there’s 2nikkas doing Portugal right
Portugal in July
Vegas in September
I might go to the Vegas one instead
Afronation: The next wave in music festivals
- Thread starter GrindtooFilthy
- Start date
Portugal in July
Vegas in September
I might go to the Vegas one instead
StretfordRed
Afro-European
It’s looking live this year 
Couldn’t go because the Mrs is pregnant and due soon. But would have been the motive this summer.
Couldn’t go because the Mrs is pregnant and due soon. But would have been the motive this summer.
International Playa
Playa with a Passport
It's a blessing you didn't go, too many females out thereIt’s looking live this year
Couldn’t go because the Mrs is pregnant and due soon. But would have been the motive this summer.
Nah it’s crazy out there, some fukkery is on foot definitely
NoirDynosaur
Yurrrrrrrrrr
Afronation is a cultural phenomenon. It’s gonna blossom and transcend past Coachella and Afropunk
No, it aint. Way too disorganized and scammy. I went in March with a bunch of people, we all paid for VIP. Too many big acts canceled. Parties Canceled. No water stations. No really benefit for paying for VIP. It was a rip in my opinion.
Here’s Everything That Went Down at Afro Nation Miami
Afro Nation, the world’s biggest Afrobeats music festival, landed in the United States over Memorial Day Weekend.
ZEE NGEMA
1 MONTH AGO
Afro Nation, the world’s leading Afrobeats celebration, has reached a delectable spot in its maturation since the festival first hit the scene in 2019. Creators Obi Asika and Smade have taken their creation to Portugal, Puerto Rico, Ghana, and Mexico. Over memorial day weekend, they finally took Afro Nation to the United States, testing the waters of Miami Beach, with a lineup that featured Burna Boy, Wizkid, Uncle Waffles, and more.
Here is what went down at the inaugural Afro Nation Miami.
Uncle Waffles at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Melody Timothee for Afro Nation.
SATURDAY SERENADES AND SALTY OXTAIL
Reggaeton and Norteño serenaded Afro Nation attendees as we descended on the retractable, spaceship-like loanDepot park. The South Florida location, where the Miami Marlins typically play, feels like the perfect cultural hub for the diaspora to feel comfortable enough to party. However, while the size was adequate to fit all the cousins, having the majority of the attendees sitting so far away from the stage and VIP area made for an awkward, and almost cold, gap.
The festival organizers offered a limited selection of African, Caribbean, and Mexican foods. Most festival-goers anticipate a lengthy experience trying to get food, but the reality of having so few choices was kinda crazy. Thankfully, the arena’s own food court was open for business and guests had the option to fill up on traditional American classics. We were there for the culture, though, so one salty, over-priced oxtail sandwich later, and we were ready to hear some music.
Nigerian singer Nissi— the younger sister of Burna Boy—put on a show that emphasized her determination to stand out for her talent, rather than familial ties. The singer commanded the stage as she opened the floodgates to the roster of incredible talent set to follow her and get the party started. Suave Cape Verdean-Dutch singer Nelson Freitas had the folks grooving in harmony, while Ghana’s Black Sherif packed a powerful punch and performance for his electrified fans to write home about. Africa’s Boyfriend, Nigerian singer Ckay, had the ladies swooning, and the fellas booming as his slick vocals bounced along the stadium.
Over on the Piano People stage, South Africans Musa Keys, Focalistic, and a neon green-haired Uncle Waffles reigned supreme and had their audience in a fit, screaming “Haaibo” and other South African slang terms that were a trip to hear in the middle of Downtown Miami. As a South African, I still get tickled when I realize how far African creativity has come in the last few years. The sheer talent and determination to flourish on a global scale having made my people and my culture the norm is still settling in.
Asake at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Kenneth Dapaah for Afro Nation.
The in-between moments were even fun as an abundance of Amapiano tunes and hype men Young Prince and DJ Kapo kept us satiated and distracted from the fact that we had been on our feet for going on four hours while the latter tried to make British rugby chants a thing. Nigerian hitmaker Asake hit the stage in socks and the power of having all ten toes on the ground was tangible because he killed his performance. The singer made his way into the crowd, dodging ravenous grips to party with his beloved fans. It was cool, until it wasn’t, and his trusty security was there to scoop him out in time to effortlessly go into his hit “Ototo”.
Headliner , and long-time friend of Afro Nation, Burna Boy had the crowd in the palm of his hand within the first few notes of his hit “Science.” He’s a fantastic performer, loves the stage, and creates music that people want to dance and sing along to — we pray neither party tries to fix what is working divinely. Burna delivered another potent rendition of his universally adored track “Last Last,” as those clever enough to sneak out earlier skipped the rush to find their Ubers in time to rest up for another day of merriment.
Gaykie at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Chris Allmeid for Afro Nation.
DAYTIME DANCEHALL AND WIZKID CAP-OFF SUNDAY
The day started off calmer as we all better understood what to do and where to be. The main stage crowd grew slowly over the day, however, Ghanaian singer Gyakie’s performance communicated that she was gonna slay no matter what. African time was in full effect on both days, but the second saw artists BNXN and Sech bring order to the party as they took turns performing for the crowd.
The Piano People stage gifted us an ethereal and intimate experience as DJ’s Kelvin Momo and DBN Gogo played hypnotic beats against the backdrop of a sun-drenched, palm tree-filled Miami skyline. I got caught up in an Amapiano trance and realized I could have stood there dancing for three more hours and would’ve been completely satisfied.
Back on the main stage, Jamaican dancehall singer Shenseea effortlessly replaced Beenie Man, and the Jamaicans in the house were happy to be included, having a good time nonetheless. Nigerian performer Fireboy DML felt right at home with Miami’s sex appeal and gave a raunchy performance, bringing on a beautiful Jamaican fan to demonstrate just how serious his lyrics are. His global hit “Peru” had the crowd phones out, singing along on their Instagram stories to show their friends that they too, “Just flew into Miami.” Bostonian act DJ Prince made sure to represent all regions of the continent and diaspora, using nostalgia and national pride to keep people in the moment and keen to stay around for what’s next. A body of classics from Brenda Fassie’s “Umqombothi” to “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers reemphasized the belief that we all did in fact have the same childhood.
Rema at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Melody Timothee for Afro Nation.
Global star Rema employed someone to dance around in a bear costume in 29° weather, and, honestly, we love a man committed to the storyline. “As long as I’m on this stage it’s no longer Afro Nation–this is a Rema Party,” he declared to the audience who agreed wholeheartedly. The “Calm Down” singer gave an enormously energetic performance, a testament to the stamina he’s built by performing his music around the world. The singer, like many of his fellow performers, arrived in enough layers to make one think he didn’t get the Miami memo. But, by the end of the show, his adoring fans were gifted a full frontal of his glistening pectorals and a mental image to last them a lifetime. South African DJ duo – and identical twins – Major League DJz brought a showstopping set that included a gratifying appearance by fellow South African singer and composer Msaki as the crowd bid farewell to the indescribable experience at this year’s ‘Piano People’ stage. The grounds reeked of alcohol and we knew the people were ready for Big Wiz.
International superstar Wizkid sauntered his way down a set of stairs as he set started the party on a high note with the hit “Bad To Me.” The singer’s set hit every mark, allowing fans to enjoy his first and latest records in abundance. The singer’s sparkly, but casual getup gave him plenty of room to gyrate and seduce the crowd with his combination of tantalizing vocals and stage presence. Wizkid has also been a part of every iteration of Afro Nation so far, and his music continues to stimulate global interest in all things Africa.
Bodies moved and grooved for hours on end and the hoard of good-looking attendees showed respect and admiration for each other and their space. The inviting weather paired with the intoxicating nature of Amapiano, Afrobeats, and Dancehall made Afro Nation’s Miami affair a dreamy Memorial Day Weekend for those in attendance.
Wizkid at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Kenneth Dapaah for Afro Nation.
From Amapiano tunes to Burna Boy: Here’s Everything That Went Down at Afro Nation Miami
BEDROCK AND AFRO NATION, THE WORLD’S LARGEST AFROBEATS FESTIVAL, TO LAUNCH AFRO NATION DETROIT IN SUMMER 2023
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The internationally recognized festival celebrating Afrobeats, Black music and culture, has successfully executed festivals in Portugal, Ghana and Puerto Rico, and is preparing for its first festival in Miami this spring.
Bedrock today announced its collaboration with acclaimed global festival brand, Afro Nation, to launch Afro Nation Detroit. The Detroit festival, set for August 19 to August 20, 2023, at Bedrock’s Douglass site, will become Afro Nation’s flagship festival in the U.S., featuring the biggest names in Afrobeats and superstars in Hip Hop, R&B, Amapiano, Dancehall and Reggae.
Expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees each day from around the globe, the flagship U.S. festival will feature additional activations and events to honor Detroit’s musical contributions to the world and highlight its connection to present day American, African and global Black culture and music.
“When considering which U.S. cities would be right for our Afro Nation festival, Detroit was a clear choice. The musical legacy, culture, people and community of Detroit connects to why we started Afro Nation: to celebrate Black music and culture. Our diverse global audience will undoubtedly enjoy the unique Detroit show and appreciate the immense influence of Detroit on the evolution of music,” said Natasha Manley, CEO of Event Horizon.
