Bjarki’s NYC label showcase cancelled following transphobic comments
"We're not okay with transphobic behavior of any kind"
A transphobic comment from the Instagram account of Bjarki’s bbbbbb Records was posted on a video of Octo Octa and has since sparked outrage, with a future NYC label showcase cancelled.
Trans artist Octo Octa, also known as Maya Bouldry-Morrison, recently performed for Resident Advisor’s RA Sessions with a live set of her eclectic blend of house and techno. A clip from the recording was posted on Instagram, which prompted numerous transphobic comments.
One such comment came from the Instagram account of Bjarki’s bbbbbb Records, the label co-owned by the Icelandic artist who is also an affiliate of Nina Kraviz’s ᴛрип imprint. The comment read: “Better to make it as a DJ to be a she than a he. She-man!”
The transphobic message, which has since been deleted along with much of the transphobic comments on the Instagram post, prompted many in the industry to call out the producer. An upcoming label showcase at the Brooklyn venue House of Yes is now cancelled and replaced by a free event.
Whether Bjarki posted the comment himself is still unclear. Mixmag has reached out for comment.
UPDATE: Bjarki has released a statement following the cancellation of two events. He has parted with his label partner Johnny Chrome Silver, who admitted to making the comments in a statement of his own. You can read both statements here.
Read a screen grab of the original comment along with the reactions below.