AFROPUNK Fashion | Brooklyn 2017

AFROPUNK is a festival notorious for it's impeccable fashion game. Internationally, people await the various looks that will be presented at this conscious carnival; and for good reasons. Thinking about the way black culture is isolated from the fashion industry, AFROPUNK provides an outlet for that to thrive. Here we see all the aspects of blackness through fashion; as resistance and liberation. Black folks come to this festival strategically planning their outfit. From alternating to thrift store hunting, online ordering and distressing, we put work into our look. The fashion is no joke! The space we take at AFROPUNK is important and we treat it accordingly. Just as we respect each other highly at this festival, we also respect the intention  and effort, put into what we wear on the grounds.

While at the Brooklyn Fest this year, I captured some of the weekend looks. Black expression is one that is heavily policed daily; so to see so many of us in one place being fashionable and free was priceless. Reflecting on the barriers I break in terms of fashion rules: wearing my skirt "too short", "aggressive" lipstick colors and  an afro, is my way of flipping the bird to the constant policing. From work to toxic social norms, people categorize who can wear what. They say how someone can sport their hair styles. They decide when a trend is fashion forward or "ghetto". These are all jabs at blackness and we are not here for it.

At AFROPUNK we took down the barriers. We looked amazing. The sea of black magic and joy was overwhelming. Much of that is due to us having the autonomy to dress how we want at this place, with whatever color hair we want, whatever belly or hair out and ultimately as our true selves, that's typically downplayed for survival. The people who broke gender binaries, feminine norms and made political statements all flourished that weekend. Take a look at all the black beauty. Let's celebrate this black excellence.

 

 

 

 

AFROPUNK Brooklyn Fest | Sunday August 27, 2017

Saturday took a lot out of me, with all the running to stages and standing shoulder to shoulder. While Day I was filled with stage hopping, Day II was filled with dancing! AFROPUNK indeed ended strong with more fashion, DJs and Raphael Saadiq shutting down the entire weekend proper. 

The park had a much calmer tone. Space to lay out was readily available, so people were more laxed on their blankets. There was time to check out the market and new to the fest rec area. Folks were playing table tennis and chilling on inflated seats. It felt so good to see black people at ease. I was also able to check out the Hajjaj photo booths and the art decorating the event.

Martina McFlyy started up the dance vibes. When her set started the floor was empty and I  turned again to a crowd of black people getting in formation! The was everyone congregated in front of her stage felt so tribal. It was so much fun dancing with everyone and it felt like a family barbeque. We enjoyed ourselves and starting dance circles, dance battles and just great rhythmic dancing. The joy I had in watching black boys doing choreo together, just hyping each other and being free. It was also great to just catch eyes with another person on the floor and groove with them. Plain and simple her set brought black love. As she ended her set, Blitz the Ambassador was announced; so I eased my way to the front knowing I was about to see a spectacular performance.

Hands down: Blitz the ambassador was my favorite show on Sunday. He came with  great spirits, playful character, and mad love for New York Hip-Hop legends. His suit was dope, his showmanship was in full effect and his band was just as ready. Hearing him rap Biggie and Nas made the  crowd go off. And it was even greater to see him do some Ghanaian classics. "Diasporadical" is his latest work and Blitz blessed the stage with many of his originals from said album. The band played excellently and definitely had fun right along with Blitz. It was clear he just wanted to pay his respects and give a wonderful show, which Blitz the Ambassador absolutely did.

After Blitz's set it was time to dance again. DJ Anaisb blessed us with her jams, hailing all the way from Paris. She one again got the vibes going and the people dancing. Laolu, an artist who specializes in Ori, was drawing art on his canvass Reign which was a perfect experience during the fest. Art and culture manifested. DJ Aniasb gave us electro afro beat sound and it was really lively. I jammed to her before looking to find Nao. I had a happy accident and thought Nao was at the red stage. While did have a mini panic attack because she was at the gold stage, I was able to uncover the extreme artist that is Kevin Abstract. When I say he had me hype, I mean him and his team crowd surfing. He has the hooligan, knuckle head vibes and I'm all for it. I have to check out more of his work because he is an artist to watch.

I made my way to the gold stage to see the lovely Nao! I was not ready for her at all. Nao is on a way more spiritual and afrocentric tip than I imagined, which is pleasantly surprising! She had the crowd screaming and gazing as she danced and spun, exuding sensuality and afrocentrism. It was truly everything. She also performed "Adore", a favorite of mine; so I was euphoric. It was an enchanting performance. From "Girlfriend" to "Happy", Nao gave each song her all and was just a wonderful act from the UK.

The red stage was packed for Anderson Paak. I stood by the entrance to get a glimpse of the panoptic artist. He came on rapping a song I'm unfamiliar with, but Paak was bouncing and coming hard which had the crowd plugged into his set. Afterwards he started tracks off "Malibu". Paak's raspy and lively voice echoed through the crowd and everyone turned up with him! Now it was time to head over to the green stage to see Raphael Saadiq close out the festival.

To say Saadiq gave a fantastic show is an understatement. All the different generations rocked with Saadiq as he performed his goodies, tracks he's contributed to and his horn section's solo of "Cranes in the Sky". He looks amazing and was rocking a white multi cowprint suit and his rock hard abs. He moved with a youthful rhythm and pulled out his guitar to jam throughout the performance. His lead vocal of the night, singer Erika Jerry, was emulating her good vibes to the crowd. She danced hard on that stage and really sang. Her and Saadiq also played off each other well and brought personality to the show. Raphael Saadiq was just a delight and the band was incredible, which included his nephew who Saadiq joked "smokes more than everybody; I don't know where he gets it from". Chris on the key gave his solo towards the end and it elevated the crowd even more with his strong, soulful tune. Everyone was just spectacular and the show really ended on a strong note.

