Sueuga

Raised predominantly in Oakland California, interdisciplinary artist Manolis Elijah Sueuga (aka “Sueuga”/ “Sueuga Kamau”) began their artistic career playing in hardcore bands and producing beats for the reggaetoneras of Tomasa Del Real’s eminent label Neoperreo. Sueuga’s work became more independent and interdisciplinary as they began to produce works of poetry and develop live sound installations, sometimes combined with their own performance works, frequently collaborating with other major artists. With recent releases on pivotal experimental music labels such as Infinite Machine, Paynomindtous, NAAFI, Arboretum, Hiedrah, Salviatek, Precious Metals, and Soul Feeder, Sueuga’s compositions and performances are often characterized by atmospheres of angst and relentless tension; belligerent reflections that aim to (re)configure moments of personal trauma. Sueuga’s work manages to summon dark, infernal scenarios while also envisioning futures of long-awaited victory, offering a commentary on the existential struggle of affirming one’s existence in turbulent, oppressive times. In addition to recent collaborations with visual artist Armando Guadalupe Cortés, and musical artist Catnapp, Sueuga has played and released multiple mixes with Boiler Room, and HÖR Berlin, NTS, as well as completing an artist residency at Radio Nopal (MX) in the summer of 2021. Sueuga’s work has been acknowledged widely in the world of contemporary art, and they have performed live sound installations and performances at major internationally recognized arts institutions such as the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), London’s Cafe Oto, the Camden Arts Centre and New York’s Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center, among others. They produce soundscapes and music for dance/performance works as a member of Neda Ruzheva’s Trevoga collective. Sueuga also is a founder of the Bay Area transqueer+ club night “glossed,” a collective promoting experimental club music without borders. Sueuga also freelances as a tattoo artist and writer for experimental publications.