AfroFuture's U.S. Debut In Detroit Is Reshaping Festivals Forever

Forbes

2 days ago

From Ghana to the Midwest, AfroFuture is bridging continents, culture and creativity with a festival experience like no other.
Photo taken at AfroFuture 2024
AfroFuture
For nearly a decade, AfroFuture – formerly Afrochella -- has built a cultural bridge between the African continent and the global diaspora. What started as a festival in Ghana has since grown into an international movement—one that celebrates Black creativity across music, fashion, art and entrepreneurship.
Now, for the first time, AfroFuture is coming stateside with its inaugural U.S. edition this August in Detroit.
I sat down with AfroFuture co-founder Abdul Karim Abdullah over a plate of authentic Ghanaian cuisine at Accra Express in Harlem—a fast-casual outpost owned by him and his family, who also run the flagship Accra Restaurant in the Bronx.
With two locations across New York, the family-run business is as much about preserving culture as it is about feeding the community—a fitting setting to discuss the festival's journey, his entrepreneurial roots and why Detroit is the perfect city to host the next chapter of this global cultural exchange. Watch Full Forbes.com Interview Here
Shot by Karston 'Skinny' Tannis
AfroFuture's mission has always been about more than just a lineup of performers. 'It was really about building a bridge,' Abdul shared. 'As a first-generation American born to Ghanaian immigrants, I always existed between two worlds. We wanted to create a space where we could bring both parts of our identity together and give others the same opportunity.'
Launched in 2017 in Accra, the festival was initially a grassroots effort with limited resources. 'We didn't know how to run a festival,' Abdul admitted with a laugh. 'We knew how to throw events and build community, and we had the grit and patience to figure out the rest.'
AfroFuture 2024 Ghana
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That grit paid off. What began as a 2,500-person event has since expanded to attract more than 15,000 attendees from around the world each year—drawing partnerships with global brands like YouTube, Instagram, and Hugo Boss.
'We realized that almost 49% of our audience was coming from the U.S.,' Abdul said. 'That told us there was a huge demand here—a diaspora hungry for authentic cultural experiences.' Why Detroit?
Detroit's deep cultural legacy made it a natural choice for AfroFuture's U.S. expansion. 'It's a Black cultural Mecca,' Abdul explained. 'The city is rich in music, art, entrepreneurship and community. And it has one of the largest Black populations in the country.'
AfroFuture Detroit takes place at Bedrock's Douglass Site, with the main entrance located near the corner of Beaubien Boulevard and Winder Street in downtown Detroit.
Set for August 16–17 2025, the showcase is a dynamic mix of local and international talent. But beyond the music, the festival will offer: A pitch competition to fund Detroit-based Black entrepreneurs
A partnership with the College for Creative Studies at Pensole Lewis College for a fashion and design showcase
for a fashion and design showcase Art installations and wellness activations
Collaborations with Detroit poets and cultural leaders
Abdul and his team are committed to building long-term relationships with the local community. 'We're not here for a one-off event. We want to create sustainable programs and partnerships that continue to uplift Detroit even after the festival ends.' AfroFuture Festival Lineup of Superstar Talent
AfroFuture Detroit boasts a genre-spanning lineup curated to reflect the full spectrum of the global Black sound. From Afrobeats royalty to electro-dance innovators, each artist brings their own cultural narrative and energy to the stage. Here's who'll be headlining the Detroit stage:
AfroFuture Detroit 2025 Festival Headliners
AfroFuture
Davido
Afrobeats Icon
A commanding presence in global music, Davido returns as a headliner following his 2023 performance in Ghana, promising a show that blends hit after hit with undeniable charisma.
Asake
Afrobeats Rising Star
After igniting the Ghana stage in 2022, Asake now brings his high-octane, crowd-thrilling energy stateside to Detroit, solidifying his place as a festival favorite.
Kaytranada
Electro-Fusion / Dance Innovator
Known for his groove-heavy, genre-blending sets, Kaytranada adds a pulse of house, funk and futuristic beats that transcend borders.
Ludmilla
Afro-Latin Powerhouse
The Brazilian superstar brings Afro-Latin soul, R&B, and bold stage presence, embodying the multicultural crossover spirit of AfroFuture.
This sonic diversity is intentional. AfroFuture speaks to every corner of the diaspora—from the bass-heavy streets of Lagos to the dance floors of Detroit. Whether it's Afrobeats, Afro-house, R&B, or rap, the soundscape is designed to resonate globally while remaining rooted in community. 'Whether you're a hip-hop fan, an Afrobeat lover, a dance/house person, or just curious — we've got you covered,' says Abdul.
Expect multi-stage performances, surprise drop-ins, Detroit-native talent showcases, and genre-bending collaborations that celebrate both local heritage and global rhythm. Main Stage Lineup
AfroFuture's Main Stage in Detroit will feature an electrifying mix of global stars and rising talent, including Gims, Flavour, Lojay, Tee Grizzley, King Promise, KiDi, FAVE, Ding Dong featuring Platinum Kids and Noah Powa, Juls, DJ Obi, DJ Mo Beatz, DJ Prince, Ethan Tomas, DJ LAJ, and DJ RB Nice.
