JUUNI
Juuni (Joo-Nee) is the rhythmist based in Detroit, MI who uses analog and digital instruments to create. His sonic identity was formed by the Junkanoo celebrations of his ancestors. Mentor Gayelynn McKinney led him to refine his rhythm. Guided by Soulquarian & Neptune frequencies, Juuni spawned Onefreq in 2014. The US State Department, Knight Foundation, Art Prize, & i-D have recognized Juuni for his craft. Juuni is a founder of D.Cipher, Detroit’s Music Mastermind Collective.
Juuni gravitated to New Orleans sound via Gabriel Brass Band in 2011, joining the 5th generation of the Gabriel family in Detroit. Frequently collaborating with renowned visual artists including: Nick Cave’s Hear Here, 2016 and Rashaad Newsome’s King of Arms, 2017. In addition, he serves on the Gabriel Music Society board, donating instruments to Detroit high school youth and inviting world class musicians to build with them.
Having met lyricist, Mahogany Jones at open mics in Detroit, they partnered to represent as cultural ambassadors for Hip Hop in 2014. By invitation of the Turkmenistan US Embassy and State Department they toured the major cities of Ashgabat, Dashagouz, and Turkmenabat while leading workshops on Rhythm and the Elements of Hip Hop.
Upon returning from Turkmenistan, from a house in SW Detroit, Juuni and friends birthed Onefreq, an electronic/soul collective. Since 2015 they've earned a variety of experiences including live broadcast television (Art Prize ’16 & ’17); Recorded television (MSNBC, The Profit); Festivals (SXSW '17 & ’18) and has shared stages with Erykah Badu, Gregory Porter, and Masego.