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Julia Beverly / Contributor by way of Getty Photographs
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Gunna performs onstage throughout Scorching 107.9 Birthday Bash
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Key Takeaways:
- Gunna and Asake will headline the inaugural Afro+ Fest in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 31.
- Artists from throughout the diaspora — together with Gabzy, Shatta Wale and Shenseea — will carry out on the one-day occasion.
- Afro+ Fest can even function meals, trend and a market for Black-owned manufacturers, aiming to uplift native tradition and enterprise.
Atlanta rapper Gunna and Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter Asake can be headlining Afro+ Fest, which is being touted as Washington, D.C.’s first competition for World Black music. The one-day occasion goes down on Aug. 31, which additionally occurs to be throughout Labor Day Weekend.
Afro+ Fest will happen on the RFK Pageant Grounds and includes a large lineup of expertise from throughout the globe. Contemplating the rise in recognition of Afrobeats stateside and that the capital’s nickname is “Chocolate Metropolis,” the placement alternative makes good sense.
In addition to Gunna and Asake, acts from throughout the diaspora are additionally on the invoice, together with British-Nigerian singer Gabzy, Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist Shatta Wale, Jamaican dancehall singer/rapper Shenseea, South African-based DJ Uncle Waffles and plenty of extra. One other act attendees might even see as a particular visitor is native rap star Shy Glizzy, who can be conducting an “A Tribute to DC” set.
As for Afro+ Fest, their objective is to honor international Black music — together with genres like Hip Hop, Afrobeats, soca, R&B and dancehall — by way of a enjoyable, all-age pleasant setting. In addition to the slate of performers, meals distributors meting out international delicacies, artwork installations, trend activations and a market for Black‑owned manufacturers and creators can even be readily available.
“That is the block occasion we have dreamed about for a decade,” mentioned Michael Awosanya, the founder and government producer of Afro+ Fest, in an announcement. “With the help of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Occasions DC, Afro+Fest is bringing the total diaspora to RFK — music, meals, tradition — pushed by the individuals and sounds that form us.”
Together with its cultural influence, Afro+Fest can also be anticipated to be a monetary constructive for D.C. “The competition’s influence can be felt not solely by means of the music, however in the actual alternatives it creates for native companies and visionaries,” Awosanya added.
Tickets for Afro+ Fest are already out there at theafroplus.com.