5.28.2022
Afro Nation Miami: Saturday Recap
Burna Boy Headlines the Sold Out First Day of Afro Nation’s U.S. Debut, Plus Performances from Asake, Mavado, Uncle Waffles, and Many More
(Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
THE RECAP:
Afro Nation is the world’s largest celebration of Afrobeats and African culture, uniting the diaspora under the banner of excellent music. Fans from all over the globe flocked to loanDepot park for Afro Nation Miami, the festival brand’s first-ever event in the continental United States. With the stadium roof open and the good vibes flowing, the sold out first day of the event was a smashing success.
Performing in front of 20,000 fans, African giant Burna Boy brought the house down, playing hits from his 2022 album Love, Damini, and earlier classics, welcoming special guest Black Sherif, the Ghanaian drill phenom, and closing the evening with a rousing, crowd-assisted version of “Last Last.” Asake shined in a spotlight set of his own, leading the crowd in energetic sing-alongs of his Mr. Money With The Vibe cuts, and Black Sherif performed a set of his own. Dancehall veteran Mavado, Nigerian riser CKay, and French singer Dadju lifted spirits earlier in the day from the main stage.
Folks looking to dance found an energetic outlet at the Piano People stage, sponsored by Audiomack. The first stage at an Afro Nation festival to spotlight the ascendant South African electronic genre of amapiano, the Piano People stage found notable names like Uncle Waffles, Musa Keys, and Focalistic spinning gold out of shaker intros and log drum breaks.
On Friday night, Afro Nation kicked the weekend off right with an official pre-party at the Oasis Wynwood, a spacious outdoor event space in the heart of one of Miami’s most storied neighborhoods. DJs like Walshy Fire, Chromatic, and Silent Addy set the vibe with Afrobeats, amapiano, dancehall, rap, and R&B hits.
During breaks in the action, fans enjoyed themselves at sponsored lounges and the African food truck courtyard outside. CÎROC featured its newest flavor, Honey Melon, at festival bars, while Hennessy sponsored two of the festival’s VIP lounges: the sky terrace, and the Recess Lounge.
Check back tomorrow for a recap of Afro Nation Miami’s star-studded Sunday, headlined by Wizkid and featuring performances by Rema, Fireboy DML, and more, and follow Afro Nation U.S. on Instagram for in-the-moment updates.
View photos of Afro Nation Miami 2023 Saturday HERE (please credit all photos to Afro Nation / @photographer)
View photos of the Oasis Wynwood pre-party HERE
For all other inquiries, please contact Michelle, Kevin, Destiny, or T’Keyah
BURNA BOY:
The African Giant closes the night with a hit-filled set with a grandeur that befits his artistic stature
(Credit: Afro Nation / @shaunllewellyn)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @a_ciggs)
Burna Boy performs with Black Sherif (Credit: Afro Nation / @a_ciggs)
ASAKE:
Nigeria’s fastest-rising star leads the crowd in singalongs of hits like “PBUY” and “Sungba”
(Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @flixz)
MAVADO:
The dancehall don performs a wide-ranging set drawing from his 20-year career
(Credit: Afro Nation / @shaunllewellyn_)
UNCLE WAFFLES:
The South African Amapiano DJ brought the house down as the Piano People stage headliner
(Credit: Afro Nation / @mel.visuals)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @mel.visuals)
DADJU:
The star French singer crosses the Atlantic for a sterling set
(Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
BLACK SHERIF:
The Ghanaian drill star turned heads with his signature rapidfire flow
(Credit: Afro Nation / @shaunllewellyn_)
CKAY:
Known for his worldwide hit “Love Nwantiti,” CKay’s standout performance showed his range
(Credit: Afro Nation / @a_ciggs)
NISSI:
The Nigerian riser glows in her regal white dress as she rocks a keytar solo
(Credit: Afro Nation / @shaunllewllyn_)
PIANO PEOPLE STAGE:
MUSA KEYS (Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
FOCALISTIC (Credit: Afro Nation / @flixz)
SCENES FROM THE FESTIVAL:
(Credit: Afro Nation / @shaunllewellyn_)
The Piano People crowd (Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
Fans pose with the DRC flag (Credit: Afro Nation / @chrisallmeid)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @a_ciggs)
AFRO NATION WELCOME PARTY @ OASIS WYNWOOD:
(Credit: Afro Nation / @a_ciggs)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @shaunllewellyn_)
(Credit: Afro Nation / @shaunllewellyn_)
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!
“For the festival goers, this year’s event fulfilled the 2-year long draught of social distancing and zero socializing. Social media was a buzz with Instagram reels featuring artist performances, festival fashion, and social engagements by the beach on the beautiful Praia da Rocha beach, just south of Portimão….Now with a second edition taking place in Ghana, this coming December, Afro Nation is yet to see more success.” – MEFeater
THE BACKGROUND:
Launched in 2019 with critical acclaim, Afro Nation is the biggest Afrobeats celebration in the world and a fast growing global cultural influence. The festival was founded by Nigerian creative industry entrepreneurs Obi Asika, and Smade, in association with BBC 1 Xtra. 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, and Dancehall at one of the most beautiful beach locations on the planet – past artists include Burna Boy, Davido, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz and many more. After finishing 2022 with Afro Nation Ghana (Dec. 29-30), Afro Nation is expanding even further in 2023, with Miami 2023, its first-ever festival on the continental U.S.
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