The beautiful faces of Afropunk London
- Text by Michael Segalov
- Photography by Jordan Stephens
Born in Brooklyn, 2005, Afropunk isn’t quite like any other festival. A celebration of black culture, whether it be art, fashion, music or beyond, Afropunk’s emphasis on education, empowerment and political awareness sets it apart from corporate sponsored weekenders.
Head down to most major British festivals (read all) and you’ll be struck by just how white the audiences are, a reflection of a music industry in which black voices and faces are all too often marginalised and ignored. Afropunk is a much needed antidote.
With the likes of Grace Jones, Laura Mvula, Kwabs and The Noisettes headlining the various stages erected throughout London’s iconic Alexandra Palace on Saturday for Afropunk’s first visit to London, photographer Jordan Stephens weaved his way through the crowds to capture those embracing and celebrating Afropunk’s London inauguration.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
American Football: The One With The Feelings
Many moons — The Midwest emo architects transformed a college experiment into a coming-of-age soundtrack. 25 years on, their latest iteration sees them bottle the same magic for the ups and downs of middle life.
Written by: Tracy Kawalik
London’s largest indoor skatepark to be demolished for padel courts
Better Extreme — The Barking skatepark’s fate follows that of similar indoor spaces in recent years, with operators GLL citing falling visitor numbers as the reason behind the decision.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Youthful joy & end-of-era poignancy at a London school prom
Leavers — For several years, Lewis Khan documented young people as they celebrated the last of their school days and the completion of their exams. The series is now collated in a new self-published photobook and short film.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
Joe James: “I will never be absent in my children’s lives because I know it doesn’t feel nice”
Hard Feelings — As the silky MC prepares to release his debut album ‘The Ends Never Ends’, he joins our column on fatherhood and masculinity to discuss leaving his childhood home at 16, the manosphere and his risk-embracing approach to life.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Sepia splashed memories of Britain’s ’90s squatting and free party scene
Bygones — Moving into a Hackney squat at the age of 19, Tom Hunter spent years living on London’s edges, while documenting the vibrant, creative community and culture that it enabled. Huck’s art director Sam White chats to him about the freedom that existed, the collectivism and what’s been lost over the decades since.
Written by: Samuel White