An institution recognised for defining culture in the music world for over 14 years, AFROPUNK is a triumph of multiculturalism and diversity for people of all races, genders, colours, creeds and tastes. NEW YORK, ATLANTA, JOHANNESBURG and PARIS are all now home to global AFROPUNK events, with the inaugural LONDON outing adding a UK twist to proceedings. This July 22nd - 23rd, AFROPUNK returns to the city’s freshest venue - PRINTWORKS. And now, the major bill is here; with Lianne La Havas, Nao, Danny Brown, Thundercat, Jme, Willow Smith, The Heavy, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jazzie B, Little Simz, Jazz Re:freshed, Nadia Rose, Kojey Radical, Connie Constance, Blacktronica, Gal-dem Djs, Born N Bread Djs a special guest and more all stepping up. Plus there’s the marketplace, food, art and style. Grab a weekend ticket from £90 here.
WE THE PEOPLE : As AFROPUNK expands further with the first outing in Johannesburg, South Africa, the theme for 2017 is WE THE PEOPLE; a phrase that begins both the American and South African constitutions. The move to Johannesburg is a natural fit in line with AFROPUNK’s desire to connect through Diaspora; creating bonds between those with a shared mindset. From the neighbourhoods of New York, through to U.S. and Europe, and now in yet another continent, this AFROPUNK mindset is less concerned with genres and pigeonholes than the strength and unity of otherness. Modern South Africa is proof of the victory of otherness over historical precedent, and of the country's desire to mold a society based on virtues that are at the core of AFROPUNK. Check the full WE THE PEOPLE statement from AFROPUNK below.
AFROPUNK LONDON : Thoughtful curation sees grime, punk, hip-hop, soul, reggae, roots, soul, pop genres, plus more across the AFROPUNK London weekend; heritage names who’ve changed the game play along young guns shaping their scenes. Founding father of grime and BBK original JME reps for London talent, an artist who has driven grime from London basements to the forefront of UK music. Soul-folk fusionist LIANNE LA HAVAS brings her trademark delicate sound, plus a mainstay of the British alternative for almost two decades, treading the lines between rock, blues and ska; THE HEAVY. Soul II Soul’s JAZZIE B joins, a leading light in British black music.
US tastes are catered for with Detroit native DANNY BROWN, one of the most unique, challenging faces in hip-hop. Fresh from releasing ‘DRUNK’, THUNDERCAT will bring a blend of fresh jazz beats to London’s Printworks, whilst the incredible WILLOW SMITH will make a rare UK performance. Also on board is rapper, actor and slam poet SAUL WILLIAMS; all promising to be mind-blowing performances
London’s neo-soul sensation NAO is another heavy-hitter on board, along with fellow songstresses CORINNE BAILEY RAE and future-soul prodigy CONNIE CONSTANCE, whose dream-like vocals have tipped her one to watch. Another Londoner with fire energy who has risen to the top is MC LITTLE SIMZ, plus breakout names NADIA ROSE, multi-media artist and rapper KOJEY RADICAL, and BIG FREEDIA, SATE, OBGM’S, MAHALIA and BLACK ORCHID are also set to soundtrack the weekend.
AFROPUNK London also unites the best DJs to step up; including West-London turned global collective, JAZZ RE:FRESHED, party crews BLACKTRONICA and FAM, plus selectors from NTS Radio crew BORN N BRED, and pioneering all-female collective GAL-DEM. Soulection member HANNAH FAITH returns to AP for the second time, plus Radio 1’s CLARA AMFO and 1xtra’s JAMZ SUPERNOVA.
Outside of all of this, there’s a lot more to find and do. Printworks London will play host to a vibrant space filled with artists, creatives, designers, exhibitions and food vendors. Attendees are encouraged to become a part of the AFROPUNK community through the marketplace, with pop-ups, art and stalls - it’s about creating an extended family of AFROPUNK, with a united voice to be heard and celebrated. Partners for this year include i-D Magazine, gal-dem and CRACK, who’ll each play a role in crafting your AFROPUNK experience, details to follow. On-site arts, stalls, food, DJ sets and extra’s to be announced in the coming months. Learn more at the AFROPUNK website: afropunkfest.com/london/