Dion Mckenzie known as TYGAPAW, is a Producer, DJ and Artist, originally from Mandeville, Jamaica, and based in Brooklyn, New York. A polymathic artist injecting their Jamaican heritage into techno, TYGAPAW operates at the intersections of their musical and cultural roots. Released via influential Mexico City imprint N.A.A.F.I., debut album ‘GET FREE’, features singles ‘Run 2 U’ and ‘Facety’ with vocal features from Mandy Harris Williams and TYGAPAW. An 11-track collection of hard-hitting, cathartic energy, the project explores black joy, the active dismantling of imagined limitations, and the eradication of self doubt using techno landscapes. The album garnered an array of press support from the likes of Resident Advisor, Mixmag (interview), DJ Mag (premiere, interview), Electronic Beats (interview), o32c (interview), DEKMANTEL (Artist Pick), Mixmag Japan, DAZED, DJ Mag Spain, XLR8R, The Vinyl Factory, Ransom Note, Pan African Music, Faze Mag, Metal Magazine and more. The campaign also saw TYGAPAW contribute mixes for Crack Magazine, XLR8R and FACT, which Resident Advisor awarded Mix of the Day. Radio support from Amelie Lens (BBC Radio 1), Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6Music), Nemone (BBC 6Music) and more.
Previous releases ‘Ode To Black Trans Lives’ and ‘Handle With Care’ saw TYGAPAW release via Fake Accent, their own imprint and club night. Tracks from both EPs saw support from Dazed (interview, playlist), The Beijinger (interview), NYLON, Pioneer Works (interview), Annie Nightingale (BBC Radio 1), Jubilee (BBC Radio 1), Young Turks (NTS), Yaeji (NTS) and more. Debut EP ‘Love Thyself’, was released on NYC label Sweat Equity. Promo support from Vogue (interview), i-D (interview), FADER (interview), PAPER (interview), Mixmag (interview + mix), Vice (mix), Sway in the Morning (mix – Sirius XM) and more. Lead single ‘The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth’ accrued an array of radio support, with multiple plays from Benji B (BBC Radio 1), BAMBII (BBC Radio 1), PAN w/ Bill Kouligas + Eartheater (NTS). TYGAPAW has also previously contributed singles for release via NYC labels DISCWOMAN and MIXPAK, which garnered support from the likes of Pitchfork and FACT.
As of June 2022
