Whatever you think the sound of NAAFI is, it’s evolved. NAAFI is a multidisciplinary collective of artists, producers, and DJs with a constantly changing sound and message. They have defined the sound of Mexico City and beyond since 2010. A multi-headed serpent with each head being a vicious sound architect.
Brutalists. The club as post-political.
The origins of this project trace back to 2012 when I connected with Alberto Bustamante, aka Mexican Jihad, on the gay internet. My visa was expiring in El Salvador, and heading north was my only option, leading me to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico—a place my father frequented at my age. After burning out in coastal paradise, I needed the city life.
I arrived at Preteen Gallery in Mexico City, a visionary project by Gerardo Contreras in San Rafael. Shortly after, I met Alberto at a club where he was DJing. We discussed my art work and male sensibilities at the local baño. From then on, I saw the city through the NAAFI lens.
I was between Mexico City, Puerto Escondido, Texas, and Los Angeles at the time. NAAFI had a residency at Museo Jumex with scheduled shows with DJs, producers, artists, and The Fader flying in. This was unlike any other time since there a film crew was with us.
Alberto Bustamante en route from Juarez to meet the rest of the crew. Originally from Oaxaca. Bustamante is a trained architect, pornographer, curator, photographer, sound director/dj for Frank Ocean’s Homer radio, creative director and co-founder of NAAFI. Mexican Jihad is the most iconic artist name.
Alberto Bustamante mid conversation with The Fader at the NAAFI headquarters.
Tomás Davó aka Fausto Bahia in the office speaking to The Fader. From Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, the integral NAAFI co-founder is responsible for day to day operations.
A museum worker and security guard check documents at entrance for the NAAFI Museo Jumex Residency.
The public plaza at Museo Jumex. A discussion on nuevas formas de danza / new forms of dance.
DJ Nigga Fox, Paul Marmota, Mexican Jihad, and DJ Antna on Zones of Disturbance.
Mariana Botey in her theory of the cultural spectrums of indigenous Mexico “... zones of unrest mark the pace of the transformation and communication of important repertoires and vocabularies, where the activation and enhancement of this discrepancy/difference. They are the key to conceptual languages and new avant-garde.” 
Paul Marmota and Tomás Davó talking with friends before Paul, DJ Antna, and Dj Niggafox’s sets.
DJ Nigga Fox brings the vibrant sounds of Angola, Lisbon, and Africa to Mexico City.
Alberto Bustamante managing the ticket area at the after party.
Lao in a moment between the chaos of Dj sets from Rap Simons, Adrian B, Mexican Jihad, Paul Marmota, Dj Nigga Fox, OMAAR and Erick Rincon.
Tomás Davó and Alberto Bustamante on the back end. There was no location for the after. It all came together in the last 5 hours.
OMAAR and Alberto Bustamante leaving the after.
Dj Nigga Fox and Alberto Bustamante talking with friends outside the after at 5am.
Rogério Brandão, aka DJ Nigga Fox, almost missed his flight to Mexico City due to airline discrimination. However, he made the journey with a last-minute flight repurchase from NAAFI. As the Príncipe Discos artist draws influence from kuduro, Angolan deep house, tarraxinha, and batida the world listens.
Paul Marmota, Alberto Bustamante, and Tomás Davó in the living area trying on shoes.
Paul Marmota and Tomás Davó in the NAAFI office. Cristian Tapia better known as Paul Marmota. The Chilean producer and a NAAFI co-founder is known for combining different styles of rap, house, African, dancehall, tribal, techno, Andino, and reggaeton. While no longer a part of NAAFI Paul continues to create futuristic dark soundscapes.
A soccer court in colonia Children playing soccer in a court in Colonia Juárez.
Lao, aka Lauro Robles, consistently innovates his sound, often incorporating influences from jungle, techno, reggaeton, and ballroom. He could be the most aggressive sonically out of the NAAFI on a given day.
Lao’s full-length debut was released via NAAFI in early 2024. Chapultepec, at times is minimal, layered and smart. In 19 tracks Lao‘s Chapultepec shows us his curiosity to the world by combining dance, mythology, nature, and Mexican history.
Lauro Robles tags while Alberto Bustamante follows behind.
Tranquility and stillness in the office.