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Afropunk Festival

{{short description|American black music festival}}

{{infobox music festival

| music_festival_name =

| image = Afropunk Fest 2013 (9695793808).jpg

| caption = 2013 Afropunk Festival

| location =

| years_active = 2005-Present

| website = {{URL|http://afropunk.com/}}

}}

The Afropunk Festival began in 2005, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. By 2018, Afropunk Festivals had also been held in various major cities, including Atlanta, London, Salvador, Dakar, and Johannesburg. The festival was co-founded by James Spooner and Matthew Morgan, and grew out of the 2003 documentary titled Afro-Punk which studied black punks across America.[https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/08/21/afropunk-started-with-a-documentary-ten-years-two-websites-and-eight-festivals-later/ AfroPunk Started With a Documentary], Village Voice

History

{{see also|Afro-Punk (film)}}

= 2005-2008 =

The festival was targeted towards black alternative-minded punks and supported by The Brooklyn Academy of Music. As the festival grew and the music industry became more diverse, the musical curation shifted towards reaching a broader black audience and the festival also began charging an admission fee.[https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/gentrifying-afropunk Gentrifying AfroPunk], New Yorker Due to festival alterations that deviated from the original Afropunk culture, former co-founder, James Spooner ended his involvement in 2008.[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/15/we-still-need-to-be-seen-behind-the-rise-of-black-punk-culture We Still Need to be Seen: The Rise of Black Punk Culture], The Guardian

= 2009-2019 =

Jocelyn A. Cooper became involved with the festival in 2009. Afropunk Festival grew to hundreds and thousands of attendees,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/is-the-afropunk-festival-no-longer-punk-813/|title=Is Afropunk Fest No Longer Punk?|last=Josephs|first=Brian|date=August 17, 2015|website=VICE|access-date=March 7, 2017}} expanding into the cities of Atlanta, Paris, London, Johannesburg South Africa, Salvador, Brazil, Miami, and Minneapolis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3043954/jocelyn-cooper|title=Jocelyn Cooper|last=Naasel|first=Kenrya|date=11 May 2015|website=Fast Company|access-date=11 May 2017}} Some notable artist performances by FKA Twigs, Tyler, the Creator, and Erykah Badu, set a new standard for the impression made by the festival.

Afropunk 2019's lineup also featured celebrated artists such as Jill Scott, Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty, and EarthGang, further amplifying the festival's reputation as a space for diverse and radical Black expression. In addition to musical acts, the event provided a platform for activism, beauty showcases, and photobooths that enriched the overall experience.

= 2020-Present =

Afropunk is acquired by entrepreneur Richelieu Dennis and Essence Ventures.[https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestheculture/2021/09/08/richelieu-denniss-essence-ventures-has-acquired-beautycon-media-inc-will-take-over-beautycon-festival/?sh=14b098292d0c Richelieu Dennis’s Essence Ventures Has Acquired BeautyCon Media, Inc.], Forbes Magazine The festival adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by hosting its first virtual event in 2020, branded as Planet Afropunk: Past, Present, and Future is Black. This virtual edition, held from October 23 to 25, showcased global talent and tackled critical socio-political issues. The lineup included artists like Ari Lennox, Meshell Ndegeocello, Moses Sumney, serpentwithfeet, and Tiwa Savage. Alongside performances, it featured virtual art galleries, Black hair showcases, and discussions on topics such as systemic racism, prison reform, and the criminal justice system. Attendees were encouraged to donate to organizations such as Color of Change and the Equal Justice Initiative.{{Cite web |last=Moreland |first=Quinn |date=2020-09-21 |title=Afropunk 2020 Will Return Virtually |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/afropunk-announces-virtual-festival/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mensah |first=Gig |date=2020-10-19 |title=Planet Afropunk Festival 2020: It’s global, it’s massive and it’s going virtual |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/entertainment/planet-afropunk-festival-2020-lineup-common/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}

Criticisms

Having emerged from political punk roots, Afropunk Festival has faced criticism at times,[https://mg.co.za/article/2017-05-19-00-afropunks-growing-gains-and-pains AfroPunk's Growing Pains], Mail & Guardian including backlash over booking artists such as M.I.A.,{{cite web |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/09/12/aim-and-mias-provocative-pop |title=M.I.A.'s Provocative Pop |website=www.newyorker.com}} Ice Cube{{cite web| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ice-cube-defends-misogyny-in-nwa-lyrics_us_55ce1c35e4b055a6dab03267 |title=Ice Cube Justifies Lyrics |website=www.huffingtonpost.com}} and Tyler the Creator.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/may/08/odd-future-tyler-creator-rape |title=Rappers and Rape |website=www.theguardian.com}}

