AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA BKLYN’s electrifying two-day event provided enthralling entertainment, music, food, fashion, and much more. Afropunk was held at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24. Celebrating 19 years, its legacy of expressing Black individuality, as well as providing a haven for Black excellence, was evident.
Attendees flaunted their best festival attire while embodying the freedom and theme for this year. Queen of Neo-Soul Erykah Badu headlined both evenings.
Afropunk started in 2005 and celebrates Black culture and diversity through art, food, fashion, music, and community. The meaning of the BLKTOPIA (pronounced Black-Topia) theme this year was to create a place in “the world where Black lives across the global diaspora embody freedom and are thriving; a place and movement where oppression and living in survival is in the past.”
Owned by Essence and in partnership with BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, Black Alternatives’ vibrant celebration and unity promoted the idea that “another world is possible” for the African diaspora. AFROPUNK’s Sango Amoda vocalized the importance of this theme.
“It’s really time for us as a diaspora to move past this kind of separatism, individualized culture, and recognize that as the white world sees us as one, we need to become one,” said Amoda. According to the creative director, the concept of Black-Topia was first launched at Essence Fest last year. “We wanted to explore Afrofuturism through the Afropunk lens,” said Amoda. “What that means is for us is radically rethinking how our Blackness shows up in the future — it was important for us to galvanize our outcast and outsider Black folks.”
(Brenika Banks photo)
Festival attendee wearing creative outfit on day one of Afropunk 2024. 
Veggie patty with coco bread from Tosh’s Patties, one of the vendors at Afropunk 2024. 
Singer and performer Durand Bernarr on day two of Afropunk 2024. (Brenika Banks photos) 
Singer LARA’ on stage performing songs from her new album, “Luvology”. 
Group of friends posing for pictures on day two of Afropunk 2024. 
Brazilian singer Larissa Luz performing on stage of Afropunk 2024 Credit: Brenika Banks photo
Amoda said Afropunk always represents the “other” or alternative Black experience. He noted that Essence is a “very particular Black experience” and unlocks the authentic, positive creative side of Black people that mainstream media isn’t promoting.
This year’s theme also focused on I.D.E.A.S. — an acronym for innovation, discovery, empowerment, artistry, and social change. The importance of Black people having the space at Afropunk to speak positivity to one another, as opposed to how mainstream society treats them, is essential.
During day one of the festival, Erykah Badu used the intro of her song, “My People,” as an opportunity to pay homage to Black men and women who started and contributed to the Punk movement. “It ain’t the same exact Punk movement, but it’s in our genes, it’s in our bones,” said the singer. “If you got your own way and your own messages, your own path, your own art, your own words, your own style, then [explicit], you’re punk.”
“Erykah might not be from Brooklyn, but she definitely is Brooklyn,” said Amoda. He referred to her as “an icon living” and said she has graced the Afropunk stage several times. “The stars aligned — we wanted to do something really special where tonight’s set and tomorrow’s set are completely different and completely in two different creative directions,” said Amoda. “That’s primarily where we got Erykah from.”
Badu inspires new singers and songwriters like LARA’. Originally from Killeen, Texas, LARA’ was excited about her album and Afropunk debut happening simultaneously. She credited Badu for well-written sonnets and is motivated to be as great. “I’m here just taking notes from everything and everyone.” She hopes Black people will be inspired to find their proper lane and purpose while creating revolution.
LARA’ encouraged Black people’s pursuit of “creating more spaces to think and plan out life.” Her new album, “Luvology,” uses the singer’s partner as her muse while “making vulnerable music.” She described being on stage as fun. “The energy was dope — I try to bring my real personality on stage.” Her comfort was evident in her voice and authentic connection with the crowd.
Post-performance, many people approached LARA’ to take pictures and complimented her music and singing. “I like that I resonate well with people,” she said. She said she truly believes the best way for an artist to thrive is through freedom, which resonated strongly with the festival’s 2024 theme, and believes Black people deserve spaces like AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA. “I feel like that’s what we’re striving for,” said LARA’. “That’s a part of why I make music — I feel like that’s why we put all this energy into creating spaces where we can be free.”
The space at Prospect Park was “a better location,” according to frequent Afropunk attendee Yvonne Ankrah. She said last year’s location — a venue in Greenpoint — didn’t provide enough grassy spaces for people to sit down and enjoy the festival.
“Now that we’re here in the Lena Horne area in Prospect Park, it’s definitely an improvement to what I felt lacked at the last Afropunk,” said Ankrah. She said the festival did well this year with its theme of unapologetic Blackness and that regardless of the theme is in any year, Black people will always “bring the flavor.”Afropunk will return for its 20th year celebration next summer. For more information, visit www.afropunk.com.