We’ve been in awe of DJ, producer and vinyl guru Gia Fu ever since we discovered her passion and knowledge of the rich salsa landscape. Read her previous spotlight here.
This summer she’ll grace us with all the salsita we didn’t know we needed at Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, New York City’s iconic outdoor performing arts festival. SummerStage brings free and benefit shows to neighborhood parks across the five boroughs. The festival showcases established and emerging artists from across the globe, and features a multitude of genres including jazz, hip-hop, indie rock, salsa, reggae, Afrobeats, soul, pop, global, and contemporary dance, to name just a few.
In honor of her upcoming performance at SummerStage in Central Park as part of the Latin Alternative Music Conference and the Latin GRAMMYs 25 year celebration with an all-star lineup including Fonseca, Israel Fernandez and Bruses, Gia Fu gifted us an infectious Tigre Selector playlist inspired by her salsa roots crowned ‘Un Verano en Nueva York” here.
We sat down with Gia ahead of her July 10th show at SummerStage in NYC. As you listen, get to know this talented producer and DJ a bit more:
TIGRE SOUNDS: Tell us about your musical genre identity and the type of sounds that move you.
GIA FU: My musical genre identity is deeply rooted in the rich and vibrant world of salsa, but I also draw inspiration from my roots, which include music from Hong Kong and Chinese folklore. The sounds that move me are those that tell a story, evoke emotions, and make people want to dance, as expressing passion for life through music and dance is what matters most. I love blending traditional salsa rhythms with sounds from my roots, showcasing the music that represents my culture and the music to which I dedicate all my time. This fusion highlights the mutual influences of both music cultures, creating something innovative yet respectful of its origins. The syncopated rhythms, intricate melodies, and passionate energy of salsa truly resonate with me.
TIGRE SOUNDS: What ignited your love for salsa culture and how does it feel to be a crucial part of the scene in Hong Kong and beyond?
GIA FU: My love for salsa was ignited by its infectious energy and the sense of community it fosters. I first encountered salsa at a breakdance battle in Hong Kong, where all the kids started singing along to the music despite not knowing Spanish. I was captivated by how music and dance bring people together, transcending language and cultural barriers. Being a crucial part of the salsa scene in Hong Kong and beyond feels incredibly rewarding. Through my Canton Mambo project, I am dedicated to bridging cultural divides and embracing diversity, to continue spreading this music to new audiences and continuing to share my love for salsa with the world.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Which genre-bending artists are you really excited about right now and what song are you listening to on repeat?
GIA FU: Recently, I’ve been immersed in studying older artists from the 70s and 80s who pushed the boundaries of their genres and created innovative music. I’ve been particularly captivated by artists like Irakere from Cuba, Orquesta Yambú from the US, and George Lam 林子祥 from Hong Kong, whose music I’ve been listening to on repeat.
TIGRE SOUNDS: What projects do you have coming up that we should look out for?
GIA FU: After the release of ‘Canton Mambo’ last year, a single blending the traditional Chinese instrument Gu-Zheng with salsa rhythms, I have another single coming up this summer. I am continuing to explore and blend Chinese folklore music with salsa rhythms, collaborating with legendary artists in the salsa music industry. This ongoing project will culminate in a full album once all the songs are completed. Additionally, I’m planning more international DJ tours and collaborations, building on the success of the previous tours in Mexico and Europe. Next year, I aim to bring my Canton Mambo party to the United States as a touring event.
ABOUT GIA FU
Gia Fu, a DJ/selector and music producer from Hong Kong, specializes in Afro-Latin music, particularly Salsa and associated rhythms. Beyond extensive touring as an international DJ and music producer, her research work explores how cultures – including her own Chinese heritage and Latin American influences – enrich one another. Having grown up in a culturally vibrant environment, her upbringing fuels her passion for challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusion within the music industry.
Leading the Canton Mambo 曼波 project (@cantonmambo), Gia Fu dedicates herself to bridging cultural divides, embracing diversity through research, cultural & dance events, and music. This initiative creates an all-inclusive space where diverse cultural elements harmonize, fostering unity through the arts. Her upcoming single, “Canton Mambo,” blends her native musical instrument Guzheng with salsa rhythms, introducing an exciting fusion sound for the genre.
In the year 2021, Gia demonstrated her versatility by producing a captivating big-band Salsa album for Grammy-nominated artist Angel Meléndez. This project involved collaboration with 30 musicians spanning various age groups, from their 20s to their 70s.
More recently, Gia performed at the Bulova product-launch event during the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas. In Hong Kong, she played the Clockenflap Festival, as well as the official InterMiami Pre-Party for special guests Lionel Messi, David Beckham and other luminaries of the soccer world. Also in Hong Kong, Gia curated the music for the after party of Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall Show, hosted by Pharrell Williams. Additionally, she was the featured opening act in Miami during Marc Anthony’s VIVIENDO Tour in 2023.
In early 2024, Gia achieved major success with her sold-out, four-city tour in Mexico as a headline artist & DJ. As her star continues to rise, we will be hearing much more from this powerhouse performer and curator of music and culture. Stay tuned…
