Wikipedia

Afropunk Festival

AFROPUNK is a global platform celebrating Black creativity, diversity, and freedom of expression. For 20 years, it has been a haven for artists, thinkers, and dreamers, fostering community and shaping culture through transformative experiences and impactful content. From its Brooklyn roots to cities like Bahia, Paris, Johannesburg, and Dakar, AFROPUNK amplifies voices of change and redefines the global Black experience. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we deepen our mission to honor individuality, strengthen connections, and inspire transformative action.

Afropunk Festival
2013 Afropunk Festival
Years active2005-Present
Websiteafropunk.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, Paris, France, London, UK, Salvador, Brazil, Dakar, Senegal, and Johannesburg, South Africa. 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.[1]

History

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See also: Afro-Punk (film)

2005-2008

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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.[2] Due to festival alterations that deviated from the original Afropunk culture, former co-founder, James Spooner ended his involvement in 2008.[3]

2009-2019

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Jocelyn A. Cooper became involved with the festival in 2009. Afropunk Festival grew to hundreds and thousands of attendees,[4] expanding into the cities of Atlanta, Paris, London, Johannesburg South Africa, Salvador, Brazil, Miami, and Minneapolis.[5] 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

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Afropunk is acquired by entrepreneur Richelieu Dennis and Essence Ventures.[6]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.[7][8]

Criticisms

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Having emerged from political punk roots, Afropunk Festival has faced criticism at times,[9] including backlash over booking artists such as M.I.A.,[10] Ice Cube[11] and Tyler the Creator.[12]

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,[13] including an instance of attendees being removed from an area of the festival for wearing a homemade t-shirt critical of the event.[14] 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".[15][16]

Performers

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Brooklyn, July 3–8, 2009

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[17]

  • 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

Brooklyn, June 25–27, 2010

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[18]

  • 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

2011 cancelation

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Cancelled due to Hurricane Irene.[19]

Brooklyn, August 25–26, 2012

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[19]

  • 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

Brooklyn, August 24–25, 2013

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[20]

  • 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

Brooklyn, August 23–24, 2014

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[21]

Brooklyn, August 22–23, 2015

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[22]

Brooklyn, August 27–28, 2016

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[23]

Brooklyn, August 26–27, 2017

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[24]

Paris, July 14–15, 2018

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[25]

Brooklyn, August 25–26, 2018

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[25]

Atlanta, October 13–14, 2018

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[25]

Johannesburg, December 30–31, 2018

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[26]

Paris, July 13–14, 2019

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[27]

Brooklyn, August 24–25, 2019

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[28]

Atlanta, October 12–13, 2019

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[29]

Johannesburg, December 30–31, 2019

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[30]

  • 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

Virtual, October 23–25, 2020

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[31]

Atlanta, September 25–26, 2021

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[32][33]

Miami, May 20–22, 2022

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[34]

Minneapolis, June 18–19, 2022

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[35]

Brooklyn, September 10–11, 2022

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[36]

Bahia, November 26–27, 2022

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[37]

  • 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

Manhattan, February 24–25, 2023

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[38]

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

Brooklyn, August 26–27, 2023

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[39]

  • 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

Brooklyn, August 23–24, 2024

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[40]

References

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  1. ^ AfroPunk Started With a Documentary, Village Voice
  2. ^ Gentrifying AfroPunk, New Yorker
  3. ^ We Still Need to be Seen: The Rise of Black Punk Culture, The Guardian
  4. ^ Josephs, Brian (August 17, 2015). "Is Afropunk Fest No Longer Punk?". VICE. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  5. ^ Naasel, Kenrya (11 May 2015). "Jocelyn Cooper". Fast Company. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  6. ^ Richelieu Dennis’s Essence Ventures Has Acquired BeautyCon Media, Inc., Forbes Magazine
  7. ^ Moreland, Quinn (2020-09-21). "Afropunk 2020 Will Return Virtually". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  8. ^ Mensah, Gig (2020-10-19). "Planet Afropunk Festival 2020: It's global, it's massive and it's going virtual". The South African. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  9. ^ AfroPunk's Growing Pains, Mail & Guardian
  10. ^ "M.I.A.'s Provocative Pop". www.newyorker.com.
  11. ^ "Ice Cube Justifies Lyrics". www.huffingtonpost.com.
  12. ^ "Rappers and Rape". www.theguardian.com.
  13. ^ How to be a Good Ally at AfroPunk
  14. ^ Couple Thrown Out Of AfroPunk VIP, The Root
  15. ^ Afropunk Editor Resigns
  16. ^ Festival Staff Abuse, Vibe Magazine
  17. ^ ""Afro-Punk – 2009 Brooklyn festival dates & lineup (Janelle Monae, Living Colour, Earl Greyhound, Saul Williams…)"". Archived from the original on 2021-11-27. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  18. ^ ""Afropunk '10 NYC - AFRO-PUNK"". Archived from the original on 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  19. ^ a b ""Afropunk Festival - August 25-26 2012 - Commodore Barry Park Brooklyn, New York"". Archived from the original on 2014-08-24. Retrieved 2023-05-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. ^ ""AFROPUNK FEST :: August 24-25 2013 - Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn | New York"". Archived from the original on 2014-08-29. Retrieved 2023-05-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. ^ ""Bands - AFROPUNK FEST :: August 23-24 2014"". Archived from the original on 2014-08-29. Retrieved 2023-05-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ ""This Lineup Proves Why AfroPunk Festival Is A Must-See This Year"". Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  23. ^ ""afropunk announces additions to 2016 brooklyn lineup including laura mvula, yaadcore, ho99o9, blxpltn, sir the baptist & more | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  24. ^ ""AFROPUNK Returns to Brooklyn in 2017 with Gary Clark Jr, Kaytranada, Dizzee Rascal & More"". Archived from the original on 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  25. ^ a b c ""Afropunk Brooklyn 2018 Line-up Announced | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  26. ^ ""joburg! afropunk joburg 2018 lineup announced! | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-04-22. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  27. ^ ""Paris | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  28. ^ ""BROOKLYN | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  29. ^ ""Afropunk Presents: The Carnival of Consciousness 2019"". Archived from the original on 2023-04-22. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  30. ^ ""JOBURG | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  31. ^ ""AFROPUNK EXTENDS LINEUP FOR 2020 VIRTUAL FESTIVAL PLANET AFROPUNK | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  32. ^ ""ATLANTA | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  33. ^ ""Buy Tickets to AFROPUNK ATLANTA 2021 in Atlanta on Sep 25, 2021 - Sep 26,2021"". Archived from the original on 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  34. ^ ""Line-up | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  35. ^ ""Minneapolis Festival Line up | Event Is Closed | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  36. ^ ""BROOKLYN 2022 | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  37. ^ ""Bahia 2022 | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  38. ^ ""Black HERSTORY | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  39. ^ ""Brooklyn 2023 | AFROPUNK"". Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  40. ^ Stewart, Shelby (2024-08-22). "Here Are All The Performers Headed To AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA". AFROPUNK. Archived from the original on 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-09-05.

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