NAAFI is a multidisciplinary collective of progressive artists, producers, and DJs with a genre-bending ethos. A multi-headed quetzalcóatl with each head being a vicious sound architect. Since 2010, they have defined the sound of Mexico City and beyond, performing at major festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Ceremonia, and Sónar. More than just performers, NAAFI focuses on idea exchange in cities such as Shanghai, Tokyo, Berlin, Los Angeles, Seoul, and London. Their parties, known for creating judgment-free environments, have become centers for queer expression while also fostering collaborations with other like-minded labels in Latin America.
In 2017 they brought NYC ballroom via Venus X and MikeQ to Mexico City. They've also collaborated with Nacho Nava of Mustache Mondays and produced a pre-Hispanic opera with La Bruja de Texcoco. The hard-hitting drums of Grammy-winning Tayhana, the impeccable sound direction of Mexican Jihad, and the mind-bending soundscapes of Lao ensure that the sound of NAAFI will remain innovative.
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 artwork and male sensibilities at the local baño.
I was between Mexico City, Puerto Escondido, Texas, and Los Angeles. NAAFI had a residency at Museo Jumex with DJs, producers, artists, and The Fader flying in. This is how I saw the city through the NAAFI lens.
En route from Juarez to meet the rest of the crew, Alberto Bustamante, originally from Oaxaca, is a multifaceted talent. Trained as an architect, Bustamante is a pornographer, curator, photographer, DJ, and co-founder of NAAFI. He has held the creative director role for Frank Ocean’s Homer radio, NAAFI, and Omar Apollo.
Alberto Bustamante mid thought with The Fader at the NAAFI headquarters.
Tomás Davó, also known as Fausto Bahia, speaks to The Fader. Hailing from Oaxaca, the co-founder of NAAFI has played a pivotal role in the label's operations, ensuring infrastructure for artist releases and projects.
A museum worker and security guard check documents at the 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 bringing the sounds of Angola, Lisbon, and Africa to Mexico City.
Alberto Bustamante in the ticket area of the after party.
Lao in a moment between the chaos of 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 party.
Dj Nigga Fox and Alberto Bustamante talking with friends outside the after at 5am.
Paul Marmota, Alberto Bustamante, and Tomás Davó in the living room 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 apart of NAAFI Paul continues to create futuristic dark soundscapes.
Rogério Brandão, aka DJ Nigga Fox, almost missed his flight to Mexico City due to discrimination from the airline. However, with a last-minute flight repurchase from NAAFI, he was able to make the journey. As the Príncipe Discos artist draws influence from kuduro, afro-house, Angolan deep, tarraxinha, and batida the world listens.
Children playing soccer in a court in Colonia Juárez.
Lao, aka Lauro Robles, while his sound is always evolving, his production often incorporates influences from jungle, techno, reggaeton, and ballroom. He could be the most aggressive sonically out of the crew on a given day. He also runs Extasis Records.
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.