A few weeks ago, we partnered up with Leandro, founder of brand and concept LUGAZI, for a pop-up event in Stockholm. Always involved in music from a young age, Leandro’s dream was always to work with some of the biggest names in the Swedish hip-hop scene. Now he’s an independent house artist and producer that spends several days of the week in the studio.
Leandro came to discover DJing whilst bartending at Holken in Stockholm, and developed his sound into the music he releases today.
”I used to play whenever I got the chance - even when my coworkers didn’t always love it. I got my first real gig there (at Holken), and it was a success. It’s been rolling ever since”, Leandro says.
Leandro explains that the music that he creates in this point of his career is the music he
makes foremost for himself and the music he personally enjoys the most. ”If others enjoy it too, that’s just a bonus. I still have a lot more to show”.
Back in high school, Leandro and two close friends imagined building something of their own - a streetwear brand that got the name LUGAZI. Life eventually pulled the three friends in different directions, but the idea stayed with Leandro. When the chance later came to host an event, Leandro came to call it LUGAZI. Now it wasn’t just about fashion anymore. It was about energy. Movement. A still evolving space where club culture, art, and community can collide.
Leandro tells us that he’s not yet completely sure what LUGAZI is and will become. ”I love bringing people together and giving space to new creators - DJs playing their first sets, artists showing their work for the first time. LUGAZI is a part of me, but it’s also something I want to share with others”, he explains.
After an intense year of hosting events under the LUGAZI name, Leandro took a year-long break to find his own style and direction before now hosting the event a few weeks ago together with us and some of his creative friends.
At the event, creatively directed by Sofiia - a friend of Leandro, visitors could browse LUGAZI merch, airbrushed pieces by Kiddy and Somewhere in 08 – take photobooth images hosted by Hotmess Studios and sponsored by Dr. Denim. The LUGAZI graphics were created by another friend of Leandro’s named Molly. Leandro tells us that the future of LUGAZI is to keep building the name by creating more events and continue to partner up with people and brands he likes.
”As long as your heart’s in the right place and you’re doing something dope - you’re part of it. Forget about fame and all that”, Leandro says.