Rico Nasty Announced As AfroPunk 2021 Virtual Festival Headliner

For the first time, AfroPunk will center around a “Black Spring” theme. Emerging Afro-Latin and Afro-Caribbean artists including Rico Nasty, Seu Jorge, Seafoam Walls and more.

Rico Nasty has been announced as a headliner at AfroPunk’s 2021 Virtual Festival.

For the first time, AfroPunk will center around a “Black Spring” theme. Emerging Afro-Latin and Afro-Caribbean artists including Seu Jorge, Seafoam Walls, DAWERXDAMPER, Black Pantera, ChocQuibTown, Projexx, and JUP DO BAIRRO are headliners. The host of the entire festival is Santana Caress Benitez.

In a press release, the theme for this year’s virtual celebration is described by AfroPunk producer Tina Farris as “a moment to celebrate our African lineage and not allow the exploits of colonialism to further separate us whether we speak Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, or Dutch.” Additionally, a partnership between NPR and AfroPunk will launch alongside the festival to present the kick-off video performance.

Abby O’Neill, NPR’s Music producer shared a few thoughts on the collaboration:

“NPR Music is thrilled to bring a collaboration with AfroPunk and Tiny Desk to our audience, specifically in joining their ‘Black Spring’ festival to celebrate and amplify Afro-Latinx and Afro-Caribbean artists. AfroPunk has excelled at artist curation and lifting up new voices throughout their global community. With our combined reach, we can expand the impact and celebration for this special edition of the Tiny Desk.”

The Tiny Desk Meets AfroPunk program will feature performances by ChocQuibTown, Calma Carmona, Luedji Luna, and Nenny, and will be hosted by AfroPunk staple Jorge “Gitoo” Wright.”  

We’re sure we’re not the only ones missing the in-person festival that attracted thousands of visitors each summer to Commodore Barry Park. It’s hard to not be sad about past performances by acts like Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, SZA, Jesse Boykins III, Goldlink, Kelela, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Grace Jones, Tierra Whack, and countless others. 

AfroPunk 2021 kicks off at 4 pm ET on April 23 and will stream via planetafropunk.com. TinyDesk Meets AfroPunk begins at 3 pm on April 23, you can access it on npr.org/music and YouTube.