As part of Freedom Frequencies, the musical collaboration between Bar Brutal and futura artists, we sit down with the creatives generous enough to curate music for us. On duty for the FF MIX 2 we are over the moon to speak to BUK'Z to uncover how music shapes his day, his radio shows, Barcelona and what's in the bag for 2026!

Bar Brutal: Hello! Would you please mind introducing yourself and how who you are informs your relation to music?

Buk'z: I’m artistically known as Buk’z, né Abu-Bakarr, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. My relationship with music comes as the necessity to breathe, embracing nature in its entirety. My hometown is my backbone and point of departure, allowing me to vividly feel and immerse myself within the realm of music. I moved to Barcelona when I was 9 years old and lived there until my early thirties, when I moved to London, where my knowledge began to truly stretch and expand. At one point, I was about to study field recordings at SOAS, but they were bureaucratically erratic and rigid in enforcing the rules for enrolling in the course. After a while, I gave up and started working for Honest Jon’s, which turned out to be one of the best decisions that I have ever.

Bar Brutal: When we first talked about doing a mix, the brief was simple “ music that makes you think of Bar Brutal”. We’re curious to hear how you build your mixes in general.

Buk'z: As is usual, and by nature, at least from my perspective, there should be a storyline whenever I intend to select or curate a show— in this case, a mix. The goal is almost always to entice the audience so that they can feel the storyline through the music.

Bar Brutal: Is there a starting point track that you shaped the mix? If so, which one was it and why? Does this mix feature a lot of music that you haven’t played out before?

Buk'z: Rare Silk, an American jazz vocal group - with their silky and sumptuous composition "Storm" - serves as the starting point for this mix, which will later transport you into a slick mid tempo boogie mood for a relaxing experience. I am quite confident in my familiarity with the tunes included in the mix. I didn’t want to twist my mind in search of the raser and unheard tracks; I simply wanted to evoke memories of bygone times while I was in the States, tuning into underground radio stations playing some unbelievable boogie tunes.

Bar Brutal: do you have a specific routine to come across new* music and Do you have established sources of inspiration?
*new as in that was unknown to you prior vs that has been recently released?

Buk'z: I’m constantly challenging myself by continuing to research both new and old music as a methodology of inspiration, always bearing in mind the historical and social context of what Black music stands for and has meant to me. Back in the day, magazines such as ‘In The Basement,’ ‘Straight No Chaser’, the early series of Wax Poetics, and Ed Motta’s legendary ‘Empoeirado’ show were my sources of inspiration.

In The Basement was published from February 1996 to Spring 2012 by one man operation David Cole from Brighton, UK! It was a quarterly magazine that lasted for 65 issues. At the time of its demise David explained it was mainly financial issues that led him to ceasing production. David released first in 2002 a compilation of Soul ballads from the heart of Black America called "Basement Tracks" and later a second double CD set entitled 'Tears Full of Soul' in 2007.

Bar Brutal: we feel your curiosity and interests are wide and broad and you are engaged socially and politically. Do you feel you actively seek music that resonate / question the current heartbreaking current state of the world? And do you look for something particular?

Buk'z: I’m not constantly looking for music, per se, as I’m broad-minded and conscious enough to recognise that life is not solely about music. Since I come from the world of linguistics and literature, I love the idea of intermingling both fields; music and literature. If I endeavour to properly research new material about music, it has to be meaningful, first and foremost, and I need to feel the implications of what I’m involved in secondly.

Bar Brutal: Please share with us your favourite releases of 2025.

Buk'z: That’s a tough question to answer, as I’m challenging myself regarding what is currently worthwhile to listen to or not. But here I go with the following list of gems in random order: La Rat - La Rat (South Of North label), Kelan Phil Cohran & Legacy - African Skies (Listening Position), Annahstasia - Tether (Drink Sum WTR), Natural Information Society - Perseverance Flow (Eremite Records), Anouar Brahem - After The Last Sky (ECM), DJ Lycox - Ghetto Star (Principe Records), Julion De’Angelo / Robert Crash - 12” (Fottute Registrazioni), Big Hands - Thauma (Marionette), Saul Williams meets Carlos Niño & Friends at TreePeople (International Anthem Recording Co.), Kristen Noguès & John Surman - Diriaou (Souffle Continu), Arsene - Jack Shit 7” (Star Creature), SML - How You Been (International Anthem Recording Co.), Bilal - Live at Glasshaus (Glasshaus Presents), and so on. 

Bar Brutal: Have you had the chances to see these artists live recently? Were there bands or deejays that have stood out for

Buk'z: Out of all these mighty musicians, I would always highlight the performances of Bilal at La Sala Apolo on the 4th of November in Barcelona and Natural Information Society at Rich Mix on the 28th of November in London, both from 2025. I’ve been following the musical careers of both of them, therefore they hardly disappoint me in terms of their commitment to their audience.

Bar Brutal: Talking about performing, would you like / mind sharing where people can hear you play beautiful music next / soon in barcelona?

Buk'z: I wish I could respond immediately to the fact that I will be playing in Barcelona, but I don't have the honor of playing many gigs, at least, not yet.
However, I do enjoy playing every now and then at Amateur, a restaurant located in PobleNou, managed by Marco Bolati.
Much appreciation for the link to Repe who runs a monthly event Grooves from the soul at Salvadiscos in PobleSec.

Bar Brutal: What is your favourite space to experience music physically in Barcelona (apart from your home set up).

Buk'z: My home is the best, far and away, no doubt about that. I really enjoy the musical atmosphere they create whenever I go to Hangar for an intimate experimental gig, like the one I experienced last month when Lamin Fofana, the Sierra Leonean/American artist and musician, was performing. The price is quite reasonable—only €5.

Bar Brutal: And do you have safe spots that represent the life you like here?

Buk'z "La Carretera de les Aigües' is probably one of my favourite spots to spend time exercising, jogging, and simply walking while contemplating the entire view of the city from the Collserola mountain range, El Tibidabo, then Pedralbes Monastery and, finally, Casa Trampa restaurant.

Buk'z will be presenting the records he used for the mix. Join us from 19:30, enjoy the groove.