"Yop = Your Own Path."
This maxim is the essential tenet of the simple, self-empowering philosophy practiced and preached by Niko Javan, the Miami music producer, member of rap duo O'Grime, and eternal optimist whose "non-stop yoppin'" has led to festival slots at Bonnaroo and TomorrowWorld, as well as shoutouts from record labels like Diplo's Mad Decent and Skrillex's OWSLA.
Now Niko is expanding his inspirational life program to include a weekly South Beach party. And naturally, it's called #Yoppin Wednesdays.
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Crossfade: What's up with the third day of the week?
Niko Javan: The newest, hottest party on SoBe is #Yoppin Wednesdays. Haven has given me an absolutely marvelous opportunity to share my path with the millions of beautiful people in Miami. Wednesday is perfect because it's Humpday. Must I say more?
What's the big idea? The overarching concept?
Ever since 4th grade, when I was rocking fishnets and spikes like the Hardy Boyz, there was a path I wanted to take. I wanted to be a DJ, musician, music video director, and an animator. I've followed that path for 16 golden years now. Here I am, 24 years old, top of my game, making 4th grade Niko so proud that he's headbanging and breakdancing right now.
Spritually, how might we benefit from #Yoppin Wednesdays?
I can't wait to share my path with you all, and also this will allow me to help others take new unique paths as well.
There's a heavy visual aspect to the whole thing, right?
Haven is home to a one-of-a-kind projection system. There are 18 projectors that create a panoramic canvas that covers the perimeter of the venue's interior. I will transform the venue into whatever I want. You will be inside my mind. My imagination is the only filter between thought and reality. If I want to turn Haven into a giant hamburger, then by all means, a hamburger it shall be. If I want to eat that hamburger, prepare to take a trip through the digestive system and then be reincarnated as a butterfly. Expect it to be silly, sexy, and very creative. Bring Visine because your eyes will be so wide open that they will get dry.
See also: Niko Javan's #Yoppin Wednesdays Party: A Video and Photo Recap
Are you gonna be the only musical act? If not, what kind of DJs, bands, party crews are you planning to recruit to the #Yoppin Wednesday team?
I'm definitely not the only musical or visual artist on deck for #Yoppin Wednesdays. With millions of beautiful, smart, creative and hard-working people in this beautiful city, it's a no brainer that this is going to be a group effort. The team will be #Yoppaz.
As Puertorican Smokey once said, "WHERE MY YOPPAZ AT?!?"
What makes this party different from all them other club nights?
First of all, I'm in charge. There is only one Niko Javan. I have not yet showed Miami the magical visual element that comes with my love of futuristic music. To be honest, I've been creating art since I was a fetus. I'm going to create the most ridiculous vibes on South Beach. Hands down. The visual aspect will be just as impactful as the musical selection. It will be top tier technology channeled through a raw artist mind.
How did you lock down the South Beach location? How do you feel about doing a SoBe party?
My super-manager Zac Courtney of Teal Blue locked down this connection for #Yoppin Wednesday nights, and I don't think there is a better venue fit for the dynamic experience that I bring to the table.
Typically, I don't spend too much time in SoBe, so I am going to make a ton of new friends, and a ton of new clients as well. The Miami Metropolitan area is home to over Five Million people. So I expect I will make Five Million new friends.
Ultimately, what's the vibe you're aiming for with #Yoppin Wednesday? What's the vision?
At #Yoppin Wednesdays, dozens of multi-million dollar deals will be taking place, like, every five minutes. We will have the most outlandish creatives rubbing elbows with the highest of the high rollers, and everybody will be breakdancing even if they didn't ever know how previously. The canvas that is Haven is now my personal notebook. It is my sketchbook. My soul will shine through every smiling artist that is a part of this historic event. Every Wednesday.
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#Yoppin Wednesdays. Every Wednesday. Haven, 1237 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. The party starts at 10 p.m. and there's no cover. Ages 21 and up. Call 305-987-8885 or visit havenlounge.com.
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