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The beautiful faces of Afropunk London

A celebration of diversity — Brooklyn based Afropunk festival –  a much needed celebration of black culture in the city and beyond – hits London for the first time. We sent photographer Jordan Stephens to Alexandra Palace to capture the festival's inauguration in the city.

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.

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