BIJI is a powerful Swedish duo formed by artist/actor Robin Nazari and filmmaker/producer Maceo Frost, based in Stockholm. Emerging in 2019, their project – named after the Kurdish word for “long live” or “viva” – originated as a bold celebration of multicultural coexistence. Robin with his Kurdish background, and Maceo with his African-American–Swedish heritage, blend their distinct cultures into a vibrant artistic fusion.
BIJI’s music is a kaleidoscope of sounds anchored in Kurdish melodic traditions, enriched by hip-hop, Afrobeat, Latin rhythms, electronic dance, and pop. Their performances emphasize joy, freedom, and communal celebration, interwoven with cultural pride and identity building.
BIJI’s appearance at Rosendal Garden Party started off with Maceo’s DJ set getting the audience hyped up. After that Robin’s sister Sara Nazari took to the stage for a powerful rendition of her spoken word poetry, brandishing a copy of the book Revolution Poetry in her hand, getting plenty of appreciation from the audience. Her presence gave a personal voice to the cultural and political layers embedded in BIJI’s songs as well.
But once Robin himself stepped on stage, the audience was ready to party to BIJI’s original mix of traditional Kurdish melodies with danceable beats. It all turned into a full-on folk festival and a living cultural exchange. As the rhythms pulsed, Robin was waving his scarfs wildly and got the audience to join waving along with what ever they got their hands on.
And by the end of the show, as Robin had promised, he had the audience forming lines and circles, and dancing with the Kurdish steps hand in hand, feeling the rhythm and joining in on the spontanoues joy filling the summer air.
Here are our favorite photos of the BIJI appearance at Rosendal Garden Party, captured by Nina Uddin
All photos © Nina Uddin
