Selections – along with radio shows and mixes – will give you the chance to nab sounds from the crates of tastemakers, and support the artists behind them while you’re at it. Win-win, right?
This week TYGAPAW highlights hypnotic rhythms and high-octane rave cuts from their local New York scene and beyond. The Brooklyn-based, Jamaican DJ, producer and multi-disciplinary artist released their debut album, ‘Get Free’, this month via N.A.A.F.I. An 11-track collection of hard-hitting, cathartic energy, it explores “the idea of personal freedom using techno landscapes”, and draws visual influence from Detroit’s New Dance Show, with images shot by Avion Pearce.
“‘Get Free’ explores what it is to actively dismantle imagined limitations, to eradicate the bondage of self doubt, to forge ahead with love and light, to liberate the body and mind,” says TYGAPAW of the album. “It puts the process of self discovery and owning of ones’ entire self to the forefront, with a soundtrack that relentlessly pulses and moves with intention.”
LA-based artist Mandy Harris Williams features on four tracks across the album, offering powerful, poetic mantras against its mesmerising and raw electronic backdrop. The record is fierce and gripping as it veers from robust techno workouts into strands of jungle and breakbeat. You can buy it here.
Check out TYGAPAW’s Selections below.
“I put this track from AceMo in the FACT mix I did recently to celebrate my album release. This track just has everything I love in a dance track. The emotional chords, breaks and vocals that pull you in.”
Buy via LSDXOXO’s website
“Honestly, LSDXOXO is one of my absolute favorite producers. I’ve been playing his music in my DJ sets from the time I started DJing. We’re friends so it just makes loving the music a highlight. ‘Taking Me High’ is classic LSDXOXO rave fire and I’ve already started to rinse this track in my mixes.”
“I just really love a solid vocal sample on a club track. What more can I say, this song is fire. The vibe is just right.”
“SENTIMENTAL RAVE is one of my favourite DJs. I had the pleasure of meeting them in Leipzig last year when we were on the same line-up for Balance festival. Their sets are the right kind of sonic intensity that I live for.”
“Another favourite of mine. Nkisi’s DJ sets are on another dimension, and her productions follow suit. We met years ago in NYC when she was there to perform at Red Bull music academy for NON vs N.A.A.F.I and I’ve been a fan ever since. Forever inspired by her and her music.”
“I got put on to Huey Mnemonic’s latest release by my roommate Russell E.L Butler, who mastered their album. But I realized I’ve been playing his music in my sets for the past year or so. I love just discovering music by going through the recommendations once you play a track, and you can just go down a rabbit hole on that platform. [There is] so much music, but all I have is time now, so I’m enjoying finding gems along the way. Huey Mnemonic’s catalogue is all gems in my humble opinion. This track is definitely a highlight.”
“Absolutely one of my favorite club tracks. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve played this in my sets. This list wouldn’t be complete without it. It just has that energy that I absolutely love, and it has rhythm and soul in an electronic track. Also the track name is kinda funny, because I do feel like they took me to techno church.”
“Recently came across this track. Of course the vocal sample pulled me in, but the way the breaks are chopped is the attraction for me. It’s a really great rave track.”
“Jasmine Infiniti gives nothing but heat. This track just makes me want to get on bad on the dance floor. The moody synth melody is absolutely hypnotizing, and the vocals shifting and twitching adds another layer to the hypnotic rhythm.”
“Absolutely one of the standout tracks from the Haus of Altr compilation that came out earlier this year that highlights the best of emerging talent from the US. When the hats come in at 00:27, the track is irresistible, it pulls you in, and doesn’t let you go til the end. The toms give it that extra push in the rhythm, the melody, composition, basically everything is fire in this track. Just endless groove and vibes.”
