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A Look Back at AfroFuture 23'

Puplished 19th January 2024

AMAKA Editorial

AMAKA Editorial

@AMAKAEditorial

In many ways, the African diaspora community shares a common essence while maintaining our unique individual identities. At the 2023 edition of the Afrofuture Festival, this sentiment was ever-present.

Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images

In 2017, the festival formerly known as Afrochella launched and has since given home to music acts across the continent and diaspora such as Stonebwoy, Kwesi Arthur, Wizkid, Davido, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Asake, and Focalistic. Consequentially, it has in the same breath, provided a comforting space for the exploration of the multi-cultural facets of African identity and a mainstay of Ghana's 

The 2023 edition kicked into gear days before eager bodies lined the streets of the El Wak Stadium in anticipation of the festival’s return on the 28 and 29th of December. Themed “Black Unification and Pan Africanism”, Afrofuture 2023 featured activations such as Afro Expo, a series of digital experiences, wellness sessions, screenings and panel discussions across culture, technology, health, sustainability, music, and art. In partnership with Team Up, Mayekoo, and Polo Beach Club, the festival facilitated a community-wide beach clean-up to aid the reduction of beach and ocean pollution whilst fostering environmental awareness.

Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images

An outpouring of African culture bursts through the seams as soon as you make your way into the festival grounds. The site consisted of art installations, and vendor markets where festival merch and Ghanaian food could be purchased.

"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,”  CEO and co-founder Abdul Karim Abdullah said in a statement. 

 Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
 Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images

Festival performances kicked off on the Tunecore stage hosted by Mensah JR., featuring performances from the top five finalists of this year’s TuneCore Rising Star competition, namely Romeo Swag, 99 Phaces, Essilfie, Sage the Rager and Big Moon.

Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images
Image courtesy of Ernest Ankomah via Getty Images

Despite the sudden drop out of billed headliner, British-Gambian rapper, Jhus, the main stage was agog with electrifying sets from Efya, Juls, Camidoh, Musa Keys, Focalistic, Davido, DJ L.AJ, Adekunle Gold, Black Sherif, Cryayon and more. 

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