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Afro and punk? No, the two words are not so contradictory. The proof is with the highly popular Afropunk festival, created after a film exploring the connections of these two terms.
In 2003, director James Spooner shot the documentary "Afro-punk". He gives the floor to actors of the African-American punk scene. He wants to show that this is not a musical genre reserved for the white population. Especially when he realizes that rock'n roll and its derivatives are rooted in black culture.
The documentary is an important success and will be at the origin of the first gathering Afropunk at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2005, organized by James Spooner and Englishman Matthew Morgan. In 2008, James Spooner leaves the festival organization, replaced by Jocelyn Cooper
Matthew Morgan points out:
"Afropunk is not the black version of punk, we can be punk in a thousand different ways." And indeed, the festival opens little by little to other unifying and varied musical genres: rap, r & b, reggae, electro, voguing … Always carried by black artists.
Afropunk slogan
© Alexandre Fumeron
A festival open to all, without distinction
The The festival is gaining its nobility: now the New York edition brings together more than 90,000 spectators, prestigious guests make the show (Kelis, Lauryn Hill, Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Eve, Lolawolf …) and the festival It expands to Atlanta and Paris in 2015, and also has an annual edition in London and Johannesburg.
Afropunk festivalgoers Brooklyn, August 2017
© STEPHANIE KEITH / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
The gathering becomes a showcase for Afro-descendant culture but is open to absolutely everybody. The proof with its leitmotif that rejects sexism, racism, homophobia, discrimination in relation to age or the physical, grossophobia etc
In addition to its qualitative and therefore unifying musical programming, Afropunk wants to be a place of mutual aid, exchanges and debates. At each festival, additional meetings are organized. There are markets with all kinds of products, and the highlight of the show, festival-goers showcase their sense of style, wearing very sharp outfits.
AFROPUNK SEEN BY ITS CO-ORGANIZER JOCELYN COOPER
Afropunk Paris seen by her co-organizer Jocelyn CooperSince 2017, the Paris edition of the festival is held more at Trianon but at La Villette and is already sold-out. The American producer and organizer (she notably discovered Angelo) explains the reasons for this success in France
What is the specificity of Afropunk Paris?
I have a particular affection for the Paris edition of the festival. Here, the Afro-descendent community is very varied (it includes many origins) and very open to the outside. She is strong and unique. Maybe this feeling of belonging is more necessary than elsewhere? This is where I met the most beautiful people – in every sense of the word. Paris is so chic. Europeans coming to the festival seem to be doing it for deeper reasons than just wanting to have a good time.
Two participants of Afropunk Paris 2017.
© Lamine Diallo
Did you expect such success?
In any case I have always hoped! But we are only at the beginning of this movement, I think we will still grow. Afropunk is a benevolent space dedicated to freedom of expression, 360 ° of "blackness" (note: black culture). We are developing the "Activism Row", which is an interactive non-profit educational facility. We work on the problems of the community with very dynamic associations. The interactions are rich. We are each year a little more robust.
A prestigious and 100% Afro-descendant programming: SZA, Damian Marley, Maxwell, Nneka …
Anglophone and Francophone artists, some regulars of the festival, will be present to make vibrate the crowd. We will note Saturday evening the presence of many female artists (to satisfy an audience that is apparently 65% female?) Including that of the American R & B singer SZA for its very first date French. By his side ? The rockers Noface, the Parisian djette Anaïs B, the soul singer Nneka, the pro of Afrobeat Mr Eazi. The indie style will also be well represented with Estère and Ecca Vandal
The rapper Mahalia, Cheetah or Queen Ci will complete the poster. Guests of choice for an ever wider audience, as we summarize the poetic Sandra Nkaké who will also be on stage this Saturday: "There will certainly be many Afro-descendants but not only, and it's great that new The public is mixed, it is neither community nor closed, we highlight the people we see less elsewhere, who are outside the classical channels, all the diversity is valued. it's the opportunity to introduce some kind of dissidence in a festive and cheerful way! "
Yasiin Bey at the 2017 edition of Afropunk Paris
© Lamine Diallo
As for Sunday evening, it is also announced roots with the two headliners Damian Marley and Gary Clark Jr! Manaré, Pllow and Mo Laudi will complement their batch of beats as elegant as they are haunting. A perfect marriage with Maxwell's groove, Trombone Shorty's ambiancers or the sexy Goldkink!
Davido will be there for a dose of booty-shake when the South African sensation Nakhane delivers his indie soul accompanied by his beautiful voice! Last but not least, the very experienced Rokia Bamba will finish setting the fire!
In Afropunk, the look is an integral part of the show Paris 2017
© Jean-Michel Tébah-Kiah
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