Joey Bada$$, Jazmine Sullivan and Flying Lotus are just some of the hard-hitters scheduled to perform at this year’s AFROPUNK festival in Brooklyn.
The annual arts festival will make its way back to New York City this summer, but with a few alterations. The two-day event will no longer occupy Commodore Barry Park and instead take over Greenpoint Terminal Market.
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Additionally, the gathering will be held together by a theme, “CIRCUS OF SOUL – transforming the riverside blacktop into a carnivalesque exhibition that spotlights all aspects of Black creativity, soundtracked by music that speaks to the heart of the Black experience.”
Jazmine Sullivan and Flying Lotus have bagged the two main-event slots for the last weekend of August. Check out the full lineup below:
The AFROPUNK website posted the following statement about the upcoming festival: “Attention all rebels, misfits, and non-conformists! It’s time to mark your calendars because AFROPUNK BROOKLYN 2023 is coming. Get ready for an unapologetically fierce celebration of black culture and music, taking place on August 26th and 27th.”
Regarding the cultural significance of the event, the organizers added: “AFROPUNK isn’t just about the music, it’s a community of people who reject societal norms and embrace their true selves, no matter what anyone else thinks.
“So leave the daily grind behind, let your true self shine, and party like there’s no tomorrow. This is a space where you can let your freak flag fly and be proud of who you are. Join us for a weekend of music, culture, and unapologetic rebellion at AFROPUNK BROOKLYN 2023.”
On Monday (June 19), Jazmine Sullivan had to cancel her performance at a Juneteenth celebration in Los Angeles following what many say was a stampede.
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“I hope everyone made it home to their loved ones tonight!” Sullivan wrote on her Instagram Story. “I’m so disappointed we couldn’t come together and celebrate Juneteenth! If you’re still at the park please leave. The show is cancelled [crying emoji].”
Fortunately, she will be making up for her absence on the West Coast by headlining another gig that celebrates Black culture.
Last year, AFROPUNK returned to Brooklyn for the first time since 2019 with a stacked lineup. Performers included Freddie Gibbs, Isaiah Rashad, Tierra Whack, Mick Jenkins, BbyMutha, Earl Sweatshirt, Pink Siifu and others. The Roots were also present, only a few months after the group celebrated their 30th year together as a unit.
