8.11.2023

Afro Nation Detroit Adds Local Hero Dej Loaf to Star-Studded Lineup

Headlined by Burna Boy and Davido, the Inaugural Afro Nation Detroit Touches Down in the Heart of the Motor City  on August 19th-20th

The First-Ever Afro Nation Detroit Celebrates African and Global Black Music in One of the World’s Most Historic Music Cities, Bringin an International Array of Heavy-Hitters to Perform Over Two Action-Packed Days

Go to Detroit.afronation.com to Buy Tickets

Critical Praise:

Afro Nation events began in Portugal in 2019 and are continuing to grow and expand across the globe as a way to showcase and celebrate Afro-fusion, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, soca and more Black-led music.” – Billboard

“With previous events in Ghana and Puerto Rico, Afro Nation has the accolade of being the world’s biggest festival centered on Afrobeats music.” – Billboard

“The festival promises to deliver an impressive array of today’s hottest artists from Africa and the diaspora.” – Yahoo!

The Announcement:

Afro Nation is a vibrant celebration of African and Global Black music and culture, hosting many of the world’s biggest stars for festivals around the globe. On August 19th and 20th, Afro Nation makes its debut in the Motor City with Afro Nation Detroit, a two-day bash featuring some of the biggest names in Afrobeats and other Black genres.

Today, Afro Nation Detroit announces the addition of Dej Loaf to the already stacked lineup. A hometown hero who grew up not far from the festival’s Brewster-Douglass location, Dej Loaf is a mainstay in Detroit’s bustling hip-hop scene, bringing a sharp sense of melody to hits like “Try Me” and “Fame.” Dej Loaf joins a lineup featuring headliners Burna Boy and Davido, and an array of heavy-hitters including R&B singer Ari Lennox, Nigerian duo P-Square, ATL rapper Latto, “Players” hitmaker Coi Leray, genre-bending musician Masego, and many more. Stay tuned for more announcements about the festival lineup in the coming days.

Expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees each day, Afro Nation Detroit 2023 will feature additional activations and events to honor Detroit’s musical contributions to the world and highlight its connection to present day American, African, and global Black culture and music. The festival offers an opportunity to celebrate Detroit’s resilience and enduring legacy while also connecting with its vibrant music and artistic communities.  The festival site, Brewster-Douglass, is a historically significant housing project in Detroit that was the first federally funded housing project for African Americans in the United States. It was home to icons such as Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, and other influential African Americans.

Afro Nation Detroit follows up the successful Afro Nation Miami, which debuted in May 2023. Headlined by Afrobeats giants Burna Boy and WizKid, and featuring a powerful lineup of artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and across the globe, the festival earned coverage in The New YorkerVarietyBillboard, and more.

Afro Nation festivals are dedicated to providing a global platform for music from Africa and its diaspora. In addition, Afro Nation teams with BBC Radio 1xtra and the Official Charts Company to host a weekly UK Afrobeats Chart Show, and in 2022, Afro Nation partnered with Billboard to present the first-ever U.S. Afrobeats Chart.

With more milestones to cross and many unforgettable sets in the near future, Afro Nation is primed to shine an even brighter spotlight on some of the most exciting artists in music today.

Visit Detroit.afronation.com for tickets and additional festival information. Afro Nation Detroit is 98% sold out.

Click HERE to read more about Afro Nation’s pre-festival parties and community events:

Watch the Afro Nation 2022 Recap Video HERE

Keep an eye on Afro Nation US’s Instagram for more updates, and all the highlights from Afro Nation Miami 2023.

Afro Nation Detroit 2023 is presented by Bedrock, Event Horizon, SMADE, and Live Nation.

Afro Nation Detroit DJs and Hosts

Main stage Hosts:
Young Prince
Femi Lawson

Main Stage DJs:
Blaaq Gold
DJ Carter
DJBJ 3525
DJ Prince
DJ KDirty
DJ Marine

Amapiano DJs:
Lex N Answer
Ade Smilez
Aya
DJ Mobu
Donovan Glover

Amapiano Hosts:
Blaq Pages

Please contact MichelleKevinDestiny, or T’Keyah for more info.

The Background:

Launched in 2019 to critical acclaim, Afro Nation is the biggest and best Afrobeats celebration in the world and a fast growing global cultural influence. The events unite the diaspora and deliver something culturally important to a hugely underserved audience. In 2022, 40,000 music lovers attended Afro Nation Portugal to see the biggest names in Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip-Hop, R&B, Dancehall and Bashment, at one of the most beautiful beach locations on the planet. After finishing 2022 with Afro Nation Ghana (Dec. 29-30), Afro Nation expands even further in 2023, with Miami 2023, its first-ever festival on the continental U.S.

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Find more information at afronation.com and detroit.afronation.com

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