Ifa Halima Bumi
BY EMELINA MINERO
Lesbian.com
Electronic dance music (EDM) producer, artist and poet Ifa Halima Bumi fuses poetry and EDM, creating her own sub-genre, trancoetry. In 2009, Bumi released her first trancoetry CD, touring her music across queer festivals and venues, including Sappho Salon, Lickalotta Fest and Mondo Homo. In 2012, she released four trance singles and is ready to create her second poetry-infused EDM album.
“The first album fell under the lesbian erotica genre. I wrote about my experiences based around love, lust and heartbreak. For the second album, I am excited to have the opportunity to create art with others,” said Bumi.
Bumi has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for her second album and wants your involvement. Beyond asking for monetary contributions, she wants you to help create it. You can submit song titles to help name ten songs on her CD. If your title is chosen, you will receive a mention in her promo video.
Bumi’s goal is to raise $14,444 to fund studio time, mastering, mixing, collaborating with musicians, duplication and artwork. For making a pledge, you can get a variety of perks ranging from a digital download of the album to an autographed poster to VIP access to the pre-release exclusive listening party.
“I am excited about all the elements with the new album falling into place and the limitless possibilities; most important, being a part of something bigger than me. I hope my music and career light encourages other women and girls to challenge power, originality and creative thinking,” said Bumi.
Also, a percentage of all proceeds will go to two organizations that support women in music: Women’s Audio Mission (WAM) and Gender Amplified.
WAM is a San Francisco-based nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of women in music production and the recording arts. They provide hands-on training, experience, career counseling and job placement for women and girls in media technology for music, radio, film, television and the internet.
Gender Amplified celebrates and supports women in music production, offering training in technical skills to help girls and young women get involved behind the scenes as music producers, as well as gives them the skills to help with employment in a wide range of scientific and arts based fields where women are traditionally underrepresented.
“Today, the international EDM circuit is dominated by men like Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia, Tiësto, Armin Van Buuren, Markus Schulz and Avicii. We have some amazing women behind the decks and mixing boards, such as the Nervo twins, Audrey Napoleon, Annie Mac, Krewella and many more who are making a statement. It’s unfortunate, even with the rise of female DJs and producers, that there is still a large gap in inequality between celebrated men and women in the EDM industry. Look closer at who headlines major EDM music festivals. The imbalance definitely exists. That is why it is important that we support organizations that support women in music. Especially those organizations that push the envelope educating and embracing creative opportunities through the use of technologies,” said Bumi.
It’s great to see artists who support others in the community and who foster collaboration. You can listen to Bumi’s music on SoundCloud and you can support Bumi by making a donation to her GoFundMe campaign.
