AfroFuture Festival: A Celebration of Black Culture, Connection, and Creativity
Why AfroFuture Festival is a Must-Attend Event for the African Diaspora
Imagine standing in the heart of Ghana, surrounded by vibrant music, electrifying art, and a wave of unapologetic Black joy. AfroFuture Festival isn’t just an event; it’s a movement—a global reunion of the African diaspora. The event was founded in 2017 as AfroChella by Abdul Karim Abdullah and Kenny Agyapong, two Ghanaian-American event promoters that live in New York. The name was changed after a lawsuit was settled with Coachella, but the vibes remain the same.
My style of travel is to find a festival that interests me and use that as an introduction to the city so after watching posts of AfroFuture on social media for years, I decided to head to Ghana and experience the event and capitol city, Accra, for myself. AfroFuture was so much fun. I’ve been listening to a lot of Afrobeats music but I knew there was so much more than what I had access to in the states, so this was a great way to do a deep dive into all the sounds of the continent. The only performer I knew before the festival was Omah Lay but I wasn’t introduced to Cameroonian singer Sabrina, Ghanaian rapper Joey B. and so many more.
For years, many in the African diaspora have felt disconnected from the continent, yearning to explore their heritage but unsure how to bridge the gap. The stories, traditions, and culture that bind us to our ancestors have often been overshadowed by distance, time, and misunderstanding. At the same time, African creatives and entrepreneurs face the challenge of gaining global recognition, despite their extraordinary talent and innovation. AfroFuture isn’t just a festival—it’s the answer to both dilemmas. But here’s the conflict: tickets sell out fast, flights become scarce, and opportunities to attend the festival dwindle every year. Will you let this chance pass you by again?
AfroFuture is where music, art, and fashion transcend borders. It’s where Afrocentric innovation meets the roots of our ancestry. DJs from Ghana, New York and Nigeria played a mix of everything from Amapiano to Biggie and I met people from all over the states, London and a crew from the Caribbean. The festival not only bridges the gap between the diaspora and the continent but also empowers African creators by giving them a global platform.
This year AfroFuture is expanding their reach with events in Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Rwanda and Tanzania so check out the official website for more information. To read more about my experience in Ghana, click here.
A Vibe Called Fest keeps you up-to-date with all the important information for festivals and cultural events centered around Black people. Subscribe and check out our FesTEAval Blog posts and the Next Fests list.
