If you're looking for an oasis of tropical bass music in New York City, you'll find it at Que Bajo. Founded in 2008 by resident DJs Uproot Andy and Geko Jones, the party is the destination for warm-blooded clubbers seeking sounds from Latin American, Caribbean and African countries. Reflecting New York's multiculturalism, the music is a eclectic mix of of Brazilian bass, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, and kwaito, with a focus on Barrioteca, the name they use for the Latin club remixes they're known for.
"We would hear [this music] in shops, cars, and kitchens, and although some of it was popping off on the internet, we just wanted to bring it all together and play it at the party with our friends," explains Andy.
"We cater to the crowd that wants mangoes on their ice cream and more cheese on their chalupa," adds Geko, who met Andy during a first date at a local bar. "I opted to stay and listen to his set rather than head back to Brooklyn with the girl. Never saw her again, but seven years later we still have a dope party."
Que Bajo's next party will go down this Saturday, March 21, with local baile funk aficionade Comrade as the headliner and global bass label Dutty Artz as co-hosts. To give you a taste of what's coming up, we're premiering Cabo Blanco's remix of "Querendo Me Dar." The original track is off Comrade's highly influential
Favela Trapalbum, which Cabo Blanco claims was the first to feature baile funk artists over trap music. "With this remix, I set out to combine reggaeton and dembow rhythms over the dark progressions of the original," he explains. Grab your caipirinha and soak it in.
Catch Que Bajo at The Wick on March 21, and during Red Bull Music Academy Festival New York in May
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