Miami Carnival Through the Eyes of a Sound Curator

Surrounded by go-getters and artistically-intuned family members, Jordan built his creative foundation in Toronto by dabbling in underground circles. Starting in 2019 through experimenting with art, fashion and styling, he quickly realized music was always an underlying outlet he returned to. Today, he is known for curating global sound spaces for Caribbean and POC youth of all expressions, spanning New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and London. His most recent endeavour was a partnership with photographer Micheal Grant to capture the intricacies of Miami Carnival through the lens of a sound curator, emphasizing the representation of all walks of life. The byproduct of Jordan's music curation is profoundly animated in the photographs through vivid colours, textures, shapes, and spectacles, chronicling the unapologetic essence of Carnival.

How did you emerge into the sound curator space?

I don't like to call myself a DJ and prefer the term sound curator because I create different forms of sound in many different ways. I started interning with fashion brands during New York Fashion Week and saw that many models were also DJs. I wanted to see how I could venture out of fashion and do something more innate, like music, which was around me my entire life. My brothers were promoters and always brought their DJ friends around the house, so I was exposed to the work early on.

I spent a month in October 2019 in one of my friend's houses, which had a full DJ set up, and I would go there after work every day and learn. I don't want to say it was destined to happen, but it was always a facet that was around me.

Tell us how attending Carnival has shaped your experience and development as a sound curator.

Growing up, Soca music was always playing in my house; it's always been around me and backdropped my life. Carnival was a space I attended year after year with my family, and It's a part of who I am and my identity. It feels like home. I love wearing my costume because it takes me back to that feeling I had as a kid.

What one Carnival experience stands out from the rest?

One of my most monumental carnival experiences was a memory of running across the stage and dancing in front of judges at Trinidad's Carnival this year. Being around a group of people and being strongly unified was such a beautiful feeling. We all channelled expression through a costume, no matter your appearance or background. This year, when I crossed the stage, it was our culture's prime time of celebration. Nobody is not smiling; it's a feeling everyone waits for.

When did you and Michael Grant meet, and how did the photography collaboration materialize?

In 2021, I met Michael Grant in Atlanta. I always appreciated his photography work and how he provokingly illuminates the portrayal of the black experience, intersecting class, family, and relationships through subculture. Although we went our separate ways geographically, our hunger to collaborate still lingered. Fast forward to October 2023, we were in the same place at the same time and naturally fell into collaboration.

What did you want to showcase in this project?

I wanted the project to capture Miami's Carnival through the lens of a sound curator. His camera was essentially my eyes. He was capturing moments I wasn't exactly seeing but felt. Across 12 rolls of film, these snippets were happening around me, and I knew they needed to be documented to display the true nature of Carnival. Initially commissioned for two hours, he stayed the whole day, leaving at 10 PM.

Before any photographs were taken, I wanted to emphasize and ensure all forms of blackness and all identities were spotlighted in the carnival space. If Michael saw a guy twerking, I wanted that captured. I desired impactful and vulnerable shots that accurately captured black culture from all experience perspectives. I wanted the uncut and raw parts accentuated because, as a DJ, that’s the parts I stand for.

Why is it essential for you to illustrate Carnival through this perspective, and how does your music shape the experience?

At Carnival, the Caribbean community acts, dresses and maneuvers the space with an energy of celebration. It's a sense of liberation and a space to be ourselves freely. Carnival is the one day of the year where people can exist without limitations, so I'll play the music that ignites that spark and channels who they are. No matter the gender identity or background, you'll see all walks of life dance to the Soca and Dancehall songs I play. I'm creating a sense of unity and celebration through sound that the black community can enjoy.

What does the future of Caribbean sound look like to you?

I see the Caribbean sound expanding worldwide with a very natural growth progression. It's already on that journey, with Caribbean creatives gradually pushing culture in any way they can. In reference to the African community, we've seen how they've been successfully spreading their sound and culture with different forms of regional music. I see exactly this happening to Caribbean sound and culture as well. It's in the hands of Caribbean youth to push this wave, and once people get more acquainted with the sound, Caribbean culture is only going up.

Culture

We Are Ona Is Back in NY

Try it for yourself before the pop-up closes up. The restaurant will be open for a 6-course lunch and 8-course dinner service from May 3rd through 12th.

Reservations can be made here. ‘Hard Copy’ curated by Aaron Stern runs until May 31st.

Culture

Like a Magnet: Memphy

May 08, 2024

From cutting her teeth playing Bushwick’s requisite party spots at 17 to starring in global campaigns, gracing hot-ticket runways, and opening Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour at 22, Memphy’s ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. Growing up in a city surrounded by excess, you learn early on that selectivity is key. And, in just a few years, the Harlem native’s selectivity and firm sense of self has earned her a gravitational pull that parallels the city’s. Yet—speaking to her longtime friend, fellow DJ and nightlife personality Sausha de la Ossa — she remains disarmingly grounded.

