AFROPUNK, in partnership with BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, brought the effervescent, vibrant and eclectic energy of the Black diaspora for AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA BKLYN. It was an unforgettable weekend at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park, Brooklyn New York.
AFROPUNK continued to celebrate Black freedom of expression, community and rebellion as fans gathered for another weekend of performances, music, and culture in the park. The major highlight was Erykah Badu making her return to the AFROPUNK stage. Badu, who last played Afropunk in 2018 (alongside Tyler The Creator, Pusha T, Trash Talk, Denzel Curry and Jamila Woods) closed out both nights of this year’s festival.
The weekend was enchanted with her highly anticipated Ba-Deux set. Once again, Badu captivated the audience with her timeless sound and expressive energy, providing the perfect finale to the two-day celebration. Surprising fans, Badu welcomed Durand Bernarr back to the stage who provided backup vocals to her iconic songs.
Her set was spiritually cleansing and a sonic escapade. How could it now be? She had Thundercat playing in her band, and he even performed his song “Them Changes”. There was also the surprise appearance of Rapsody, where they shared the stage for their song “3:AM.”
In her introduction to the song “My People,” Badu stated, “AFROPUNK started as a result of a documentary called Afropunk about the black punk kids in New York, all around the world, who needed a place to be funky, and punky, get crunky, skunky. In the last few years Afropunk hasn’t been quite the same. Who you see performing on these stages are the children of the funk and the children of the Afropunk, so it can’t be the same.
It gotta have some more elements in it right. But I’m here to tell you tonight, that we, all of us up on stage as a collective are children of the punk, because punk simply means rebellion, it simply means I’m not having it, it means I don’t need a red light or a green light, I know when to go and stop. I know when to drop it. I know when to pick it up. That’s what punk is.
The intelligence of the creative, to collectively create, and that’s what we’re doing. All of you out there are children of the punk too, I need y’all to hold on one more day for me. Those of y’all that don’t feel like holding on one more day for me, hold on one more, just one more. One day at a time. Children of the punk and children of the funk, just hold on!”
Erykah is a master of her craft. She knows when to give neo-soul, when to give funk, when to give punk, when to give hip hop. Her artistry is truly something that is cathartic and rich, and it is a blessing to witness her. Central to her ideas and creativity was creative rebellion and that was evident on the stage.
She even had audience members holding up flags that read “The drum will outlast the gun.” In between songs, she referenced the flags as she hit a couple snares and hi-hats on her beats pad and emphasized that irrespective of our religion, our love for music and our love for the drum will be the rebellion against guns, and that is the essence of punk. Her performance was a fitting end to a weekend that celebrated artistry, community, and the diversity of Black culture.
The day kicked off with an energetic welcome from host Gitto, who set the tone for the rest of the day, getting the crowd excited for the performances and experiences to come. Adding to the fun, NYC icon and fan-favorite DJ Moma took to the stage, complementing the diverse musical offerings throughout the day.
In a nod to AFROPUNK’s origins, six punk bands took center stage, thrilling fans who eagerly anticipated their performances. These bands, typically found on side stages, were given the spotlight as part of AFROPUNK’s commitment to returning to its roots.
The lineup featured explosive sets from Phunky Nomads, Winter Wolf, Rebelmatic, Breezy Supreme, Jenny Hates Techno, and Hue. The energy was undeniable, as these underground artists brought their punk spirit to the stage, delivering raw and powerful performances that had the crowd on their feet.
SOKO MRKT made a significant presence with a lineup of vendors showcasing a variety of small businesses, including Afrodisiac Worldwide, Black N’ Ugly, Siatta Jeans, Eloexa Handcrafted Jewelry & Wearable Art, Brooklyn Made., Blerd, BklynBarSoap, Aziz Fashions, Eeny Eyewear, and Fried Rice.
This marketplace offered attendees a chance to shop and support indie brands, providing vital opportunities for revenue generation and exposure. The inclusion of these businesses during Black Business Month seamlessly aligned with AFROPUNK’s mission to uplift and empower Black-owned enterprises, creating an impactful space for artisans to connect with hundreds of consumers.
The day also featured a show-stopping performance from Durand Bernarr, who made a triumphant return to the AFROPUNK main stage. Bernarr’s electrifying set brought the house down, blending soulful vocals with unmatched stage presence, leaving the audience energized and in awe.
Special guests joined in on the festivities, helping bring the celebratory weekend to a close including Tierra Whack, 2-time Grammy Award winning artist Thundercat, voice of Miles Morales/Spider Man Shameik Moore, and Nick Arrington from Bravo’s Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard.
As the final notes echoed through Prospect Park, AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA BKLYN left an indelible mark on all who attended, reminding everyone of the power of music, expression, and unity.
Stay tuned for more information from AFROPUNK on its 20 year anniversary celebration, kicking off this fall by keeping up on AFROPUNK.com. You can also keep tabs on Ms. Badu on Instagram here.
Words by Shirley Reynozo // Photography by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for AFROPUNK