Attendees have also critiqued the values of Afropunk's organizers surrounding LGBTQ concerns, treatment of employees, and its corporate leanings. Some attendees critique the festival for appealing to white audiences,[https://www.teenvogue.com/story/cultural-appropriation-ally-afropunk How to be a Good Ally at AfroPunk] including an instance of attendees being removed from an area of the festival for wearing a homemade t-shirt critical of the event.[https://www.theroot.com/couple-thrown-out-of-afropunk-for-protest-t-shirt-quest-1828793292 Couple Thrown Out Of AfroPunk VIP], The Root In August 2018, Afropunk's Editor-In-Chief resigned after over a decade of work for Afropunk citing mistreatment and a corporate agenda he labeled "performative activism".[https://www.thefader.com/2018/09/05/afropunk-editor-resigns-cites-performative-activism-employee-mistreatment-open-letter Afropunk Editor Resigns][https://www.vibe.com/2018/10/afropunk-festival-staff-reports-abuse/ Festival Staff Abuse, Vibe Magazine]

Performers

{{Incomplete list|date=May 2023}}

=Brooklyn, July 3–8, 2009=

{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/afropunk-2009-b/|title="Afro-Punk – 2009 Brooklyn festival dates & lineup (Janelle Monae, Living Colour, Earl Greyhound, Saul Williams…)"|access-date=2023-05-13|archive-date=2021-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127085717/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/afropunk-2009-b/|url-status=live}}

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  • Pure Hell
  • Whole Wheat Bread
  • American Fangs
  • Game Rebellion
  • The Objex
  • Joya Bravo
  • Living Colour
  • Earl Grey Hound
  • Tamar Kali
  • The London Souls
  • Apollo Heights
  • Sabatta
  • Saul Williams
  • Janelle Monáe
  • The Dallas Austin Experience
  • Elevator Fight
  • Chewing Pic's
  • Peekaboo Theory
  • Blackie

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=Brooklyn, June 25–27, 2010=

{{cite web|url=http://www.afropunk.com/page/afropunk-10-nyc|title="Afropunk '10 NYC - AFRO-PUNK"|access-date=2023-05-13|archive-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220150557/http://www.afropunk.com/page/afropunk-10-nyc|url-status=dead}}

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  • Bad Brains
  • P.O.S
  • God Forbid
  • Ninjasonik
  • The 54
  • Cipher
  • Game Rebellion
  • The Bots
  • Belikos
  • Activator
  • DJ MU$A
  • DJ D://BOI
  • Mos Def
  • 24-7 Spyz
  • J*DaVeY
  • The Cool Kids
  • Martin Luther
  • K-OS
  • The Memorials
  • Bad Rabbits
  • Galaxy of Tar

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=2011 cancelation=

Cancelled due to Hurricane Irene.{{cite web|url=http://afropunkfest.com/2012/|title="Afropunk Festival - August 25-26 2012 - Commodore Barry Park Brooklyn, New York"|access-date=2023-05-13|archive-date=2014-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824004350/http://afropunkfest.com/2012/#the-bands|url-status=usurped}}

=Brooklyn, August 25–26, 2012=

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  • Reggie Watts
  • Janelle Monáe
  • Erykah Badu
  • Gym Class Heroes
  • Straight Line Stitch
  • DJ Smoke L.E.S.
  • Joe Jordan's Experiment
  • The Supasonics
  • E.Z. Mo Breezy of Grits & Biscuits
  • Purple Ferdinand
  • Flatbush Zombies
  • Sinkane
  • Venus x GHE20 G0TH1K
  • TV On The Radio
  • Oxymorron
  • Alice Smith
  • Tess
  • Roofeeo
  • Stack-Aly
  • Inky Jack
  • Radkey
  • Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely
  • Ninjasonik
  • The Memorials
  • Spank Rock
  • The Skins
  • Cerebal Ballzy
  • Gordon Voidwell
  • Bad Rabbits
  • Toro Y Moi
  • Das Racist
  • Phony Ppl
  • Body Language

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=Brooklyn, August 24–25, 2013=

{{cite web|url=http://afropunkfest.com/2013/|title="AFROPUNK FEST :: August 24-25 2013 - Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn | New York"|access-date=2023-05-13|archive-date=2014-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829234505/http://afropunkfest.com/2013/#the-bands|url-status=usurped}}

