8.10.2023

Afro Nation Detroit Announces Pre-Show Events Across the Motor City, Including Comedy, Conversation, Music, and More

Headlined by Burna Boy and Davido, the Inaugural Afro Nation Detroit Happens on August 19th-20th

Celebrating African and Black Music and Culture in a Historic Music City, Afro Nation Detroit Follows Up Successful Afro Nation Events in Miami, Portugal, Ghana, and More

Visit Detroit.afronation.com for Additional Festival Information

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:

A celebration of music and culture, Afro Nation brings the biggest names in Afrobeats and Global Black music together for festivals around the world. Next month, Afro Nation brings its irrepressible vibe to Detroit for the first time, presenting Afro Nation Detroit, happening August 19th-20th at Brewster-Douglass in the heart of the Motor City.

Before the festival, Afro Nation will host a series of events across the city, engaging with the local community and getting fans in the festival mood:

• To kick things off, Afro Nation hosts the official Jerk and Jollof Welcome Party, featuring food, drink, dancing, and music from DJs Walshy Fire, Blakito, and more to be announced.
  • Date: Friday, August 18th
  • Location: Monroe Street Midway, Detroit, MI
  • Time: 4-10pm
• Afro Nation brings business and community leaders together for a series of Homecoming Conversations, covering topics including musical innovation, entrepreneurship, and more. Stay tuned for announcements about panel participants
  • Date: Friday, August 18th
  • Location: 16th Floor, One Campus Martius, Detroit, MI
  • Time: 12pm-4pm
• Afro Nation hosts The Laughing Leopard, a stand-up comedy show hosted by Nigerian comedian Kenny Blaq, and featuring the talents of comedians Josh Adams, Comedian CP, Comic J. Will, and Mic Larry
  • Date: Friday, August 18th
  • Location: 16th Floor, One Campus Martius, Detroit, MI
  • Time: 7-11pm

This series of events leads into Afro Nation Detroit 2023, the second Afro Nation event in the United States. The festival brings in Burna Boy and Davido, to headline a genre-spanning lineup of heavy-hitters. Featured on the lineup are R&B singer Ari Lennox, Nigerian duo P-Square, ATL rapper Latto, “Players” hitmaker Coi Leray, genre-bending musician Masego, and many more.

Afro Nation has also announced the lineup of DJs and hosts for next weekend’s festival, including

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 Yorker, particularly for the spotlight it shined on Amapiano, Variety, Billboard, 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.

Sign up at Detroit.afronation.com for updates on headliners, ticket options and additional festival information

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 Michelle, Kevin, Destiny, 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.

Links:

official site | twitter | instagram

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