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Gunna performs onstage throughout Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash

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Key Takeaways:

• Gunna and Asake will headline the inaugural Afro+ Fest in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 31.
• Artists from throughout the diaspora — together with Gabzy, Shatta Wale and Shenseea — will carry out on the one-day occasion.
• Afro+ Fest can even characteristic meals, style and a market for Black-owned manufacturers, aiming to uplift native tradition and enterprise.

Atlanta rapper Gunna and Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter Asake might be headlining Afro+ Fest, which is being touted as Washington, D.C.’s first competition for Global Black music. The one-day occasion goes down on Aug. 31, which additionally occurs to be throughout Labor Day Weekend.

Afro+ Fest will happen on the RFK Festival Grounds and contains a large lineup of expertise from throughout the globe. Considering the rise in recognition of Afrobeats stateside and that the capital’s nickname is “Chocolate City,” the situation selection makes excellent sense.

Besides Gunna and Asake, acts from throughout the diaspora are additionally on the invoice, together with British-Nigerian singer Gabzy, Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist Shatta Wale, Jamaican dancehall singer/rapper Shenseea, South African-based DJ Uncle Waffles and plenty of extra. Another act attendees may even see as a particular visitor is native rap star Shy Glizzy, who might be conducting an “A Tribute to DC” set.

As for Afro+ Fest, their objective is to honor international Black music — together with genres like Hip Hop, Afrobeats, soca, R&B and dancehall — by way of a enjoyable, all-age pleasant surroundings. Besides the slate of performers, meals distributors shelling out international delicacies, artwork installations, style activations and a market for Black‑owned manufacturers and creators can even be readily available.

“This is the block party we’ve dreamed about for a decade,” mentioned Michael Awosanya, the founder and govt producer of Afro+ Fest, in an announcement. “With the support of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Events DC, Afro+Fest is bringing the full diaspora to RFK — music, food, culture — driven by the people and sounds that shape us.”

Along with its cultural influence, Afro+Fest can also be anticipated to be a monetary constructive for D.C. “The competition’s influence might be felt not solely via the music, however in the true alternatives it creates for native companies and visionaries,” Awosanya added.

Tickets for Afro+ Fest are already obtainable at theafroplus.com.