37 Images of Incredible Style, Music and Cultural Consciousness from AFROPUNK

Article by: Ben Kaye|@Idonttwit

Mon August 28, 2017 | 17:30 PM


The ethos of AFROPUNK has always been one of inclusion and diversity, and the 2017 edition of the event's Brooklyn incarnation proudly put that on display. Over two days of gorgeous weather, a crowd of equally gorgeous humans gathered together in Commodore Barry Park to celebrate culture with a variety of musical acts and some of the best festival garb you'll see anywhere in the country.

Though the hallmark of AFROPUNK's booking is for each act to feature a prominent black member, the makeup of the bill was actually something like a mélange of styles. Saturday was more rap and R&B focused, including an artful headlining set from Solange (that went on 20 minutes late due to "technical difficulties"). MCs like Princess Nokia, Little Simz, and Leikeli47 tore up the Red Stage throughout the day, while soulful performances by Thundercat, Sampha, and Sinkane rung out from the Green Stage. Young Willow Smith surprised with her neo-reggae vibes, while Son Little stole the show on Day Two. Sunday was all about rock, like modern guitar god Gary Clark Jr. and the hip-hop funk of Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals. There was plenty of hip-hop (Cool Kids, Dizzee Rascal), R&B (Raphael Saadiq), and DJ music (Kaytranada) to keep everyone bumping into the evening, as well.

Still, you could almost assume attendees were there as much for the fashion as the music. People came dressed to impress, with elaborate and gender-defying outfits adorned like plumage signifying uncompromised individuality. Political messages were printed in bold across chests, on headdresses, and right on the skin. The overarching theme was one of claiming confidence in one's self-worth and fiercely standing ground against those who might try to tear you down.

Unsurprisingly, that sort of resistance was a prominent component of the festival. The word "RESIST" was written in lights along the fence between the main stages, and many on stage – including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and poet Staceyann Chin – espoused fighting back against a system that supports bigotry and hate. Encouragingly, this didn't take on an air of rage or hatred, as the conversation was more about coming together as a community than attacking any "other" group.

So even though pedestrian traffic flow issues causes some flared tempers on Saturday, there was an undeniably positive vibe throughout the weekend. Dance circles were common, an array of ethnic foods were there to indulge in, and it all felt like a place where anyone was welcomed. You really couldn't ask for a better respite from the tense cultural climate than what went on during AFROPUNK 2017.

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Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Unlocking the Truth had some technical issues, but still rocked - Photo by: Ben Kaye 

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

A Black Lives Matter "Say Their Name" rally - Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Original shoe designs - Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Skateboarders were flying high. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Son Little On The Green Stage Sunday. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Son Little's percussionist. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Dropping it low. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Macy Gray brought the power. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

RESIST. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Chicken Bunny Chow from Mediba Restaurant. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Looking on as Chin gave her speech. Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Poet Staceyann Chin delivered a fiery denunciation of President Trump. Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Spike Lee was taking head shots on Sunday to cast his next movie - Photo by: Ben Kaye

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Willow Smith whipped her hair on Saturday. Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Very black, very proud. Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

The Free Black Women's Library allowed you to trade an old book for a new one - Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Leikeli47's dancers brought attitude to the Red Stage - Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye

Afropunk Brooklyn 2017 Ben Kaye   01

Photo by: Ben Kaye