Huvila opening ceremony: Yeboyah, F, Hassan Maikal, Pesso, Yrjänä, Figaro, DJ Renaz Ebrahimi

Huvila’s opening ceremony is a night of partying and dancing with a host of the most interesting Finnish R&B and hip hop artists as well as DJ Renaz Ebrahimi, who you may know from her YleX programme. Music will fill the festival tent from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Yeboyah
Yeboyah is a hip hop artist and social influencer from Helsinki, who began her solo career in 2017. Her 2019 debut EP, Elovena EP, was nominated for an Emma Award and made Yeboyah one of the most-discussed new artists in Finland. Yeboyah’s debut album, Perhosefekti, was released in autumn 2021 and stabilised the opinionated and versatile artist’s position within Finland’s cultural field. Earlier that year, she was the only music performer to make it onto Helsingin Sanomat’s “Follow them in 2021” list.

F
F is an Emma Award-winning rap and R&B artist, whose third album, Jos, came out in spring 2022. F has been praised for her music as well as her uncensored style and ability to renew the field of Finnish hip hop and its narrow portrayal of women. F released her debut album, Mä en oo viel tarpeeks iso, in spring 2019, and her second album, Mä oon vapaa, came out in 2020.

Hassan Maikal
Hassan Maikal is a rap and R&B artist with a fantastic voice and an international sound, whose debut album, Betonitarha, was released in 2021. With singles such as Yksinäistä and Hullu, the widely-praised album received an impressive four Emma Award nominations.

Pesso
Demonstrating his affinity for numbers, Pesso signed a 33-album deal with Sony Music and released his third album, 33, on 3 March 2022. The album, inspired by boy band music and early-2000s hip hop and R&B, received the esteemed Critics’ Choice award at the Emma Gala and praise from, for example, Rumba for the album’s rewardingly surprising post-Disney world. Pesso composes, writes the lyrics, arranges and produces his music himself. He has also written music for other artists and taken part in producing an album for, for example, Pyhimys.

Yrjänä
Having released his debut single, Ruudun taa, in spring 2022, Yrjänä rose to prominence with his unique visual songs. Like a true multitalent, the artist writes, produces, records and mixes his songs himself. The debut album, Sulle rakas, was released in February 2023. In addition to his solo material, Yrjänä is known as a top class producer for the likes of Yeboyah, Isaac Sene, Hassan Maikal and Sexmane. During his short solo career, the artist has already performed at Flow Festival and Ruisrock, among others.

Figaro
Singer-songwriter Figaro released his debut album, Näin mä haluun sut muistaa, in June 2022. Figaro has written songs with several different artists, and Sexmane, Vesala and ABREU are featured on his album. Recording for Etenee Records, Figaro is a musical multitalent who combines elements from different genres in his production.

DJ Renaz Ebrahimi
The public knows Renaz Ebrahimi as a journalist and radio host as well as a part of the Mellow Yellow collective that has been working to create a safer club culture in the capital region. Ebrahimi’s DJ sets focus on hip hop and R&B but also include Afrobeat and Amapiano hooks.  She typically combines new hits and old classics in a seamless fashion.