instance, just the other day Konichiwa Crew performed at FoMu (29) (the Antwerp photography museum) as “young emerging talents to keep an eye on”. For a year we have been developing our own sound by producing music. We’re not at the point yet of wanting to release our music, but when we feel we have made something amazing, we definitely will. Before, our crew members were represented by other art companies, but now we try to do all those things ourselves.
KONICHIWA.
Peter: We are continuously learning from each other. Our crew activities basically consist of three pillars: producing music, organising parties and doing dance performances. We try to do our thing in a wide range of different art disciplines. What we make is the result of our multicultural habitat. Our crew includes Ghanaians, Rwandese, Angolans and a Belgian. We have all been friends for a long time, despite our age and cultural differences. David: We are the perfect reflection of the multicultural feel of metropolitan Antwerp! Why exactly did you choose Antwerp as headquarters for Konichiwa Crew? David: Our collective is a success thanks to the fact that Antwerp is such a multicultural city. Most of us were born and raised in this city. Although I grew up in a small village next to Antwerp, it was in the city I finally discovered who I am. To get to that stage I needed the influence of all those different people. I can’t imagine living in a small village again. Peter: My story is quite similar, since I am originally from Hoogstraten. Six years ago I came to study in Antwerp. And six years ago I decided I would never go back! David: What’s appealing about Antwerp to me is that, although it is a goodsize city, it sometimes has the feel of a village. Whenever I go out, I run into people I know.
Coffee David: A friend of mine owns the coffee place associated with Het Bos (30), Cordon Coffee. It is a very calm place just outside the city centre.
17
Food Peter: I often go to Life is Art (31) because my girlfriend works there, and as the name suggests it is the perfect place for an artist to hang out. David: Go to Borgerhout for the best bakeries! And if you’re looking for a bit more, next to Pallieter (32) and Korsakov there is an amazing sandwich shop: Baubergine.
Drinks Peter: We don’t actually go to bars; we just hang out at each other’s places. David: We don’t have a regular pub, but we do like the Dageraadplaats (33), Mechelseplein (34) and Vrijdagmarkt. (35)
Hang-out spot David: We are big fans of Kavka, (36) where we regularly organise parties. You can go there for great gigs and parties. It is also the perfect place for professional meetings, because it is in the middle of the city but still tranquil. A real chill spot is Park Spoor Noord (37), which is right between new fancy buildings and the old Dam with its mix of cultures. The people from these very different neighbourhoods come together in the park. There, you see Antwerp in all its colours.