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.

VEVO Dscvr : Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse

@iam.mrqs

Last night was mad real! VEVO put on their Vevo dcsvr show, a new showcase that presents dope upcoming artists. Luckily, my friend and I went to this free, yes free, promotional event. I was able to see Kiah Victoria, Jorja Smith, AJ Tracey and 070 Shake. While I have fair critiques of the event, I had an overall great experience and would go again.

We arrived early enough to be near the front of the line. Upon entering the stage to our right, open bar to our left, and literature straight ahead. We claimed our spots on the left side front stage, then went and got red wine and reclaimed our spots. DJ Austin came with the jams, serving 2000s trap and letting 6th grade Becky flourish! Yesjulz hosted the event; she works with VEVO and also manages A$AP Mob which is pretty cool. Her get up was fire she was working her body which is amazing! She knew like all the words to all the songs, was dancing in the crowd, and really trying to show love to everyone; she did an excellent job.

I only came expecting to be taken away by 070 and 070 Shake, but to my delight the first act gained herself a new fan! Let me tell you about Kiah Victoria! She's a gorgeous young woman with amazing heartbreak songs and the pipes to make her words resonate. Her outfit fit her warm and loving personality, especially her plaid platform pants; like come through 70s vibes! Kiah Victoria's performance was the first I've witnessed where the performer had one of those voice synchronizing machine boards (clearly I have no idea what they're called; tell me below?). It was really cool seeing her go back and forth with the morphed sound and raw vocals. And let's not forget to mention hair goals with a her luscious bodied curls!

Kiah Victoria

Jorja Smith came on after next and did not disappoint. She has gorgeous vocals and so much 90s swag I just wanted to buy a crushed velvet sweat suit all over again. We even had a moment because I kept smiling in awe at her and she smiled back giving me a nod. I felt like that was her thank you for your energy. Whatever it was it made me feel good. It was her first show in the US and what an honor to be a part of that process. She even had a featured artist come on stage for her song and they were like English angels in my ears. Unfortunately, on her last song of the night the sound starting messing up. I'm not entirely sure what went haywire, but I could start to hear everything get off beat. Things were bad enough for Jorja Smith to put the mic up and rush off the stage. I felt bad she had to experience that after being so amazing to the crowd.

 

Vevo dscvr's sound was a constant situation throughout the night. Kiah Victoria made sure to get that all figured out before she started her set, as she kept asking us "do I need to be turned up?" She really shouldn't have had to but regardless major props to her. Then the sound on stage starts messing up and you have an artists who is so bothered she left the stage in a fury. And for the next act no one in the crowd even hears him. Why are three our the four artist having sound issues? This was unacceptable and I hope Vevo dscvr is much more preventative in the future.

AJ Tracey was third in the lineup and had the worst experience with their sound if you ask me. He went through an entire song sounding muffled to the crowd. While I do give him props for continuing the song, I don't give him props as a performing artist. Everything about him was off-lackluster rather. He wore this over the top Slayer sweat suit that didn't fit his persona, or lack of one, at all. He had these box braids or twists happening that didn't suit him and he kept saying "you get me". He lacked stage presence even before his sound was messing up. The crowd was so dead when he was on; everyone was on their phones or looking like "is this for real?" It was just upsetting seeing a performer half ass when there's so many fresh artist who will give the crowd a show; they'll put their all into that slot knowing every instance counts. I don't believe his music career will flourish if that's how he functions. It almost seems like he doesn't take music seriously. He even announced one of his songs adding "this is the track that sort of got me [famous]". However, Yesjulz said his parents both worked in music; so maybe he has plugs and is taking advantage of it. Quite a shame really.

 

After AJ Tracey's dreadful set was finally over, I was beyond ready for 070 to come out. I was now remembering how sore and tired I was from the day. I was also trying not to hit the guy behind me who kept bumping into me. I must admit I was not the best person to be around at that point and tried to enjoy DJ Austin's last set. As much as I love music events, I am beginning to realize I have a problem with those spaces because I don't have complete agency over my body/personal space. A guy kept rubbing up against me. I kept snagging a girls hair and hitting her butt. I stepping on shoes. People stepped on mine. All these things are accidental but they do happen in these settings and can become triggering. I had to fight for my space in a space-less setting, which was sort of surreal; but I've decided it's something I need.

And alas! 070 Shake is on stage, starting with the ever so aesthetically pleasing Ralphy River. When I tell you he is everything, I'm telling you he is queer, masculine and The Feminine Divine and beyond! While he is clearly my favorite the whole crew was care free and just dope. 070 is a rock star and introvert. She would dap the fans but rarely look at us. It seemed when she was becoming more vulnerable she'd put her shades on. she wore a metallic jacket and pants that was so Michael Jackson and it was glorious. "I just want to have fun with you all tonight" was what she told us after they performed Precious Pressure, and her following acts would prove she meant it. I must say the biggest moment for me was when they performed Honey. Though when she sang " I don't want to exist; I want to live", I could here her experiences of being othered release from her. Her mic flips were dope and she was just giving it to us. Major props to their guitarist and drummer too.

070 Shake was literally just having fun. There were also members in the crowd who ended up hitting the stage which surprised us regulars. Apparently I was rude to one who tried to stand in front of me but we won't talk much about that!

070 Shake with hidden members in the audience

All in all Vevo dscvr was an amazing show. I know this was their first show with this setup, so they had kinks to work out, but I still was pretty bumped about the sound and AJ Tracey. But would I go again? Absolutely. The objection behind this project is commendable and I am very excited to see where they take this.