AfroFuture Detroit 2025 Festival Lineup
AfroFuture Culture Stage Performances
The Culture Stage showcases the pulse of Afro-diasporic sound and dancefloor culture, with performances by DJ Maphorisa, DBN Gogo, TxC, Tyler ICU, Donavan Glover, Ethereal, Jeanine Styles, DJ Mohogany, DJ K-Dawg & EZ Pass. Beyond the Festival: The Future of AfroFuture
Today, AfroFuture operates as Culture Management Group, a full-fledged creative agency working with partners across Africa and the diaspora. In addition to producing AfroFuture's live events, the team recently partnered with the Basketball Africa League (BAL) to oversee entertainment programming and influencer engagement.
Looking ahead, Abdul and his team hope to expand AfroFuture's storytelling capabilities through film, documentaries and digital content.
AfroFuture Festival 2024 Ghana
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'When you come to our events, you taste the food, see the fashion and hear the music. But we also want to tell the deeper stories—like the history of jollof rice or the nuances of our cultural traditions," adde Abdul. Family Heritage & Foundation
The roots of AfroFuture were planted long before the first artist ever hit the stage—inside a bustling West African restaurant in Harlem, where Abdul Karim Abdullah and his siblings learned what it meant to build something for the culture, by the culture.
Over a table filled with jollof rice, spinach stew, and waakye (Ghanaian rice and beans), he reflected on lessons learned from his father, who founded the family's beloved West African restaurant in Harlem nearly four decades ago.
'When we were younger, we hated having to work in the restaurant…but now I see how much it taught us about legacy and giving back to the community,' Abdul recalls with a laugh.
AfroFuture Festival 2024
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That foundation of service—one rooted in community, discipline and cultural preservation—became the blueprint for AfroFuture. Where once his family nourished Harlem with food, Abdul and his team are now nourishing a global audience through music, storytelling and immersive experiences that center the Black diaspora. 'We're not just throwing a festival. We're building a platform that celebrates Black creativity on our own terms—where we are the heroes of our own story,' Abdul said. Meet the AfroFuture Festival Team
What makes AfroFuture not just enduring, but ever-evolving, is the team behind it. Abdul counts on a tight-knit crew, many who've been with him since the festival's inception in 2017:
2022 with executive team L to R: Akiya McKnight, Gifty Boayke, Akosua Ayim, Corein Carter, Kenny Agyapong, Khadijat El Alawa Less AfroFuture Presss Kenny Agyapong – CFO & Co-Founder of AfroFuture
– CFO & Co-Founder of AfroFuture Akosua Ayim - Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Operating Officer Ashley Grant-Henriques - Publicist + Communications Director
Publicist + Communications Director Khadija El Alawa – Global talent wrangler, coordinating artists across Africa — from Kigali to Kigali to Morocco.
– Global talent wrangler, coordinating artists across Africa — from Kigali to Kigali to Morocco. Plus, a skilled operations team executing logistics across continents.
Abdul sums it up best, 'It's not just one brand or one sound. These people are my family; they share the same mission. There's no major investor — it's all been bootstrapped. We are organic, raw, rugged — true to ourselves.'
This unity has allowed AfroFuture to scale confidently, partner with major corporations like Bedrock and Mastercard Foundation, and execute cross-continental events with authenticity and precision. 'This isn't a vanity project — this is built by people who genuinely love the work. Everyone on our team is a cultural architect in their own right, and the festival wouldn't exist without that kind of dedication. We move with purpose and passion, not ego.' Festival Invitation to Detroit
Afrochella Festival Crowd Shot
@Tetson100
As we wrapped our conversation, Abdul issued an open invitation:
'If you've never experienced AfroFuture, this is your chance. Come to Detroit. From August 11th through 17th, we'll have something for everyone—music, fashion, food, wellness, entrepreneurship. Most importantly, it's an opportunity to connect, to celebrate, and to learn.'
With its Detroit debut, AfroFuture is poised to further cement its role as a leading force in global Black culture—one that honors the past while shaping the future. Hotel Blocks
AfroFuture has partnered with local hotels to offer special room blocks, all within one mile of the festival grounds. Availability is limited. Roost Detroit at Book Tower 1265 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226
1265 Washington Blvd. Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown 333 E. Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226 Travel Partnership with Delta Air Lines
AfroFuture Detroit has teamed up with Delta Air Lines to offer exclusive airfare discounts for festival attendees flying into Detroit. Restrictions may apply.
Abdul expresses, "This isn't just a drop-in festival — it's an invitation to build. We're working hand-in-hand with Detroit leaders and creatives to make sure this experience reflects the soul of the city. It's about legacy, not just a weekend."
Get your tickets for AfroFuture Detroit here. The festival takes place August 16–17, with community activations beginning August 11 thru August 17th.