August in New York set the bar for team Black Major’s touring aspirations, with an appetizing first go at the Afropunk Liberation Sessions held at National Sawdust – an artist-led, not-for-profit space that is well known for having the best sound and lighting in the region. Okzharp and Manthe Ribane flexed alongside fellow SA artist Phatstoki, as well as a host of groundbreaking performers from around the globe. The pièce de résistance however came in the Commodore Park Afropunk main stage surprises… the first of which came forth in an impromptu performance from Sho Madjozi during DJ Lag’s Jika, which left the crowd reeling. As if that wasn’t enough, comedian Chris Rock and Joey Bada$$ submitted to the sound and joined our Gqom King on stage during the remainder of his set. With this being his second tour to the US, it’s clear that folks across the ocean can’t get enough. DJ Lag will be traveling back stateside again soon, after some rather fruitful banter backstage with Tyler the Creator, Zoe Kravitz and Syd The Kyd who returns for Afropunk Johannesburg later this year, with The Internet.
Keep an eye out for more stellar performances on home ground at Afropunk Johannesburg, set to be announced at the end of October. In the meantime, check out the images from our trip below:
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