Yannick “Thurz” Koffi shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Yannick “Thurz”, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that is bringing me joy, is watching my daughter enter her Freshman year of college in New York. She is pursuing a career in Fashion, and her application process was way more tedious compared to when I was applying to school. I watched her create a portfolio spanning across different mediums; animation, acrylic paint, sculpting, and illustrating croquees to sewing garments. She got accepted into 8 of the 9 schools that she applied to with scholarship packages. Before taking off to NY, we created a space for her to do a private Art Show for family and friends. I was very proud to see all of her work on display in the space and watching all of our family support her journey.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Yannick “Thurz” Koffi. I am an artist, storyteller, and cultural curator from Inglewood, CA. My journey has been a constant path of self-discovery and community building that has allowed me to build a custom universe, platform and brand known as Party In My Living Room. My career has been rooted in a DIY ethos, from my early days in the hip-hop duo U-N-I, to being an independent writer with Dr. Dre at Aftermath, to my latest release, YANNICK KOFFI IN TIME. I’ve always believed in creating without waiting for permission — whether that means giving away CDs on Market Street and Melrose, co-directing my own visuals, producing house party concerts, or working on major festival stages like Coachella.
PIMLR began as a grassroots house party in Inglewood and has since evolved into a multi-city, multi-format performance platform that’s hosted talent like SiR, 9th Wonder, De La Soul, and BLXST, with partnerships from brands like Red Bull, Google Pixel, and Goldenvoice. It’s part live event, part cultural connector — designed to highlight Black artistry and community on every level.
Alongside that, I continue to create music that documents life as a father, entrepreneur, and independent creative. My latest album, YANNICK KOFFI IN TIME, explores themes like ego, legacy, and technology through the lens of a day in my life, assisted (and challenged) by my AI assistant, Sirihanna. I’ve also recently partnered with Suno to launch Relatives & Cousins Vol. 1, the first PIMLR album — an experimental project blending human creativity with AI-assisted music tools.
Everything I create — music, events, digital content — is about building community, documenting culture, and pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a Black creative in today’s world. Whether in a living room or on a festival stage, I want the work to feel real, necessary, and impactful.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was around the age of three, when I discovered I could draw. I’d sketch superheroes, characters from movies, and scenes from my imagination—anything I could visualize, I could bring to life on paper. As I stayed consistent with drawing into elementary school, I began to realize the power of creativity: the ability to take an idea and make it real.
That early practice of imagination and execution became a foundation for everything I do. Over time, the medium evolved from paper to sound—songwriting became my new canvas. Whether it’s visuals, lyrics, or full-blown concepts like PIMLR, that sense of power I first felt with a pencil in hand continues to drive how I bring ideas into reality today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
My journey has experienced ebbs and flows, and it is of great value to write down goals and see them through. If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would say:
“You are the source and blessed with the resources that you’ll need to manifest your reality. To influence is one of the highest forms of power, so protect yourself and your energy from those who don’t share your belief of integrity”
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to the belief that you must protect your vision at all costs. For me, that vision is the creation of a symbiotic ecosystem — one where artists and creators can operate independently while still contributing to and benefiting from a larger, collaborative community.
This isn’t just a theory; it’s a long-term reality I’ve invested in through time, leadership, and personal resources. Building something this intentional takes consistent evolution. I’ve had to grow into a better strategist, communicator, and organizer to prove that this model can work.
There are always distractions and forces that push us to subscribe to parasitic systems — structures that extract more than they give. But I believe in building alternatives: bilateral environments where ownership, creativity, and collective growth are at the core. Creating the world we want to exist in is the long game — and I’m in it for as long as it takes.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that we’ll remain dependent—and ultimately limited—by systems designed to control us if we continue to rely on things that are out of sync with nature. Whether it’s how we work, consume, heal, or create, the further we drift from natural rhythm and reciprocity, the more we risk captivity masked as convenience.
Convenience has become our crutch. It dulls our intuition and distances us from our own power. True freedom requires effort, alignment, and intention. Most people don’t realize that the systems we trust for comfort are often the very ones reinforcing our confinement. To be liberated, we have to design lives, art, and ecosystems that move in harmony with the natural order—sustainable, self-sufficient, and community-centered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://partyinmylivingroom.com
- Instagram: @kingthurz, @partyinmylivingroom
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannick-koffi/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Thurzday
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINGTHURZ/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@THURZPIMLR
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thurz
Image Credits
Pictures of Thurz by Nico Cabrera
PIMLR photos by GV Black
