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.

Lauryn Hill Presents Diaspora Calling at Kings Theatre

On April 15th, there was a new event in Flatbush, Brooklyn that was extremely relevant to the city and the times. With strong Caribbean ties in Flatbush and the progression with the Dominican Republic's deportation crisis, Lauryn Hill had great timing with headlining the first ever Diaspora Calling!

Ms.Hill launched an amazing music and art expo in partnership with MoCADA, The Haitian Cultural Exchange and Nader Haitian Art at the historical King's Theatre. Her concert was Friday evening and of course sold out. Unfortunately, I could not attend but I was definitely at the exhibit prior to her show. Kings Theatre had the art displayed and open to the public in the afternoon, so I was fortunate to tour around.

Phenomenal. Thought-provoking. Vivacious. Deep. These are a few of the words that came to mind when looking at all the pieces displayed. And honestly there's no words string enough to explain the emotion that those pieces brought. All the artist were a part of the African diaspora, but most of the works were created by Haitian and Haitian descent artists, which was not a coincidence.

Concentrating on Haitian diaspora works was extremely appropriate, considering the intent of this inaugural event was to "celebrate the rich tapestry of artists from the African Diaspora while also illumining persistent and irrepressible themes..." as Lauryn stated. Although she did not straight forwardly present the statelessness of many Haitian descent Dominicans, it is evident this issue is on her heart. The majority of the works were those of Haitian artists; there is a political statement just in that lineup. A statement was made.

While I would desire and encourage her to speak more directly about that subject, I of course applaud and commend her efforts within and outside this event. Lauryn Hill provided a platform and room for conversation that hopefully, sooner rather than later, leads to action.

                                     "Unidentified Fist"


This event was a blessing for me. Seeing the various Haitian artists presenting past, present and future Haiti really conjured up a great sense of heritage for me. It was a remedy for my soul, knowing so many Haitians are crating these detailed, bright, vivid and gorgeous works, all for the sake of nationalism.

                                                           "Market Scene"

                                                            "Untitled 1938"

As I work with Haitian Community Land Trust, a non-profit aiming to empower Haitians through self sufficiency, I needed to know others have that same belief. I needed to see Haitians love and embrace who we are and are invest in The Pearl of the Caribbean. We are currently looking to fundraise to purchase land in Haiti that would house and provide jobs for seven families. This is just the beginning of our mission in partner with OAKSPA, and bi-national organization working with the refugees from the Dominican Republic. If you're interested in learning more, getting involved or donating, please visit our site www.haitianclt.wordpress.com .

With being a part of the Haitian diaspora and working to fight for the liberation of my people, it is so refreshing to see an event like this. Empowerment is pivotal in the change we want to see; so celebrating who we are and how far we've gone is important. Looking at the things we struggle with is important. And working together relentlessly to free ourselves of those struggles is imperative. We can get there and Diaspora Calling reminded me of that.

                                          (Etienne Chavannes)

I'm forever grateful for having that experience.