Nigerian-American Afrobeats superstar Davido, British-Gambian rapper J Hus and Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif are headlining the 2023 AfroFuture Festival, Culture Management Group (CMG) announced Tuesday (Oct. 17).
Launched in 2017 and previously called Afrochella until last year, AfroFuture will be held at El Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana from Dec. 28 to 29. This year’s theme is “Black Unification & Pan Africanism” to honor the achievements of Black pioneers throughout the diaspora and highlights their contributions to art, culture and innovation. The theme will also delve into the global connections and shared experiences of African people, including conversations on the history of the Pan-African movement, the role of diaspora in global politics and the significance of diaspora unity.
“AfroFuture has always been more than just a festival; it’s a full-circle celebration of everything African — our culture, our people, our talents, and serves as a platform for us to appreciate and acknowledge the larger contributions we make in the world,” said Abdul Karim Abdullah, CEO/co-founder of AfroFuture, in a press release. “This Detty December, we’re back bigger, better and stronger and we can’t wait to give our global supporters an unforgettable experience by beautifully blending the worlds of food, art, fashion and music.”
Leading up to the festival, AfroFuture will host a two-week expo of digital experiences, wellness sessions, screenings and panel discussions; an entrepreneurial pitch competition in association with Pharrell Williams‘ non-profit Black Ambition; the Rising Star challenge for up-and-coming artists looking for a shot at performing at this year’s AfroFuture Festival and market their music to more people; a short film competition in partnership with the non-profit Black Film Space; a community service day; and more.
“Every year, we look forward to contributing to the growth of Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sectors by welcoming international visitors back to the country to experience not only our events, but all that Ghana has to offer,” adds Kenny Agyapong Jr., COO/co-founder of AfroFuture. “As one of Ghana’s most recognized cultural moments, AfroFuture will continue to foster engagement, increase interest and boost tourism within the country, with a goal to make Ghana a premier destination for all travelers worldwide.”
TuneCore, YouTube, Black Ambition, Topics, Martell and Jameson are sponsors for this year’s AfroFuture Festival.
