Hey, everyone! Welcome back to Culture Canvas.
With summer in full swing, the next two months will be full of outdoor concerts, movie nights and festivals. One event coming up is Afro Nation, which celebrates Afrobeat artists and African culture. The festival, which has been held in Portugal and Miami, came to Detroit last summer and is returning Aug. 17 and 18 at Bedrock’s Douglass site.
I interviewed Josh Koram, who handles artist bookings for Afro Nation, about the creation of the festival and what to expect this year.
BridgeDetroit: How was Afro Nation created?
Koram: Afro Nation was created in 2019. We saw that there was a void in the market where superstars from Africa weren’t really given a platform, so we took it in our hands to give these artists a platform on a global stage. We put on the first show in Portugal and we had over 20,000 people from the diaspora come to experience these Afrobeats acts on the stage.
BridgeDetroit: Why were you interested in bringing Afro Nation to Detroit?
Koram: Detroit is a place with so much heritage. Look at some of the key sounds that have come out of the city–R&B, techno, gospel. Afro Nation is all about connecting the diaspora. With us being the biggest Afrobeats festival in the world, why not bring that culture and that experience to Detroit?
BridgeDetroit: How did you put together this year’s lineup, including securing headliners Lil Wayne, Asake and Rema?
Koram: Asake and Rema were already booked for our Portugal show. Being a big hop-hop fan, it was important to add that element in there, so that was where the conversation to have Lil Wayne came about.
BridgeDetroit: Is there anything new coming to the festival this year?
Koram: We’re trying to include more local DJs and talent. And we got a lot of Carribean acts on there (the lineup). We got (Jamaican artist) Shenseea in the show and we got PartyNextDoor from Canada, which is adding a different element of music and continuing to push Black music as a whole. It’s not just specific to Afrobeats. And then we’ll have the Piano People Stage, which focuses on Amapiano, a mix of house and electronic music and African rhythms. That’s something that’s very popular right now.
BridgeDetroit: How do you feel about Afrobeats becoming more popular in America in the last few years with artists like Rema, Wizkid and Burna Boy?
Koram: It’s so special to see Afrobeats becoming part of modern pop culture. You have R&B acts, you have hip-hop acts who are tapping in the African sound. I’s crazy when you think of Wizkid, Tems and Justin Bieber on a song together to have “Essence.” These are things five years ago you wouldn’t think of.
Have a great week!
Cheers,
Micah
313 Scene
- The city kicked off a series of Juneteenth festivities with a Friday flag raising and events at Spirit Plaza. There are also some other events around Detroit celebrating the holiday, including Freedom Day at Capitol Park Wednesday. Held from 12-8 p.m., the free event will have African dance and drum performances, music, poetry readings and a Detroit Hustle session.
- Hazel Park resident Bryan Herrin, who goes by the moniker BVIS was arrested last week for spray painting the face of Beavis — a character from ‘90s MTV cartoon “Beavis and Butt-head” — on surfaces all over metro Detroit. He now faces six counts of malicious destruction of property.
- Otis C. Williams Street was unveiled Saturday in a festive ceremony saluting the 82-year-old Temptations founder. The street sign is located on Wisconsin Street at Santa Clara on the city’s northwest side.
- Detroit native and four-time Tony Award-winning producer Ron Simons died Thursday at age 63. Over the years, he appeared in shows such as “Succession,” “Daredevil,” “Marvel’s The Defenders” and various “Law & Order” series. His film work included “27 Dresses,” “Blue Caprice” and “After the Wedding.”
What’s Going on in the D?
- New Center Park is bringing back its free Friday Night Film Series this summer. The program kicks off Friday with the queer classic, “But I’m a Cheerleader.” Gates open at 7 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk.
- Mighty Real/Queer Detroit, a nonprofit organization that provides a platform for queer artists, hosting the exhibit, “I’ll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer” until June 30. The show features more than 170 LGBTQ+ artists from the world across 11 Detroit galleries. Some of the participating places include The Carr Center, Irwin House Gallery and the Scarab Club.
- Coffee shop The Congregation is hosting “Juneteenth Jamz: A Black Queer Variety Festival” 6-9 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature performances from Detroit artists and artists across the Midwest. Tickets begin at $20.
