Afropunk Takes Over Harlem for Black History Month

AFROPUNK, an annual multi-cultural music festival which blends some of the most interesting and hottest acts in punk, rock, hip-hop, folk and other genres, will be taking over Harlem this week to celebrate black culture.

Co-sponsored by Harlem Stage and the Apollo Theater, AFROPUNK’s Harlem takeover, while featuring musical performances, will have more of a political message than the regular festival, which is held in Brooklyn.

In addition to live musical performances, the takeover will feature film screenings, comedy shows, jam sessions and open discussions on such issues as identity, art and protest.

The Harlem series, which runs from February 21 through February 25, kicks off with the “Black Joy as an Expression of Resistance and Liberation” panel that will feature actor-musician Zoe Kravitz and AFROPUNK founder Matthew Morgan.

To close out the series, a concert will be held at the Apollo called “Afropunk’s ‘Unapologetically Black,’ The African-American Songbook Remixed,” which will feature the creative and musical direction by Robert Glasper, with Igmar Thomas and the Revive Big Band. Other concert performers include Tunde Adebimpe, Bilal, Toshi Reagon and Staceyann Chin.

AFROPUNK has grown steadily since the launch of the first festival in 2005.  In 2015, AFROPUNK debuted in Atlanta and held the first ever international AFROPUNK Festival in Paris.

For more information on The Takeover – Harlem, including a schedule of events, ticket and speaker information, please visit the AFROPUNK website.

View past Human Nature video from the AFROPUNK Festival below.