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  • Wicked Wisdom
  • Living Colour
  • Roofeo
  • DJ mOma
  • Chuck D & DJ Lord
  • ?uestlove
  • Death
  • The Heavy
  • Trash Talk
  • Danny Brown
  • Saul Williams
  • Theophilus London
  • Vintage Trouble
  • The London Souls
  • The Coup
  • Mykki Blanco
  • k-os
  • Big Freedia
  • Rye Rye
  • Le1f
  • Jean Grae
  • CX KIDTRONIK
  • The Dust Rays
  • The Skins
  • MEAΔTLOAF MUZIK
  • Rebelmatic
  • Unlocking the Truth
  • Sunny Gang
  • Pyyramids
  • MikeQ
  • Mess Kid
  • The White Mandingos
  • Sebastian
  • DJ Mr. Hernandez
  • PatPervert
  • Mursi Layne
  • UNIIQU3
  • J Lamar
  • Small Axe
  • Stack-Aly
  • Prince Paul
  • Mick Collins
  • Larry B
  • Teachers

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=Brooklyn, August 23–24, 2014=

{{cite web|url=http://afropunkfest.com/the-bands/|title="Bands - AFROPUNK FEST :: August 23-24 2014"|access-date=2023-05-13|archive-date=2014-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829234648/http://afropunkfest.com/the-bands/|url-status=usurped}}

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=Brooklyn, August 22–23, 2015=

{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/afropunk-2015-brooklyn-lineup-352183/|title="This Lineup Proves Why AfroPunk Festival Is A Must-See This Year"|access-date=2023-04-29|archive-date=2021-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614130248/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/afropunk-2015-brooklyn-lineup-352183/|url-status=live}}

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=Brooklyn, August 27–28, 2016=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/2016/07/afropunk-announces-additions-to-2016-brooklyn-lineup-including-laura-mvula-yaadcore-ho99o9-blxpltn-sir-the-baptist-more/|title="afropunk announces additions to 2016 brooklyn lineup including laura mvula, yaadcore, ho99o9, blxpltn, sir the baptist & more | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-29|archive-date=2023-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429211024/https://afropunk.com/2016/07/afropunk-announces-additions-to-2016-brooklyn-lineup-including-laura-mvula-yaadcore-ho99o9-blxpltn-sir-the-baptist-more/|url-status=live}}

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=Brooklyn, August 26–27, 2017=

{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/afropunk-brooklyn-2017-lineup-7752290/|title="AFROPUNK Returns to Brooklyn in 2017 with Gary Clark Jr, Kaytranada, Dizzee Rascal & More"|access-date=2023-04-29|archive-date=2022-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005064923/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/afropunk-brooklyn-2017-lineup-7752290/|url-status=live}}

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=Paris, July 14–15, 2018=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/2018/03/afropunk-brooklyn-2018-line-announced/|title="Afropunk Brooklyn 2018 Line-up Announced | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2023-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129232106/https://afropunk.com/2018/03/afropunk-brooklyn-2018-line-announced/|url-status=live}}

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=Brooklyn, August 25–26, 2018=

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=Atlanta, October 13–14, 2018=

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=Johannesburg, December 30–31, 2018=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/2018/07/joburg-afropunk-joburg-2018-lineup-announced/|title="joburg! afropunk joburg 2018 lineup announced! | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2023-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422230731/https://afropunk.com/2018/07/joburg-afropunk-joburg-2018-lineup-announced/|url-status=live}}

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=Paris, July 13–14, 2019=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/paris/|title="Paris | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2019-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009111251/https://afropunk.com/festival/paris/|url-status=live}}

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=Brooklyn, August 24–25, 2019=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/brooklyn/|title="BROOKLYN | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2019-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003062053/https://afropunk.com/festival/brooklyn/|url-status=live}}

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=Atlanta, October 12–13, 2019=

{{cite web|url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/afropunk-presents-the-carnival-of-consciousness-2019/|title="Afropunk Presents: The Carnival of Consciousness 2019"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2023-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422191019/https://newnoisemagazine.com/afropunk-presents-the-carnival-of-consciousness-2019/|url-status=live}}

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=Johannesburg, December 30–31, 2019=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/joburg/|title="JOBURG | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-11-04|archive-date=2023-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105030409/https://afropunk.com/festival/joburg/|url-status=live}}

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  • Solange
  • Miguel
  • Masego
  • Goldlink
  • Nao
  • Sjava
  • Sho Madjozi
  • Kwani Experience
  • Urban Village
  • Zoe Modiga
  • Blinky Bill
  • Morena Leraba
  • Darkie Fiction
  • TCIYF
  • Umlilo
  • House of Diamonds
  • House of Reve
  • Jazzidisciples
  • DJ Kenzhero
  • DBN Gogo
  • Batekoo
  • Gina Jeanz
  • Zara Julius
  • Lelowhatsgood
  • Fif_laaa