More than just a festival, Afro Nation Detroit is poised to generate substantial revenue opportunities for many local Detroit businesses, while also providing opportunities to up-and-coming Detroit musical artists, DJs and creatives. Afro Nation’s flagship Europe festival in Portugal, attracts more than 45,000 people each day from over 130 countries, with each guest staying an average of five nights; resulting in an estimated $125 million in direct consumer spending.
“The decision to bring Afro Nation’s world class festival to Detroit was easy. The rich diversity and arts culture in Detroit is self-evident, and the city’s music continues to move the world. We look forward to welcoming a global audience downtown to experience the hospitality, arts and culture of our city. Detroit is Afro Nation,” said Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock.
The festival lineup, ticket options and pricing, and detailed event information is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
“From Motown to Techno, Detroit’s musical legacy is undeniable. Serving as the host city for events like Afro Nation is not only part of our DNA, it is an extraordinary opportunity to spotlight our city’s rich culture, talent and character on a global stage. Bedrock and Event Horizon’s commitment to make this event possible is commendable, and I look forward to the launch of Detroit’s newest festival series,” said Hiram E. Jackson, Publisher of the Michigan Chronicle and CEO, Real Times Media.
Additional information on the Afro Nation Detroit festival may be found at Detroit.afronation.com and on social media by following:
- Twitter: @afronation
- Facebook: @afronationfestival
- Instagram: @afronation.us
Bedrock is a full-service real estate firm specializing in innovative city-building strategies, reaching far beyond the boundaries of bricks and mortar. Since its founding in 2011, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $5.6 billion to acquiring and developing more than 100 properties in Detroit and Cleveland, including landmark developments such as the Hudson’s Site, the Book Tower restoration, City Modern and the May Company Building.
Bedrock’s portfolio totals more than 19 million square feet of office, retail and residential space within new construction and adaptive reuse projects.
For more information on Bedrock’s projects, visit bedrockdetroit.com or engage with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Afro Nation
Launched in 2019 with critical acclaim, Afro Nation is the biggest Afrobeats celebration in the world and a fast growing global cultural influence. The festival was founded by Nigerian creative industry entrepreneurs Obi Asika, and Smade, in association with BBC 1 Xtra. The events unite the diaspora and deliver something culturally important to a hugely underserved audience. In 2022, 40,000 music lovers attended Afro Nation Portugal to see the biggest names in Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Dancehall at one of the most beautiful beach locations on the planet – past artists include Burna Boy, Davido, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz and many more. After finishing 2022 with Afro Nation Ghana (Dec. 29-30), Afro Nation is expanding even further in 2023, with Miami 2023, its first-ever festival on the continental U.S.
BEDROCK AND AFRO NATION, THE WORLD’S LARGEST AFROBEATS FESTIVAL, TO LAUNCH AFRO NATION DETROIT IN SUMMER 2023
AFRO NATION FEST TO DEBUT IN NIGERIA
The world's biggest Afrobeats festival, which has upcoming editions in Portugal and the US, will expand to Lagos later this year
By James Hanley on 09 Jun 2023
Afro Nation Portugal
Afrobeats festival Afro Nation has announced it is debuting in Lagos, Nigeria, later this year.
The festival returned to Ghana last year for the first time since 2019 and has confirmed an additional African edition will take place in Nigeria in 2023, with the date and venue still to be revealed.
The news was announced today via the festival’s official social media channels, with the message, “We’re coming to Nigeria.”
“Nigeria is the home to so many international superstars who have made Afrobeats a globally loved genre,” says co-founder SMADE. “As someone who grew up in Lagos, and then spent years promoting African music in London and beyond, this will truly be a full circle moment, bringing the Afro Nation show back home to Lagos. We can’t wait for the biggest celebration of African music the world has ever seen!”
Launched in 2019, Afro Nation festivals have taken place in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. The brand, which also showcases hip-hop, R&B, amapiano, dancehall and reggae, debuted in North America last year with Afro Nation Puerto Rico. A Mexican edition had also been planned for September 2020, before the pandemic intervened.
Afro Nation expanded to the US last month with an event at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, presented by Event Horizon, SMADE and Live Nation. Its 2023 Portugal event is scheduled for Portimão from 28-30 June, headlined by Burna Boy, 50 Cent and Booba, before launching in Detroit from 19-20 August.
“A lot goes into selecting locations for an Afro Nation festival, the beauty of the site, event infrastructure, travel logistics and accommodation for guests,” co-founder Obi Asika told IQ earlier this year. “But most importantly, everywhere you’ll find an Afro Nation event will be bringing joy to sites of cultural significance around the world.”
The brand also launched a training programme for local crew ahead of its return to Ghana last year.
AFRO NATION FEST TO DEBUT IN NIGERIA
