Retji is an interdisciplinary artist from Jos, Nigeria.
Watch his latest musical film ‘NYAM’.
This is a short musical film that is based on the NYAM Documentary, which is a film that follows my journey to rediscover the cultures of my ethnic group, Mupun, from Plateau state Nigeria. This journey turned into a meditation on self discovery, where I found the essence of my identity as a melanated person, from the middle belt region of Nigeria, sojourning the world and understanding history.
The NYAM album is now available on all music streaming platforms: https://www.retji.com/nyamep
NYAM DOCUMENTARY
Longing to reconnect with his African roots, Retji goes on a journey back home to learn about his ethnic nationality, Mupun. Speaking to elders and historians around him, he explores his ancestry and lineage, meditating on scientific findings and oral traditions. His journey unpacks mysteries about the Nok civilization, one of West Africa’s earliest complex civilizations.
“I don’t have a soul, I am a soul and I have a body. I don’t subscribe to one art form, I am an artist using different mediums as a vessel.”
“Retji Dakum”
New Music Out Now
Introducing you to the NYAM musical EP based on the NYAM documentary by Retji Dakum.
“NYAM” is now available on all streaming platforms
Discography
Nghik Di Tup [Black Rock]
Experimental Documentary - 2024
A short film that examines the identities of descendants of Africa, both on the continent and in the diaspora, and how their life experiences have influenced their sense of self.
Directed by Retji Dakum, this film draws inspiration from his experience belonging to the Mupun ethnic group in Nigeria, while navigating America, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and ties to one's heritage. It is a tale that spans across generations and locations, from African cities to diaspora groups, showcasing resiliency, pride, and cultural history through poetic imagery.
FOCUS - EP
“Focus” EP produced entirely by Dokta Frabz !
Sankofa Documentary
Documentary film - 2020
About the film: A Nigerian filmmaker living in America for the past ten years searches out spaces that connect him to his African roots. He finds Aunty Kiki, a business-minded Ghanaian woman, and Uncle Jim, an American man who is passionate about African tribal art, who are planning to open a children’s museum of African art in Baltimore. Following the couple as they move their collection from their small store into a new space farther out in the city, the film meditates on the role of art, whether in handcrafts or filmmaking, in building a community.
I’m Wavy
Some new music with @thespiritualforce 🌊🎉
This is a record off the Young Michael: Original Soundtrack Album which was made for @kahliabdu ‘s film “Young Michael: The Making of Shiny Gloves Club,” .
It’s an amazing project and I hope you can support it ! ❤️
ROOTS
Photography - 2015
This project explores honoring a woman as the root/ base of the family or our existence (we all came from women so they are the roots of the family tree or the base)