This weekend, Black recording artists — from Lagos to Los Angeles — will gather in Detroit for an international music festival of epic proportions, one that the Midwest region has not seen before.
This event is called Afro Nation, the largest Afrobeats music festival in the world, founded by creative entrepreneurs Obi Asika and Smade in association with BBC 1 Xtra.
After playing in places like Portugal, Ghana and Puerto Rico, Afro Nation will come to Bedrock’s historic Douglass site in Detroit, the grounds of a former housing development once home to Motown luminaries Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard.
But Afro Nation arriving at the home of Motown on August 19 and 20 is more than symbolic. The Detroit event will serve as Afro Nation’s flagship festival in the U.S., featuring the most significant Afrobeats artists, Hip-hop, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall and Amapiano superstars.
If you’re unclear about Afrobeats, it’s not to be confused with Afrobeat, the Nigerian music genre with Yoruba, funk, jazz and soul elements. Instead, AFROBEATS is its electronic-leaning descendent that is a melange of Hip-hop, R&B, Dance Hall, House and musical styles emanating from West Africa, mainly Nigeria and Ghana.
Its slinky, seductive grooves have had global audiences in a chokehold. And Afro Nation Detroit is no different, as the two-day event is expected to draw tens of thousands of people each day. The festival is like the Lollapalooza for Black global music. What’s more, fellow Chicagoans, it’s only a four-and-a-half-hour car ride from its Downtown Detroit location.
With that said, here are five strong musical reasons why you should make that trip to Afro Nation Detroit this weekend — and it all has to do with the music:
Burna Boy, Davido, P-Square and Kizz Daniel — The Brightest Stars of the Afrobeats Universe — Will Perform
Yessir. Afro Nation Detroit will host some of the most significant artists of the genre: Burna Boy (Saturday), Davido (Sunday), P-Square (Sunday), Kizz Daniel (Saturday) and Naira Marley (Sunday). Fans worldwide clamor for their music, and they have collaborated with everyone from Drake and Lil Baby to Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.
Davido and Burna Boy, in particular, have a penchant for creating songs that possess an anthemic quality, dominating playlists and dance clubs. And both are coming to Downtown Detroit this weekend.
Ari Lennox
A force in contemporary R&B, Ms. Lennox appeals to generations of R&B lovers thanks to her clever, candid and sumptuous brand of soul that recalls the very best of the Neo-Soul era. You can’t go wrong with any of her projects, including 2022’s brilliant “Age/Sex/Location” album. You definitely can’t go wrong in seeing this smoldering performer in person on Saturday.
Reigning Rap Queens
Latto and Coi Leray, urban radio mainstays, perform Saturday and Sunday at Afro Nation, respectively. While there appeared to be a misunderstanding between the two over some lyrics earlier this year, that all seems to be put to bed now. All these two reigning rap queens are expected to do is pull out that “Big Energy” and show us all that “girls is players too.” (Wow, I felt my middle-agedness in writing that. Sorry.)
I meant to say that both should put on memorable performances off the power of their hit singles.
The Smooth Stylings of Dadju & Masego
French vocalist Dadju and Jamaican-born musician and singer Masego prove that Afro Nation is truly a Black diasporic musical experience. The former comes from a Congolese musical lineage comparable to the McFerrins (Google it). The latter is a musical wunderkind who made and minted his own style of music, which he refers to as “TrapHouseJazz.”
No matter how you label them, both are masters, making the sort of breezy, summer-flavored music best to enjoy with a romantic partner.
Some DeJ Loaf Detroit Love
At one time, DeJ Loaf was a breakthrough star on the strength of a viral hit and recognition by Drake. She was recently added to the Afro Nation Detroit lineup. DeJ released a new single with Afrobeats artists Teni and CheekyChizzy called “Please Don’t Go.” We’re glad she never left.
And speaking of home cooking, Detroit-based DJs Blaaq Gold, DJBJ 3525, DJ Carter and Donovan Glover were also added to the lineup.
For More Information
What: Afro Nation Detroit, presented by Bedrock, Event Horizon, SMADE and Live Nation, featuring Burna Boy, Davido, Ari Lennox, P-Square, Coi Leray and Latto.
When: Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20
Where: Bedrock’s Douglass Site, Detroit
What else: For more information on Afro Nation Detroit, including ticket info, visit this link.