By Okon Ekpenyong

The five boroughs of New York City, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, and Brooklyn are known for their hip-hop roots, and many Afrobeat artists, especially those who reside there, have also developed. On Sunday, August 13, 2023, from 12 pm to 6 pm, the AFROBEATS TAKEOVER BARCLAYS CENTER FESTIVAL allowed artists to display their work to the public.

African Everything is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing educational resources and opportunities to empower people in the West African Continent. The organization sponsored the event to promote their mission of providing education and support to the region.

One of the Afrobeat’s Artists was TeeManay, who is from Nigeria but calls New York City his home; he says that Brooklyn is home to a vast population of Nigerian and other African nationalities residing here.

“Since Brooklyn is one of the birthplaces of hip-hop culture, it surely did help pave the way for the success of Afrobeat here in the United States and globally,” said Teemanay.

The festival highlighted the emergence of Afrobeat music and its influence on hip-hop culture. It featured a lineup of some local Afrobeat artists from the five boroughs. Audience members were able to experience a unique mix of music, culture, and dance as the artists performed songs from their various genres. The event was a great success and a memorable experience for everyone.

The crowd was in a frenzy as the music filled the air, and the energy was palpable as the performers excitedly took their places. From solo acts to full-fledged bands, the night was full of lively and passionate performances. It was a night to remember, and the audience was mesmerized by the talent on display.

Artists such as Nelle Divine, Ayo Jay, and Teemanay performed live, and they are among the hottest Afrobeat DJs and musicians in the New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey scene. Guests also witness performances by Jasmine Noir and others from Joe’s Academy Of New York.

Per an article on Newsbreak, Noni Styles organized the fashion show, and artists such as Young Kofi, Biraine, Millie Bass, Vybez Empress, and DJ Kobs gave the fans a reason to groove while enjoying the beautiful Afrobeat culture.

The show was a massive success, with the crowd also going wild for the different fashion pieces modeled by the gorgeous models. The models sashayed down the runway in the latest trends hosted by Noni Styles. The show ended with a bang as the crowd sang along to the music and cheered for the fantastic performances.

Teemanay produces a unique blend of Afro-fusion and Caribbean music. He has been influenced by the likes of Fela, Bob Marley, and Burna Boy and has used their music to inspire his creations. His music is widely available across many popular streaming platforms, and he has gained a loyal fanbase through his presence on social media. The artist’s most recent video, Litter Me, was shown in Times Square.

“It’s fantastic to be a part of this year’s AFROBEATS TAKEOVER BARCLAYS CENTER FESTIVAL, especially what a great time to be alive. A time when Afrobeats is going global, which makes me excited and grateful to be a part of it; we saw this coming”, he said.

“We had always prayed for a time like this, but now it’s happening, so I’m excited about AFROBEATS TAKING over BARCLAYS CENTER FESTIVAL and the opportunity that it is giving young afrobeats artists to showcase their piece.”

New York City Embracing Afrobeats

Because New York City is a melting pot of cultures, it embraces Afrobeats, and when that happens, the rest is history. 

Credit to Ancestors

When our ancestors were taken away from Africa and brought here, they created the sound and hip-hop culture we all know and appreciate. Therefore, since Hip-hop started here, New York is where you know that the foundation is necessary for an artist to strive, meaning if you make it in New York, you have the greatest chance to make it globally.

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