Listen to TYGAPAW’s ‘groove-oriented techno’ Dazed mix

The next chapter in their tech opera opus, Together You Gather All Power Applied Worldwide, TYGAPAW’s third full-length album, opens with a spoken word monologue by artist and poet Precious Okoyomon; sliced into layers, their voice slips in and out of focus to haunting effect. Eventually, a pulsing techno beat kicks in, engulfing the track; through harsh, pulverising rhythms, it heads towards the dancefloor.

Echoes of New York’s Black queer nightlife scene permeate the ten-track album, in the form of vocal features from members of the artist’s chosen family, including Ms Carrie Stacks and Julianna Huxtable, among others. “Each artist featured on my album I have a deep connection with and profound respect for their art and their contributions to Black queer and trans liberation,” they explain. “Highlighting this collective Black queer resilience and brilliance, it’s a direct example of how we are stronger as a community.”

For their Dazed mix, TYGAPAW shares a groove-oriented techno set, bringing together some of their favourite New York club music. “It’s a cute set, and the dolls were living for it,” they explain, “which is a mission accomplished for me.”

Congrats on the album! Tell us more about it.

Tygapaw: My third album is a sonic testimony to me navigating a ton of obstacles and not compromising my integrity, while still believing in who I am and the work that I do. It’s an album that took two years to come to fruition, due to being in a not-so-comfortable position with my previous label, and having to navigate my way to greener pastures, so to speak. I can’t wait for it to be out in the world.

How important are collaborations to you? Is there a connecting thread between all the collaborations on the record?

Tygapaw: I don’t get the opportunity to collaborate often, but with this album I wanted to highlight my Black queer and trans community in NYC and globally. I’ve been living in NYC for 24 years, and in those years I’ve managed to build something that allowed for the community to grow, and through building the space I’ve met and connected with like-minded artists who share a similar vision of the future.

What’s the best and worst advice you’ve ever received?

Tygapaw: Worst: Holding onto things that no longer serve you. Best: What is for you will always be for you.

Tell us about your Dazed mix.

Tygapaw: This mix gives a very groove-oriented techno set that blends a lot of my NYC club music background into the curation. It was recorded live at my Zero Chill set last NYE in NYC. Off the back of four b2b European tours, I was exhausted but ecstatic for the release of my third album this spring. It’s a cute set, and the dolls were living for it, which is a mission accomplished for me.

Tracklist:

“Tape 001” – The Advent

“Beep Riddim” – Spooky Bizzle

“Acetate” – 622chaos

TYGAPAW blend

“Read The Room” – Sina XX

“Solitario_01” – OMAAR

“Skycell (Recluse Remix)” – Nguzunguzu

“Un Poquito” – Phran

“I JUST WANNA (CHARLIE XCX ED1T)” – DJ これからの緊急災害

“Lapis” – Boy in Nature

“Cepilla (by Fulanito)” – PETERBLUE