Afropunk Brooklyn -Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu Shine

Photo Pit Entrance at Afropunk / photo by Kyra Kverno

Fashion Vibe / photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Afropunk‘s 2018 Brooklyn edition was another milestone in what has become a global celebration of music, art and culture. Afropunk Festivals now take place not only in its Brooklyn birthplace, but also in Atlanta, London, Paris and Johannesburg. This year’s was once again at Commodore Barry Park under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and was sold out. The stages and crowds have gotten bigger and the festival is no longer free, but it’s filled with the most amazing combination of high energy and a positive, laid-back vibe.

Afropunk is a festival that has a social conscience, which they demonstrate by giving out scores of free tickets to people who volunteer for community service, which is one of the ways they give back and support local communities. The security crew is often found handing out bottles of water to hard-core fans waiting for their favorite bands at the five stages (Green, Red, Black, Gold, Pink) in the hot August sun. The Art and Times area at the Festival had displays of original murals and cutting-edge works of art, while Activism Row

Janelle Monae / photo by Kyra Kverno

and The Spinthrift Market provided opportunities for individuals and not-for-profit organizations to share their world and local views.

The Festival’s most anticipated acts were Miguel, Erykah Badu, H.E.R, Pusha T, Tyler The Creator and Janelle Monae. Troi Irons and Duckwrth, among others, proved to

be crowd pleasers  as well. The “big” acts performed on the Green stage, where people waited most of the day for their favorites, with some with extra delays, but the fans did not seem to mind. They were overjoye

Fantastic Negrito / photo by Kyra Kverno

d when Janelle Monae hit the stage, playing songs from her new album, Dirty Computer. The two-day festival closed with Erykah Badu, and, joining her, both on stage and in the crowd, was Monae, who sang “Bag Lady” from Erykah Badu’s 2000 album, Mama’s Gun. The crowd went wild!

If you have any preconceived notions about anyone or any style of music, you should leave that nonsense at home and get educated- Afropunk is a festival not to be missed.