The performers were wonderful and the folks of AFROPUNK had a great time. This is what the fest is about: the culture. Loving on each other and embodying black joy is a blessing for so many of us alternative weird kids. Thank you AFROPUNK and until next time.

AFROPUNK Brooklyn Fest | Saturday August 26, 2017

After awaiting all summer, the we the people fest came to Brooklyn, blessing the city with art and culture! My favorite weekend event AFROPUNK did not disappoint. People came out, showed out and spread undeniable black joy! Here's a look into how my Day I went and all the beauty on the Commodore Barry Park grounds.

Saturday was all about hitting the stages. Most of the performers I planned to see was today which was bittersweet. While I spent most of the day running from stage to stage to see my favorite artists, sacrifices were made and ultimately I missed a few acts. No fret though; the day was made with all the beauty to revel in.

AFROPUNK being about the culture always manifests once getting to the park grounds, even beforehand truthfully. The ride to Commodore Barry Park was fun; other AFROPUNK guests headed there too. Conversations around who we wanted to see, downloading the app and outfit compliments started instantly. It is great how the fest connects people like that. Once getting to the grounds the line was quick, I received a weekend band and prepared for the aesthetics and grooves I was about to experience.

Upon entering the park The Skins could be heard playing "Go Off", so heading to the gold stage was the first move. Bay Li looked amazing and was giving the crowd life. Kaya Nico wasn't spotted on the stage, which was interesting. My favorite thing about The Skins is their black girl magic type dance choreo that's typically performed by the band sisters. Bay Li instead had two back up dancers with her giving us cheer team feels with their pom poms. The band impressed the crowd, having folks wave, jump and scream in adoration.

Before making my way over to the red stage I took photos of all the black girl magic and black boy joy that blessed the park grounds. Then I made it over to see Leikeli47. She was came with energy and an all boy drum-line. These young folks did not come to play, as they danced and beat with ferocity that kept the crowd zoned in. She also had black girls crumping on the stage and they went off! Everything about Leikeli47 gave me black student life vibes and she is definitely an artist to watch. She also flattered the crowd by telling us she had to snap us; "Y''all just too cute; I cant help it." I'm glad I caught her dope set. I stayed at the red stage for Princess Nokia, another artist who turned up with the audience.

I'll just say it now: hands down Princess Nokia was my favorite for Saturday's sets. She came with great energy and diaspora love."Brujas" started as her school girl dancers came out in formation. Once Princess Nokia got on stage the crowd lost it. She was just having fun and basking in the sea of black and brown people. From her crowd surf to her twerking I was just completely engulfed in her show. Princess Nokia has a great way of being lively while driving home messages that are empowering for us.  I got to see her perform the songs "Tomboy" and "G.O.A.T." which are my favorites. Now remember how I was saying most of my favorites were today? Since this was the case I did  have to leave the performance early to catch Jorja Smith back at the red stage.

Jorja Smith is one of the UK lovelies who blessed the AFROPUNK stage. She wore these sexy olive green bell bottom pants with holes cut out paired with a sheer black top. I got to hear her perform "Imperfect Circles" and "Carry Me Home". Her voice is spectacular and she always shows love to Maverick, who is featured on "Carry Me Home", which he came onto the festival stage to sing. Jorja Smith definitely set a more soothing tone. Afterwards it was time to head for the green stage and see the impeccable Thudercat.

Thundercat is a cool dude. He came on stage in a tee and gym shorts and rocked out with his guitar. He played many tracks from his album I know and love titled "Drunk". He kept flattering us too, with his pleasure to be at the fest and love for his fans. He did a faux ending of the show so many of us headed over to see SZA, but then he started back up with his song "Friend Zone"; so I enjoyed what I could of that song and made it over the masses awaiting the Empress of TDE.

Now if there's one thing most people know about me it's that I absolutely love SZA. This is the only reason I stood in the very back, tippy toeing to she her big gorgeous hair and pink outfit. She was wearing LIV snap-off pants with a pink tube top. She also had on black hi-top chucks and a black jean jacket. My fave came on stage with a cup and just started signing "Supermodel" off her latest project "CTRL". She's just so amazing even when she's ant sized. She kept the "CTRL" tracks rolling and the crowd was singing to every track. She asked us if we knew her before this album and I screamed "Ye!s". Next thing you know "Child's Play" starts. I stayed for a few more "Z" tracks, but started to make my way to see Solange. I was glad I got to see SZA dance and vibe and be the carefree black girl I aspire to everyday.

Since it was already so packed I went into the beer garden near the green stage. Solange would be performing and it was clear: that lot was filled with people shoulder to shoulder. She gave the crowd their whole entire lives. Starting with "Rise" she already had the crowd warped into her always carefully crafted show. The aesthetic for the night was orange and it looked wonderful. She had two women on vocals with her doing her powerful choreography. There were also a few tracks she brought out a crew of black musicians just jamming and playing. Her constant message of black joy and connectivity is transparent through her work and resonated with us that evening. It was cool seeing her day one fans go off for her earlier work; that was a precious moment that allowed day ones to prove their loyalty. The show was coming to a close but I knew she wasn't about to leave out "Don't Touch My Hair". Sampha performed prior; so I awaited his return to the stage and he did exactly that. Sampha and Solange certainly brought people back to when they first watched the infamous music video. Life completed. Solange also gave us words of comfort and love. She poured her heart out; really it bursts, through song and dance. It was definitely the way to close out day one. I was honored to see her and all the marvelous acts before her.