Kuruza is celebrating its five year anniversary, as well as its mission to bridge the gap for people of different nationalities, languages and cultures. (Courtesy: Kuruza Collective/ Facebook)
If you’re from Toronto chances are you (or at least someone you know) has come across a cultural phenomenon that has taken over the city’s entertainment scene.
Kuruza, known as a monthly party series, is a collective that has managed to bridge the gap for people of different nationalities, languages and cultures all in the name of one common love: music.
The collective is celebrating its five-year anniversary, as well as its outstanding dedication and contribution to uniting the African diaspora, along with people originating from other corners of the world.
What started out as a group of international students coming together with an idea to disrupt Toronto’s music scene back in 2018, would later morph into one of the most sought-after events in the city.
Now Toronto sat down with two of its founding members, DJs Kiga and Hangaëlle, who spoke about the cultural impact it has had in the 6ix and beyond.
“We came in as international students and we didn’t know anybody,” Kiga shared. “We wanted to create a safe space for other people [who] migrated from other parts of the world [and] moved to Toronto.”
However, once the two got to Canada’s largest city, they quickly noticed a disconnect.
“When I started going out it was the entertainment district era, and that was not it,” Hangaëlle said.
According to her, the city was plagued with top 40 music, where every club sounded the same, there were dress codes in effect, it was mostly bottle culture and in some instances people were just staring at each other rather than dancing.
“Kuruza embodies what we were used to, party wise, back home in terms of the energy and how we treat each other in the space,” she continued.
From throwing parties at The Boiler Room, The Drake Hotel to Hush Hush, the collective shows no sign of slowing down and offers a variety of events, including day parties, block parties, jazz nights, standard club-style events and so much more.
It’s been a year of wins for the agency who has collaborated with New York-based collective Everyday People and celebrated 50 years of hip hop to their biggest crowd yet at Manifesto.
“It really solidifies what we’re trying to do,” Kiga said. “We all aspire to perform on big stages worldwide, that was a great learning experience.”
They have also quickly adapted to the colossal popularity of music genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano.
And when it comes to the recipe for their success, they say it’s all in the foundation.
“You have to have a clear vision, you need to work with people who understand the vision and work with people who are passionate and ambitious regardless of constant validation or a paycheck,” Hangaëlle said.
She goes on to share that if your main focus is enriching the community around you, success is inevitable.
To purchase tickets for Kuruza Sound System anniversary party at History, click here.
