Afro-punk has taken over Brooklyn the past two weekends with multiple festival days at locations around Fort Greene. The events culminated yesterday with a day long Brooklyn style street party featuring music, art and fashion sponsored by Toyota and Mountain Dew.
Maybe you’ve never heard of Afro-punk? It got it’s start in the late 80’s and early 90’s with hardcore bands like the Bad Brains, 24-7 Spyz, and Fishbone. Since then it’s adopted elements of hip-hop and nu soul. The sound is being pushed forward by bands and artists looking to try something new and mash sounds and instruments together that you wouldn’t expect to work. Beyond the music there are close knit ties to the BMX and skateboarding communities. And Afro-Punk has spawned a distinctive take on fashion mixing 70’s glam with contemporary streetwear.
PSFK checked out a couple of artists this weekend including Little Jackie who just released a new album this past week. The Carps from Toronto are two guys advancing the punk sound with a stripped down mix of drums, guitar, and weird electronics. Lastly J*Davey from LA caught our ears blending airy vocals with rock and ambient synth breaks.
Toyota seems to have taken a liking to Afro-punk. The company had a slew of customized Matrix cars on display including an official Afro-punk version. They’re sponsoring a slew of events as part of their 5th door tour.
Fair enough, but nowhere do you say that it is (questionably) bad music…
July 14th, 2008 at 5:41 pm