“I’ve always just been myself,” Memphy says, shrugging. “People just tend to gravitate towards it.” It’s this unassuming magnetism, coupled with her wit and charisma, that has propelled her to the fore, lauded as both Brooklyn’s “techno princess” and an “it-girl” to the masses.

Memphy and Sausha dialed in over Zoom on a rainy Monday evening in February ahead of a busy NYFW schedule to discuss nightlife, living "in the heart of culture," and blossoming into the public eye.

photography IVAR WIGAN
interview SAUSHA DE LA OSSA
casting director NICO CARMANDAYE
talent MEMPHY – New York Models, models BRADY – Storm, BRANDON – Named, CHAI – Supa, HARRY – Models 1, STEVE, PETE – xDirectn, VUČINA – Established
hair ISSAC POLEON – The Wall Group using Cloud Nine
makeup DASHA TAIVAS
nails SASKIA PUXLEY
photo assistants CASSIA AGYEMAN, CHANTE SAUNDERS
fashion assistants RAHEL BAYAKOON, KIKI LUISALEIXO, TERESA MAGALHAES
hair assistant ROY HAYWARD
makeup assistant NATASHA TERESHKO
videographer LAURA COLADA
music VIOLET WILSON
production STUDIO BAJEK
creative producer OLIVIA ROPER-CALDBECK
associate creative producer LIV SOLOMON
production assistant VALERIIA KUNINA

SAUSHA — Okay, so what’s up? I was honestly excited when I was asked to do this, because I love any chance I get to be on my Wendy Williams shit, so I’m going to really try and embrace it.

MEMPHY — Let’s get into it.

S — But first, let’s talk about how we met because the first time you ever even came into my consciousness, I was at Spectrum or something, chilling by the bar. It had to be 2016 or ’17, something crazy like that. Maybe a little bit later. All of a sudden, I hear somebody from behind me being like, “I just graduated high school today. Yes, I just graduated high school.” I turned the fuck around like, “Who is this little girl? Somebody get her out of here.” I was so shook at the time. It was so funny.

M — [Laughs] And then I looked at you like, “This little girl is me. What’s up?”

S — What was it like growing up in New York?

M — For me, it was cool.

S — I know you fucked your high school bully a little bit.

M — That I did. Honestly growing up in New York was lit. In school we had “out” lunch, which meant that we could leave for the hour so we never really had a cafeteria moment. There were also no proper school sports — I feel like most high schools have a football team or bleachers, whatever.

S — You were just on the streets from a very young fucking age.

M — Yeah. Lunch break and the girls are crossing the street, smoking their cigarettes outside. I was always super down to explore. I would always go to Tompkins and hang out with the skaters, that’s how I really started meeting people. It’s how I met Gia who took me to one of my first raves.

S — And you were always around older people, which I related to. I was always the young one, until you came around and took that crown from me. So, let’s talk about how you got into music. I feel like a lot of people don’t know about your dad and his music legacy.

Read the rest of this cover story in Issue 21.

Culture

The Brooklyn Academy of Music Celebrates Solange and Mikki Shepard

May 06, 2024

Established in 1861, the Brooklyn Academy of Music has evolved into a revered emblem of New York City's cultural scene, passionately dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of performance.

Each year, the academy's programming steals the spotlight at its Spring Benefit gala, showcasing its enduring impact. This year's gala honored the groundbreaking musician and artist Solange, arts producer and arts activist Mikki Shepard, recognizing them as bold visionaries who epitomize BAM's core ethos. Amidst captivating performances by the Alva Rogers Puppet Theater, the mesmerizing melodies of harpist and composer Nailah Hunter, and the soulful tunes of singer-songwriter Beverly Glenn-Copeland, attendees reveled in an evening of artistic brilliance, fueled by the electrifying sets of DJ Bembona and DJ Lovie.

Photography by Jesper D. Lund

Shepard's unwavering commitment as a BAM consultant and board member was rightfully acknowledged, while Solange's curated Eldorado Ballroom musical series, which drew sold-out crowds last spring featuring luminaries like Kelela and the Clark Sisters, further underscored the duo's profound impact on BAM's cultural landscape. Before accepting her well-deserved accolade, Solange was introduced by her friend and fellow artist Toyin Ojih Odutola, who highlighted Solange's insatiable thirst for knowledge and her role not just as a performer and creator, but also as a visionary shaping spaces where Black women can thrive. Draped in a stunning ensemble from Acne Studios, the singer delivered a poignant acceptance speech, offering heartfelt reflections on her personal journey towards joy. Check out the captivating snapshots of the evening, from the artist's preparations at WSA to their gathering with friends at The Fisher.