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Function Philly: How Two Creatives Turned a Backyard Vibe Into a Movement

What do you get when two friends decide to throw a party—but end up building a platform?

You get Function Philly.

Founded by Rob and JB, Function isn’t just another nightlife brand. It’s a cultural ecosystem. A space where Black creatives, musicians, visual artists, and entrepreneurs can connect, create, and build something bigger than themselves.

On this episode of Beyond the Brand, I sat down with the duo behind the Function movement to talk about how they went from throwing grassroots events with no budget to partnering with Bacardi, packing out venues like TLA, and shifting the narrative around Philly nightlife.



The Power of the First Vibe

Function didn’t start with a business plan or a five-year roadmap. It started with a backyard, a speaker, and a need.

“We wanted a place to bring people together,” JB says. “Somewhere that felt like us. Somewhere that felt safe.”

That first Function event wasn’t about scale — it was about soul. And that soul is what’s carried the brand through late nights, venue

politics, and algorithm shifts.

Rob, the DJ and creative director behind Function’s branding, brought the sound and the aesthetic. JB brought strategy, structure, and community leadership. Together, they created a vibe that was impossible to fake — and impossible to ignore.


From Ulana to TLA: Scaling Without Losing the Sauce

Function quickly outgrew basements and backyards. They moved to small venues. Then bigger ones. Eventually, they found themselves collaborating with brands, hosting at The Fillmore, and selling out TLA — all while staying true to their values.

“Philly can be a hard place to grow something,” Rob admits. “But that pressure builds diamonds. You have to work harder for your community here, and that’s what makes it real.”

Function events became more than parties. They became activations — blending live music, art installations, vendor markets, and intentional design. Every flyer. Every light cue. Every projection. Curated with purpose.

Community First. Always.

What makes Function different is that it isn’t trying to go viral. It’s trying to go deeper.

“Our events feel like family reunions,” JB says. “People come early. They stay late. They talk. They connect.”

In a city where nightlife can feel transactional, Function built a space rooted in relationships. They highlight Black-owned vendors. They create paid opportunities for creatives. And they’re building a model that isn’t just cool — it’s sustainable.

Lessons in Leadership and Knowing Your Worth

Behind the scenes, Rob and JB are learning on the fly — budgeting, scaling, hiring, dealing with sponsors, and maintaining their own mental health.

They talk openly about:

  • Burnout

  • Chasing invoices

  • The realities of creative labor

  • What “knowing your worth” really looks like when rent is due

Function isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And it’s about doing the hard work to build a brand that serves the people who helped create it.

So What’s Next?

Rob and JB aren’t stopping. They’re plotting new collaborations. Working on summer events. And exploring ways to scale Function without losing its identity.

That includes more partnerships, more platforms, and more ways to showcase Black creativity — not just in Philly, but everywhere.

“We don’t want to be everywhere,” Rob says. “We want to be impactful.”

Final Thought: From Vibes to Vision

Function Philly didn’t start with a blueprint. It started with a feeling.

But Rob and JB turned that feeling into a foundation — one rooted in creativity, consistency, and community.

They’ve shown that if you build something real, people will find you. Support you. And grow with you.

“We’re not just throwing events. We’re building something people can believe in.”





And that’s what it looks like to go beyond the brand.


Follow John here https://www.instagram.com/johnalexanderbrown/ Follow The Function PHL https://www.instagram.com/functionphl/ for more events

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