AFROPUNK: The Unbreakable Spirit
āAfropunk is a movement more than anything elseā. Itās been said many times by our very own podcaster, Golden Brown, and in the back of my head I sort of understood what she meant. With its history stemming from the early 2000s to what it has become now, there definitely has been a major following of individuals thriving for an escape - for a sense of freedom and community. When we heard the news that the festival was cancelled on October 1st, my heart clenched and I felt sick. Thatās when I knewā¦this definitely was a movement and I didnāt want it to end.
Emergence of Afropunk Atlanta Plan B
AFROPUNK created an event page on Facebook, and in the prior months to the festival, over 7,500 āAfropunkersā confided in one another for support, mutual excitement and general questions about tickets, hotels, etc. The news of the cancellation prompted many posts of sadness, anger, and confusion. But one theme stood out in the midst of it all: people were still going to Atlanta.
Patrons who were in the AFROPUNK event page worked together to create a separate group page on Facebook: Afropunk Atlanta Plan B with a growing 200+ members. Although a slightly smaller number of us were in the group, we still put forth efforts to reach out to all members of the AFROPUNK community through social media via #AfropunkATLPlanB, Twitter and Tumblr. A larger turn out of fellow Afropunkers made the safe space of the weekend feel like the original 7,500. We posted events that were still taking place. The Red Bull Sound Select: AFROPUNK Fest Kick Off Party with performers such as Jesse Boykins III and Loaf Muzik at Aisle5 was one to name a few. Reflected through many posts for meet ups upon arrival, housing arrangements for those that didnāt have a place to stay, and venue suggestions for the night out ā the weekend was reborn. The fervor, the inspiration; all of it came back to life in just a couple hours that same day.
The Podsquad, my misfit podcast group of intellectual music junkies, made it to Atlanta just in time to kick back and relax with Bojangles chicken and contentment. Our podcastās producer, Anubas, hooked his DJ equipment to mix beats as we all began to get ready. Some of us smoked in the back, taking in the cold, misty air. Others laughed amongst themselves, cherishing the fact that we all finally got to be together. Random dancing ran through the house as we got ready, electric colors from jewelry and clothes shimmered down the hooded halls, and all the while our deep bond and friendship for each other poured over into cups of whiskey and group pictures; a pre-game night similar to many others who got ready that night too.
We made it to Edgewood and were told that there was something over at Space2. We went in search of it. To find a happy medium. To find our crowd. We passed by a couple bars and clubs along the strip of the well-lit street; bright murals on concrete walls and clubs that screamed creativity. Finally we stumbled into a dark interior, with lights at the main stage and glass windows; nothing but dancing, drinks and laughter. Fellow Afropunkers! Sounds of the night made everything great again. Saturday was equally as pleasant; we searched the streets of Atlanta and once again, followers of the AFROPUNK movement posted in the AFROPUNK ATLANTA PLAN B page and all over social media with events and a meetup at Tapas Lounge in the city. We ended up going to The Juice that night at Whiskey Park. The lounge was gorgeous, the sounds of Brenmar, Nadus, Jay Envy and Decoteau elicited excitement. Our crew members were able to run into the lead vocalist of Samurai Shotgun, Mateo Henley, to take pictures and grab hold of their coveted CDs.
This opportunity allowed me to later interview the very talented Mateo. I was eager to capture and understand a completely different perspective on the music and networking side of the weekend. It was a highly anticipated conversation that showed great promise:
As an [artist] for the festival, how did you and your band prepare for Afropunk when you were originally scheduled to perform?
We prepared by practicing a specific [set list] that we were really feeling and that would execute to the crowd. We also got our merch game up with more shirts, stickers, and had 1000 [CDs] printed up that said Samurai Shotgun Afropunk special edition on them.
After the cancellation, you all made the decision to continue your adventure to Atlanta in order to network and vibe with whoever still wanted to come, how did it make you feel that so many people were excited to see your performance at Space2?
The cancellation was of course a bummer and hurt, this was going to be our biggest and most important show/festival to date, but things happen. We made the right decision to go to ATL anyway and network and pass out our [CDs], plus you'll never know what can happen.
We got blessed with a show on Friday night to perform as Space 2 along with another band by the name of Baby Baby. Afro punk put both of us on after the Black Panther Documentary, which was nothing but love, and we were stoked for it.
Can you discuss how the networking and business side of Afropunk helped you meet new individuals and celebrated artists in Atlanta? Who did you meet? Do you believe this has propelled your career as a performer?
The networking was lovely. We met a lot of artist, musicians, owners, among a wide variety of other people. We saw Saul Williams but didn't get a chance to talk to him earlier in the night. Then during our set we saw him watching us in the crowd, which was dope that he stuck around for a good amount of our set just watching us.
Youāve given out a lot of your sneak peek CDs that highlight some songs from your new album. Can you discuss the transformation of your bandās sound from the last album? What were the main inspirations for your songs?
Our first album we didn't have a sound, it was just random riffs and patterns that we agreed on. Our new material is more of a sound that we love, not like, and we are constantly evolving our music with every song we create. We are much happier with our new project dropping in a few months.
In what ways do you believe your band highlights the values of Afropunk?
We are Afropunk, that is the "genre" and sound that best defines us. That's why we were so excited to play this festival. Even though it didn't happen, it seems that a lot more came out of the situation. We are open-minded individuals that believe in freedom, passion, equality, and loveā¦ [We] will be dropping a new album, and will be trying to jump on some bigger tours for 2016.
Sunday was justā¦beautiful. This was the day many of us had to leave, unfortunately, but for those of us who were able to stay behind, we made our way down Marietta Street and to the Style Market pop up shop at Studio 7. Have you ever visited a place for the first time and thought to yourself, āThis is a home I never knew existed.ā This venue was that place for us. So many bright and beautiful vendors selling their merchandise, arts and goods: Tony B. Conscious, Elouinia Exantus, Your Queens, and many more. It reflected the style, beauty and fashion of AFROPUNK. We met more members from the FB group page and took many pictures, discussing Bon Fires and the Falcons game that crowded the streets. Afterwards, we found our way to a Daiquiri restaurant and made it home in time to get ready for the drive back the next day. It was a good way to end the weekend.
From solo travelers like Barb Tisi to those who traveled in large packs, a tremendous shout out is in order. We managed to connect, join together at events, take pictures and network effortlessly. Just like LaKeisha Ashley wrote, we ā[understood] that likeminded souls find their way to each other.ā Itās truly beautiful. The AFROPUNK ATLANTA PLAN B page still keeps itself up and running. We are constantly talking with other members, promoting vendors and art, and appreciating the fact that we are this movement. We realize this how greatness is born.
When it came down to it, and as things on the page began to die down, I took that time to personally ask the group how the weekend made them feel, what they gained from the experience ā a myriad of enchanting answers spilled forth:
āThe most memorable trip I had this decadeā¦ā ā Auntrion Yo
āFinding strength and trusting myselfā¦ā ā K. Ryn
āFreedom and finding kindred spirits/souls.ā ā Kim Kenser
āItās like a āland before timeā, searching for my kind.ā ā Vee Prince
And find each other, we did.
