Djeff Afrozila

Tiago Barros, birth name of DJeff Afrozila, was born in a cultural crossroad. If Lisbon, Portugal, was the city that welcomed him into this world in 1984, his roots lie in Africa, on his father’s Cape Verde and on his mother’s Angola. Growing up in a capital city meant being exposed to pop music of the 80s: Michael Jackson, Europe, Michael Bolton, Brian Adams, and many others, but living in an African heritage house also meant keeping a close connection to the African roots with bands and musicians such as Kassav, Tabanka Jazz, Livity, Grace Evora, Eduardo Paim, among others. From his older sister came his first contact with electronic music - Robin S, Reel 2 Real, Daft Punk, Armand Van Helden – and it was an instant and everlasting crush. By 1999, DJeff starts going to club matinées in a true establishment of Lisbon’s club culture. DJeff observes and learns with the DJ, and from here on there’s a love story to be told. His next step was buying a mixer to use with two Discmans; he collects dance music and researches DJs until he finds his DJ reference of all times, Erick Morillo. The New York DJ would be DJeff Afrozila’s ultimate inspiration. In 2011, after several successful releases, DJeff Afrozila creates his own imprint, Kazukuta Records. 2013's Soldier Ascension is a full lenght album filled with soulful masterpieces and afro house and his last album, Gratitude, brings forth a rising electronic sound rooted in Africa but expanding worldwide.