photos by Amanda Hatfield

Das Racist / Spank Rock / skaters

The first day of Afro-Punk 2012 descended upon Commodore Barry Park on Saturday (8/25), bringing with it a day of live musical performance, skateboarding and dancing crowds as far as the eye could see. In addition to this second set of pictures from the Navy Yard in Brooklyn (below), check out the first set of previously posted pictures from Afro-Punk HERE.

More pics of Afro-Punk day 1, including Erykah Badu, Yasiin Bey, Das Racist, Spank Rock, Cerebral Ballzy, Oxymorrons, The Joe Jordan Experiment and more are below.

Continue reading "Afro-Punk 2012 day 1: a second set of pictures"

photos by Gretchen Robinette

Yasiin Bey & Erykah Badu / Cerebral Ballzy at Afropunk Fest 8/25/2012

Yasiin Bey joined headliner Erykah Badu on the first day of the 2012 edition of the Afropunk Festival, going down at Commodore Barry Park near the Navy Yard in Brooklyn on Saturday (8/25). The pair were joined on stage when Bey performed Common's verses from their hit collaboration "Love of My Life" on that Saturday evening. Video from that is below.

But of course Badu wasn't the only artist to bless the stages on Saturday, with the festival loaded with appearances from names like Das Racist, Spankrock, Cerebral Ballzy, Oxymorrons and many, many more during the nine hours of stage time. Pictures from the first day at Afropunk 2012 are below along with video of that Badu/Bey collaboration.

Continue reading "Afropunk Festival 2012 in pictures: day 1 with Erykah Badu, Das Racist. Spankrock, Cerbral Ballzy and more "

According to Toro y Moi and Das Racist, this weekend's free Afro-Punk festival is unfortunately cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. That said, as of this post, the festival itself hasn't said a word about it.

UPDATE, it's official:

The City of New York has rescinded all event permits for Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th because of the impending Hurricane Irene. The Afro-punk festival has been barred from holding any public assembly in Commodore Barry Park this weekend. Afro-punk staff have been meeting with officials and sponsors to try and avoid cancellation but have had to cancel this weekend's festival due to safety concerns. The event organizers are regrouping to plan the next steps and will keep the public updated.

That's a picture of the set times for this year's free Afro-Punk Fest Festival taking place on 8/27 & 8/28 in Brooklyn's Commodore Barry Park. Click the image for a bigger view.

Cerebral Ballzy play on Sunday, one day before they strangely play a Daytrotter show at the Living Room.

Das Racist play this a few weeks before they launch a proper tour at Bowery Ballroom.

Das Racist, who DJ'd PS1 this past weekend, are releasing their first official album Relax on September 13 via Greedhead (artwork above). The album is the followup to the two mixtapes they released lat year, Shut Up, Dude and Sit Down, Man. Relax features production from Das Racist themselves, Patrick Wimberly, Anand Wilder (of Yeasayer), El-P, Diplo, Rostam (of Vampire Weekend), Blood Diamonds (who are playing Glasslands soon), and others. The album also features guest spots from Danny Brown, Despot, and Bikram Singh. Check out the lead track "Michael Jackson" along with the track's artwork below.

Das Racist at Pitchfork Festival (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Das Racist have some upcoming dates this summer, including the free Mad Decent Block Party in Philly and the free Afro-Punk Fest in Brooklyn's Commodore Barry Park on August 27. The two day Afro-Punk Fest, which Das Racist were recently added to, also has Cee Lo, Janelle Monae, Toro y Moi, Fishbone and many more. Schedule still TBA.

Das Racist will kick off a fall tour with Despot and Danny Brown at Bowery Ballroom in NYC on September 12. Tickets for the Bowery show, which is also the record release show, go on sale Friday (8/5) at noon.

All Das Racist dates, "Michael Jackson", and tracklist below...

Continue reading "new Das Racist album info, new song & tour w/ Despot & Danny Brown (Bowery Ballroom & free Afro-Punk fest included)"

Janelle at Afro-Punk 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Afro-Punk 2011 will take place in Fort Greene's Commodore Barry Park on August 27 and 28. This year's crazy lineup consists of Cee Lo Green, Janelle Monae (who played the fest in 09), Fishbone, Santigold, Jay Electronica, Toro y Moi, Reggie Watts and more. The festival will also a hold a Skate and BMX competition, and other related events. Admission is free to the general public.

Full lineup below...

Continue reading "Afro-Punk 2011 -- free Fort Greene fest lineup (Cee Lo, Janelle Monae, Toro y Moi, Santigold, Fishbone, Reggie Watts, more)"

"Don't worry, we didn't think it could get crazier either, but it did! Our brother Mos Def will be headlining the AP Fest on June 27th, playing alongside 24-7 Spyz, J*DaVeY, The Cool Kids, Martin Luther and many more at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn, NY.The June 26th line-up is just as crazy, feat. Bad Brains, P.O.S., Ninjasonik, God Forbid, Cipher, Game Rebellion and more."

Bad Brains @ Vice Halloween 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Bad Brains will be one of the bands headlining Afro-Punk 2010 happening in Fort Greene's Commodore Barry Park (a new location) from June 25-27 (Flushing Ave & N Elliot, Brooklyn). There's music for two days of the skate-heavy fest - Saturday's music includes Bad Brains, Game Rebellion, P.O.S., Ninjasonik, Belikos, Activator, The 54 and Cipher. Sunday's lineup is 24-7 Spyz, The Cool Kids, J*DaVeY, Martin Luther, The Memorials and Bad Rabbits, as well as a their "Culture Klash" DJ series with Q TIP Vs Afrika Bambaataa. Music is 1-9pm both days. Tickets are on sale.

An animated flyer and more details are below...

Continue reading "Afro-Punk 2010 - lineup includes Bad Brains, Ninjasonik, Q-Tip DJing, Game Rebellion, P.O.S. & more (tix on sale)"

photos by Tim Griffin

"The other day I attended the Afro-Punk Festival at the BAM skate park. I had the pleasures of seeing Janelle Monae and Saul Williams. There were also cats skating [and biking] around and doing tricks. All around there was just a good ol' merry vibe and I had fun for the short time I was there." [Phantastictful?]

Continue reading "Janelle Monae played the Afro Punk Festival w/ Saul Williams (pics), playing Governors Island w/ Erykah Badu"

Advice for attending July 4th fireworks: arrive early and expect crowds [Everything Hudson]

What are you doing on the 4th? Below we've listed a bunch of other options if you'll be in NYC (and a few if you want to leave)...

Continue reading "Independence Day 2009 - 4th of July events in NYC (Conor Oberst, Woodsist Fest, Japanther, Feelies, fireworks, more)"

Janelle Monae @ MHOW in April (more by Tim Griffin)

This summer Afro-Punk, BAMcinematek and Toyota will present the 5th annual Afro-Punk Festival, taking place July 3rd - July 8th, 2009 in the heart of Brooklyn, NY. The festival is the definitive destination for the global Afro-Punk community and audiences yearning to experience true AP culture!

Schedule and more info, below...

Continue reading "Afro-Punk - 2009 Brooklyn festival dates & lineup (Janelle Monae, Living Colour, Earl Greyhound, Saul Williams...) "

Michelle N'degeocello, The Nosiettes, The Dirtbombs, Tamar Kali, Bermuda featuring Antibalas Horn Section, Little Jackie, Sophia Ramos, and much more.....

Continue reading "4th Annual Afro-punk Festival --- July 5-13 in Brooklyn, NY"