The Brooklyn Funk Factory
Hi, and welcome to The Brooklyn Funk Factory™ — a space dedicated to highlight the people behind NYC’s creative soul. Founded in 2009 in Downtown Brooklyn by Gyzellah, the project was built to bring people together, uplift one another, and give a platform to the raw, untapped talent that keeps this city moving.
At its core, this is about the people. Brooklyn Funk Factory shines a light on the community — sharing real stories, real conversations, and building a living archive of the artists, dancers, musicians, and visionaries who keep the city alive through art, sound, movement, and resistance.
Jakuan Melendez
A throwback to 2001: NYC toy designer and 360 Toygroup founder Jakuan Melendez in conversation with Gyzellah (aka Mo) for Freshmilk TV, filmed on the Lower East Side.
About Jakuan: Known for blending art and street culture, Jakuan Melendez sparked the vinyl toy movement when he launched 360 Toygroup in 1999. His vision of creating high-end art objects set the standard for production in the industry. Each figure he designs goes beyond play — it’s a statement on culture and life. His work redefined the line between art and collectibles, helping inspire today’s thriving designer toy scene.
Check out his work on Artsy and his collab at Objective Collectibles.