Photo above by Joseph Patrick Conroy
ETHNOFUTURISM = Funk BuddhaRepresenting the Mother Land (South Africa & Zimbabwe), in the 90's, Akim referred to himself as a futuristic MC. He was from Africa, thus the term Afro Futurist. Akim's performance was one of the early forms of Hip Hop that was called African Hip Hop or progressive Hip Hop. Together with his brother Dumi Right, they formed Zimbabwe Legit and collaborated with groups like the X Clan, Black Sheep, etc., also coproducing a track on their EP with D.J Shadow, "Doin' Damage In My Native Language."
Simultaneously during this time, Akim would body paint himself (usually gold) and put on what he would call "Urban Mystic street performances." When Afro Futurism became a term more widely used, Akim decided to focus on referring to himself as an Ethno Futurist who created Ethnic Hip Hop. Now Akim focuses on calling himself "Funk Buddha." Which he defines as the art of breaking myths while building bridges. ARTIFICIAL AFRICA / A PERFORMANCE BY VERNON REID AKIM FUNK BUDDHA - Dancer choreographer, MC, Throat singer DJ Leon |
FUNK BUDDHA BONSAI LAB
Exploring time and space and elevating the art form with the most interesting group of urban experimental dancers in New York. The Bonsai Lab features movers and shapeshifters from various dance styles to perform cultural alchemy.
"THE ART OF DANCE"
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Documentary Film, Associate Producer
more info to come! |
Akim (center) with Principal Dancer Jessica Ho (above)
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URBAN ORCHESTRA
Live music performance troupe featuring:
Rima Fand (violin), Jerome Jordan (guitar), Howard Gibbs (drums), Nong (drums), Michiko Takatani (keys), Kenji Tokunaga (bass), Helen Yee (violin), Anastasia Golenisheva (cello), Nagi Okamoto (tenor sax), Kappa Tanabe (guitar)
Rima Fand (violin), Jerome Jordan (guitar), Howard Gibbs (drums), Nong (drums), Michiko Takatani (keys), Kenji Tokunaga (bass), Helen Yee (violin), Anastasia Golenisheva (cello), Nagi Okamoto (tenor sax), Kappa Tanabe (guitar)
BATSU! NYC
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Artistic Consultant for the best live action Japanese-themed improv comedy show in the Lower East Side
batsulive.com/new-york |
ARTIST REPRESENTATION / EVENT CURATION
description coming...
YUZU | BASHIRI JOHNSON
Akim Funk Buddha is now the Executive Director of Yuzu, a Japanese singer/songwriter, who recently signed a record deal with Bashiri Johnson's Life in Rhythm Media label. Bashiri Johnson is a producer and percussionist who has worked with international superstars including Madonna, Sting, Lionel Ritchie and was part of Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' movie and tour. This has set the stage and now Yuzu, collaborating with Bashiri and Akim, is in the process of cultivating a new sound that is bound to takes audiences by storm.
Yuzu has come to New York to share her voice and the electric Koto, her instrument. The traditional Koto is an ancient instrument that goes back thousands of years. The electric Koto creates a distinctive original Japanese sound and is tuned to sychronize with the western music scale. Yuzu's style of music is "Urban Folk". It combines both urban and traditional elements, from the types of instruments played to the subject matter of her songs.
At a time when listeners and audiences are looking for something new and different in a crowded musical field, Yuzu is certain to provide a sound that is quite unlike anything you have heard before.
yuzumusic.net
Yuzu has come to New York to share her voice and the electric Koto, her instrument. The traditional Koto is an ancient instrument that goes back thousands of years. The electric Koto creates a distinctive original Japanese sound and is tuned to sychronize with the western music scale. Yuzu's style of music is "Urban Folk". It combines both urban and traditional elements, from the types of instruments played to the subject matter of her songs.
At a time when listeners and audiences are looking for something new and different in a crowded musical field, Yuzu is certain to provide a sound that is quite unlike anything you have heard before.
yuzumusic.net
PAST PROJECTS
My history goes waaaaaaaay back. Here is a brief list for now. More content coming soon!
Zimbabwe Legit (Gold School Hip Hop Duo: Akim Funk Buddha and Dumi Right)
Dha Fuzion (Global Music Experience, Resident at venue Baby Jupiter, NYC)
Nomadic Lotus (traveling street theater group, NYC)
Master Force (OG break dance crew in 1980's Zimbabwe)
Angela Jones + Akim Funk Buddha (aerial and body balancing)
Waacktropolis (NY underground dance party focusing on waacking and live performances, with Princess Lockerooo)
with contributions to:
The Danger (epic NY underground events founded by William Etundi / Performance Artist, Spontaneous Ritual and Audience Activation)
Projectile Arts (Arts Collective, founded by Casey Meade / Head of Dept of Urban Affairs)
Zimbabwe Legit (Gold School Hip Hop Duo: Akim Funk Buddha and Dumi Right)
Dha Fuzion (Global Music Experience, Resident at venue Baby Jupiter, NYC)
Nomadic Lotus (traveling street theater group, NYC)
Master Force (OG break dance crew in 1980's Zimbabwe)
Angela Jones + Akim Funk Buddha (aerial and body balancing)
Waacktropolis (NY underground dance party focusing on waacking and live performances, with Princess Lockerooo)
with contributions to:
The Danger (epic NY underground events founded by William Etundi / Performance Artist, Spontaneous Ritual and Audience Activation)
Projectile Arts (Arts Collective, founded by Casey Meade / Head of Dept of Urban Affairs)
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