AFROPUNK NYC 2015 Celebrates Alternative Black Culture

Since its inauguration in 2005, AFROPNK FEST has been a haven for Black Punks who don’t have a place in mainstream Punk. The two-day festival has now become a celebration of alternative Black culture for the many black men and women who don’t fit neatly into society’s stereotypical box. Given the current social climate of the United States, the AFROPUNK website and festival is a place for conscious Black men and women to be around like minded people and bask in the glory of black culture and beauty.

As someone who frequently counts the number of Black people in attendance at concerts, it was refreshing to be part of the majority at a musical event. AFROPUNK, however, is more than a music festival, it’s more of a community fair that also features a great musical line up. Here you can find your new favorite Black owned business to support and maybe if you pay close attention, you’ll see some familiar TV faces blending in with the crowd. To see so many unapologetically creative people walking around Commodore Barry Park, is breathtaking and a little overwhelming. After soaking it all in, I took the time to ask a few beautiful people about their taste in music.

CHANEL EATER and PRINCE ROYAL
Third and first AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music:
C: Very viral, diverse, and raw.
P: Very authentic, sharp, sounding.
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to?
C: There are a lot of underrated artists, I’m just one example.

BRITTANEY
First AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music:
Eclectic
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to?
Kelela

MOE SHEESH and COMMODITY
First and second AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music:
M: From really southern to really hectic. I don’t discriminate.
C:
Very broad from FKA Twigs to Fat Trel.
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to?
M: Devin the Dude. He’s one of the pioneers, but he’s never been in the forefront.
C: Light Show

JESSICA WILLIAMS
First AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music: Eclectic, open. It goes from indie rock to highly produced like Kanye West.
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to? The Go! Team. They loop hip hop with soul samples. They’re my favorite group.

FRANCHESKA MEDINA
Second AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music: It’s really eclectic. I like everything, except country.
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to? India Shawn

FRANCHESCA RAMSEY
First AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music:
My music taste is very eclectic. I like rap music, I like electronica, I like R&B, I like trip hop, I like alternative, I like indie. I like a lot of different things.
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to?
I don’t know that I would say underrated, but someone that I did not expect to sound good — Selena Gomez has a really good new song and it’s like a trip hop-y song and the remix has A$AP Rocky on it. It surprised me.

MARLENE and BRUNO
First AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music:
B: A lot of hip hop also some soul and R&B.
M: A little bit of everything.
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to?
Raury. His energy was crazy It was indescribable to me.

AYINDE
First AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music:
Expansive
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to?
Nao

JOEY
Second AFROPUNK FEST
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Describe your taste in music:
Kind of all across the board, everything. I fuck with everything.
Who’s an underrated artist you’re currently listening to?
It’s a big sea of sick people. Jojo, for sure. She just released 3 singles.

If you missed out on AFROPUNK FEST NYC, you have the opportunity to get the full experience on October 3 and 4 in Atlanta. Weekend passes are on sale now, and daily tickets go on sale Friday August 28 at 12pm. The lineup includes D’Angelo and the Vanguard, Flying Lotus, Santigold, Lion Babe, Tyler the Creator, Kelela, and Lolawolf.