AfroPunk represents the influence of blackness in the music industry through its mouthwatering line-up which features; Nadia Rose, Lianne La Havas, Kojey Radical, Thunder Cat and Hannah Faith to name a few. Making this UK festival one that shouldn’t be missed.
Here at HTF we thought it’d be a good idea to highlight 5 acts that should look out for this year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQp9lnDf3GA
Willow Smith
At 17 years old Willow has a self-confidence that liberates those who a lack of self-belief. Willows individuality and striking beauty is spawning a bigger audience by the day, and she shows no sign losing her ability to create mindful music that in some ways remind me of Erykah Badu ‘Baduzium’ days. Willow is an avid campaigner of POC’s and an activist, at best she is a leader. Her latest single ‘Jimi.’ is a neo-soul masterpiece, one to look for when she performs at Afro-Punk next month.
Connie Constance
The Watford-born dancer turned poet originally came to London to find her feet literally and figuratively. After realising singing and writing music was her real passion not dance, her flair as an explicit wordsmith has put her a the forefront of people’s attention. Her latest collaboration w/ Jelani Blackman not only shows us how much she has grown as an artist since her debut ep ‘In The Grass’ but lets us know that she shows zero signs of slowing down.
Thundercat
As a musician growing up playing in a band with Kamasi Washington and hanging around with Flying Lotus, while forging musical gems in the studio with Kendrick Lamar has undoubtedly shaped Thundercats supreme musicality. His 70s funk and R&B fusion with a touch of punk-like hue made his 2017 album Drunk one that demanded a standing applause.
Kojey Radical
Since busting the doors down with his debut EP Dear Daisy: Opium back in 2014, Kojey Radical has earned the label of being a multi-layered artist. His vocals visualised with his Avant-grant music videos. His clear-cut vocals and the content of his words hit a chord within the listeners due to the artist’s raw energy that he brings to his music.
Nao
The way in which NAO brings together elements from Electro-pop to R&B, then topping it all of with a neo-soul like resonance makes her overwhelmingly desirable to our ears. She performs like a fireball bouncing off the walls until she wants to soften the mood with tracks like ‘DYWM or ‘In The Morning.” Her 2016 album ‘For All We Know’ is a vast landscape of emotions that can emphasise with a range of listeners.
There’s still a few tickets left, make sure you get one quick: www.afropunkfest.com/london/tickets/
