Sufferhead Original

The Sufferhead Original project is a unique craft beer concept inspired by the experiences of African immigrants in Europe. It aims to communicate the stereotypes, political differences, and integration challenges faced by these expatriates through its brewing and branding. The project involves extensive research and conversations to blend diasporic and gustatory experiences into a distinctive beer recipe. It uses beer’s characteristics, brewing politics, and branding to address issues of migration, race, and stereotypes about African immigrants.

The beer’s name, “Sufferhead Original,” is derived from the 1981 song “Original Suffer Head” by Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, which highlighted Nigeria’s political and economic issues leading to mass emigration in the 1980s. The project extends beyond brewing to explore African immigrant experiences through beer branding, incorporating labels, clichés, and occurrences into its advertisements.

Sufferhead Original has been developed in various European cities, each offering a unique beer and advertising campaign reflecting the local flavours and stories of the African diaspora. Collaborating with local breweries, the beer symbolizes migration as a fusion of two places. While the Sufferhead Original bottle and label maintain a consistent appearance, the flavour and experience differ in each city, mirroring the inner transformation of immigrants.