AFROPUNK Festival is back and heats up Brooklyn.
On a hot, steamy, August Saturday, AFROPUNK kicked off its 2016 edition in Downtown Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park.
AFROPUNK was founded in 2002 giving voice to thousands of multicultural kids considered outsiders in their communities. Today, the notion ofAFROPUNK has evolved and comprises a particular force within greater youth culture. Afropunkers are creative, expressive people who speak through their music, art, film, sports, fashion, photography and more
The fields of Commodore Barry Park were filled with youth of all races and backgrounds, all in harmony and joy moving to the rhythms provided by extremely diverse lineup prepared for the annual edition of the festival.
Divided between three stages, the performances ranged from alternative rock, funk, soul, R&B and hip hop.
On the main stage the beats were provided by Underdog and DJ Lindsey. The tempo picked up with the beginning of the extremely energetic set from Detroit-based rock band The VeeVees. CeeLo Green hit the stage with some of his biggest hits, “Bright Lights Bigger City,” “Fuck You,” “Don’t Cha,” and the unforgettable “Crazy.” He perfectly teased the crowd with vignettes from Outcast and Michael Jackson as he smoothly transitioned between songs.
Two highlights of the mostly electronic Gold Stage included Thundercats and headliner Flying Lotus. Thundercats provided soulful and funky beats while the crowd appreciated his bass rendition of “Complexion” and “Them Changes” from Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly. Flying Lotus wrapped up Day One of AFROPUNK with hypnotizing mix of hip hop, jazz and electronic.
The 25-year-old Los Angeles native, Tyler, the Creator gathered an impressive crowd mesmerized by him starting his set with “What the F**k Right Now” – a remix of Kanye West’s “Freestyle 4.” During an hour long set he ran through works from his albums Wolf, Goblin and Cherry Bomb.
