AfroFuture returns to SA, announces line-up

29 Aug 2023 - 14:17

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Culture Management Group has unveiled the line-up for the AfroFuture festival at Mushroom Park in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 30 September.

Tyler ICU is among the artists who will perform at AfroFuture festival in South Africa. Photo: Facebook

Having launched the Road to AfroFuture, an event series that spanned across the continent as a build-up to Detty December in Ghana in 2022, the pop-up roadshow is officially back with an electric roster of events and a full festival tour set to start next month.

Confirmed artists include Victony, Blxckie, Tyler ICU, Crayon and Pcee & Justin99, among others (see below). The festival will highlight the vibrant intersection of food, culture and collaborations to help advance the next generation of African talent.

“South Africa truly embraced AfroFuture last year so we had to return bigger and better,” AfroFuture CEO and founder Abdul Karim Abdullah said. “We’re excited to once again bring the platform here to further elevate local homegrown talent with the goal of merging the exciting worlds of fashion, art, music and food together into one unique African experience.”

With a strong focus on music education and empowering emerging talent, AfroFuture, in partnership with BlackBrick, will kick off with the AfroFuture Talks on 28 September. The talks will feature engaging interactive sessions with South African industry thought leaders, exploring the roots and influences of Afrobeats, amapiano and more. The sessions will also dissect the impact of music on African identity and heritage, and the pivotal role that women play in shaping the industry.

“By incorporating these pillars into the panel programming for AfroFuture, festival attendees will engage in discussions that are designed to celebrate African music and culture,” AfroFuture, formerly known as Afrochella, said. “This is also set to address important social and environmental issues, to best learn from each other with the aim of creating mutual understanding to further develop unification and respect.”

Festival activations will also include photo booths, art installations, AfroFuture merchandise, streetwear and lifestyle brand pop-ups. The event series will conclude with an after festival day party at Mea Culpa on 1 October.

Below is the full line-up: