Beijing Beats: Okapi (South Africa), Bohan Phoenix (US), and 13 Years of Yugong Yishan
Beijing Beats brings you the best in Beijing nightlife each weekend so that you can soothe the woes of a long and stressful week with some out-of-body gyrating and some experiences you'd rather forget come Monday. Check the weekend's full list of nightlife events here.
Thursday, Sept. 21
Raw Meat at Dada
Raw Meat returns to Dada, welcoming "fresh young local talent" to show their stuff and hone their sound. This Thursday, get down with Yesen, STYX (no, not that STYX), and LIL WHITE, playing hip-hop, soul, and funk until the wee hours. For those who want to be at the forefront of the local scene, this is a chance to make connections with rising pros and get to know artists "before they're cool" (though I would argue that these kids are already cool). Free. 10pm. Dada
Friday, Sept. 22
South African Afro-Synth Blogger Okapi
Blogging about music in South Africa, DJ Okapi has gained notoriety as a crate-digger, collector and DJ, spinning underappreciated and long-forgotten records of "the synth-fuelled '80s disco-funk (style) known as bubblegum and the unique house-inspired kwaito grooves of the early '90s." With Afrobeat music now having a moment in mainstream music all around the world, Okapi has been instrumental in turning a new generation of music fans onto previously rarely-heard South African music. The website has since grown into an online store and more recently a shop in downtown Johannesburg, and DJ Okapi recently put together a compilation of South African disco for US-based label Cultures of Soul, titled Boogie Breakdown. Whether you're already a fan or just curious, check him out this weekend. Price TBA. 10pm. Dada
Kenyan Star Artist Victoria Kimani Live @ Chocolate Club
African-American artist Victoria Kimani will be at Chocolate on Friday, Sept. 22, for a performance in support of her new single, #CHINALOVE. I've included this event in our roundup for several reasons: First, she seems like a talented singer and musician, with an interesting background as an American-born Kenyan, a longtime resident of Nigeria, and now a world-touring pop star. Second: her single "#CHINALOVE" deserves a nod, whether it be because she's really into China or just for the sake of bowing to the "world's largest [insert service or product here] market." And third, I can't really think of a stranger venue for her to perform at. Chocolate, in my experience, is a strange and desolate club, rarely with more than 10 patrons in its massive performance space. Will they still play the pre-recorded cheers they usually play after the dancers' performances? Go, find out and let us know. RMB 200. 9pm. Chocolate
Bohan Phoenix JALA Tour + Howie Lee & Dutch E Germ & Jason Hou
Chinese-American rapper Bohan Phoenix is back in the motherland on a brand-new tour following the release of his latest JALA EP. His label Do Hits will be presenting the Beijing show, with bossman Howie Lee bringing out New York’s Dutch E Germ and avant-garde Chinese musician Jason Hou, putting on an audio/visual live show with visual artists veeeky and Thoiid. RMB 150, RMB 130 (advance). 9pm. Omni Space
13 Years of Yugong Yishan
It seems September is the month to open a nightclub. After a month packed with anniversary celebrations for Lantern, Yue Space, and more, Yugong Yishan is celebrating 13 years of hosting some of the best and bangin'-est shows in Beijing with mash-up of musical guests to reflect the venue's diverse range of styles: German reggaeton duo Raggabund, Beijing electro-indie-pop heroes Nova Heart and dreamy shoegazers Default. RMB 150, RMB 100 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan
Saturday, Sept. 23
Ametsub, Daisuke Tanabe, and Yosi Horikawa
KAKOUSHI Indépendant brings us live experimental electronica from three of Japan's most influential, pioneering young producers: Ametsub, Daisuke Tanabe and Yosi Horikawa. Expect everything from glitchy experimental DnB, ambient and field recordings to deep melodic techno. Sonically travel through atmospheric soundscapes into the tight bass and melodic scratches of Ametsub, the stop-start drum and bass experimentalism of Daisuke, and the field recording-infused sound creations of Yosi Horikawa. RMB 80. 10pm. Dada
N. B. S. + Jackson Turner Tour at Yue Space
No Play Concepts presents N.B.S. and Jackson Turner live at Yue Space. N.B.S. is a Boston-based rap duo comprised of cousins E’Flash and Vee Knuckles. Though related, and having similar experiences, their lyrical styles are contrasting yet harmonious. With influences such as Kool G Rap and Nas, V Knuckles’ flow adds a raw, witty, energetic element to complement the smoother and calmer style of E Flash. Jackson Turner aka Heretic is a hip-hop artist from NYC who has been rhyming and performing since he was 15 years old. He has worked with artists such as Lisa Rowe, The Shaggers and the Natural Born Spitters (N.B.S.). RMB 100. 10pm. Yue Space
Four to the Floor at the Bar at Migas
Four To The Floor represents the rhythm of house music. The steady, uniform beat of a kick drum in 4/4 time could be monotonous and boring by itself, but when stylised with a bassline, a melody, and additional percussion, it's the kind of beat that'll take over your entire body. DJs: Nassdak and Yauman. Price TBA. 10pm. The Bar at Migas
Images: James Hadfield (The Japan Times), courtesy of the venues