{{div col end}}

=Virtual, October 23–25, 2020=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/2020/10/afropunk-extends-lineup-for-2020-virtual-festival-planet-afropunk/|title="AFROPUNK EXTENDS LINEUP FOR 2020 VIRTUAL FESTIVAL PLANET AFROPUNK | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-29|archive-date=2021-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017083208/https://afropunk.com/2020/10/afropunk-extends-lineup-for-2020-virtual-festival-planet-afropunk/|url-status=live}}

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=Atlanta, September 25–26, 2021=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/atlanta-2/|title="ATLANTA | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2022-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527195350/https://afropunk.com/festival/atlanta-2/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://wl.seetickets.us/event/AFROPUNK-ATLANTA-2021/433602?afflky=Afropunk|title="Buy Tickets to AFROPUNK ATLANTA 2021 in Atlanta on Sep 25, 2021 - Sep 26,2021"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2022-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512182449/https://wl.seetickets.us/event/AFROPUNK-ATLANTA-2021/433602?afflky=Afropunk|url-status=live}}

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=Miami, May 20–22, 2022=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/miami/line-up/|title="Line-up | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2022-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527101445/https://afropunk.com/festival/miami/line-up/|url-status=live}}

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=Minneapolis, June 18–19, 2022=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/minneapolis/line-up/|title="Minneapolis Festival Line up | Event Is Closed | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2023-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419052802/https://afropunk.com/festival/minneapolis/line-up/|url-status=live}}

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=Brooklyn, September 10–11, 2022=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/brooklyn/|title="BROOKLYN 2022 | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2023-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418190552/https://afropunk.com/festival/brooklyn/|url-status=live}}

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=Bahia, November 26–27, 2022=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/bahia/|title="Bahia 2022 | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-11-04|archive-date=2023-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628174815/https://afropunk.com/festival/bahia/|url-status=live}}

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  • Ludmilla
  • Rayssa Dias
  • Young Piva
  • Baile Favelle
  • N.I.N.A.
  • Paulilo Paredao
  • Margareth Menezes
  • Emicida
  • A Dama featuring MC Carol
  • Baco
  • Liniker
  • Black Pantera
  • ÀTTØØXXÁ & Karol Conka
  • Psirico
  • Mart'Nalia & Larissa Luz convidam Nelson Rufino
  • Nic Dias
  • Ministereo Publico Sound System
  • Yan Cloud
  • Dawer x Damper
  • Masego

{{div col end}}

=Manhattan, February 24–25, 2023=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/blackherstory/|title="Black HERSTORY | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-11-04|archive-date=2023-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628175533/https://afropunk.com/festival/blackherstory/|url-status=live}}

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  • Mahogany L. Browne
  • Aja Monet
  • Celisse
  • Danielle Ponder
  • India Arie
  • Ebony Williams
  • Sarah Jones
  • Umi
  • Mereba

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=Brooklyn, August 26–27, 2023=

{{cite web|url=https://afropunk.com/festival/brooklyn/|title="Brooklyn 2023 | AFROPUNK"|access-date=2023-11-04|archive-date=2023-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827095628/https://afropunk.com/festival/brooklyn/|url-status=live}}

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  • Teyana Taylor
  • Flying Lotus
  • Joey Badass
  • Vince Staples
  • Tobe Nwigwe
  • Baby Tate
  • Durand Bernarr
  • Sudan Archives
  • The Beatnuts
  • Dreamer Isioma
  • Amindi
  • Enny
  • Rahzel
  • Madison McFerrin
  • Jack Freeman
  • Iniko
  • DBN Gogo
  • Akwaeke Emezi
  • Proper.
  • Cleo Reed
  • Dawer x Damper
  • King Isis
  • Uniity
  • The Soapbox Presents
  • Bembona
  • Winter Wolf
  • The Rack
  • DJ SNS
  • Stonie Blue
  • DJ Mohogany
  • Wemi

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= Brooklyn, August 23–24, 2024 =

{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Shelby |date=2024-08-22 |title=Here Are All The Performers Headed To AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA |url=https://afropunk.com/2024/08/all-the-performers-headed-to-afropunk-blktopia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823191029/https://afropunk.com/2024/08/all-the-performers-headed-to-afropunk-blktopia/ |archive-date=2024-08-23 |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=AFROPUNK |language=en-US}}

References

{{reflist}}

{{coord|40.697104|-73.979037|type:event_globe:earth_region:US-NY|display=title}}

Category:Music festivals in New York City

Category:African-American festivals

Category:Punk rock festivals

Category:African Americans in New York City