Where Culture Comes Alive: Mature at Detroit’s First Afro Future
Photo by Creativepearco
Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, stand up!
Whatever country, city, or neighborhood you represent, in the states or overseas, you saw that flag and culture represented at the first-ever Afro Future in Detroit, Michigan.
In a city that is already known for its trendsetting culture, fashion, and music, you can add this new festival to the list as another Detroit first that will go down in history. The first-ever Afro Future festival took place on the historic Bedrock Douglass site. It may have been arguably one of the first times Detroit got a taste of the truest and purest form of the motherland, but it certainly will not be the last time.
With two stages, performing acts were non-stop for the two-day festival. From local DJs such as DJ Jeanine Styles and Donovan Glover to headlining global acts like Davido and Kaytranada, a common thread through the festival was that community and culture collide here. Throughout the Douglass site, you spotted African attire, Caribbean flags, bright colors, jewelry, waist beads, traditional headdress, and streetwear fashion — the entire African diaspora was omnipresent.
Founders of the festival, Abdul Karim Abdullah and Kenny Agyapong Jr., discussed how the idea for the festival originated from a conversation in a living room, launched in Ghana, and was brought overseas to the United States. The sibling duo reflected on what this meant as two first-generation born Americans.
Night one was headlined by Nigerian singer Asake, who tore the house down. Before Waka Flocka Flame joined the mainstage and gave a special shoutout to the capital city, Lansing’s beloved restaurant ‘Crack Chicken.’
Night two included Haitian and Canadian music producer, Kaytranada, who just released his fifth studio album, ‘Ain’t No Damn Way.’ Mature Magazine caught up with Detroit-born and bred artist, DJ Jasmine ‘Jeanine Styles,’ who was proud to represent her city on this historic stage. After finishing an electrifying set, Styles spoke to Mature and discussed what this moment meant for her career. A few months prior, she left her corporate job working as a DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging) for Universal Music and prior to that she worked in ad sales at Spotify.
This season, she is taking the leap into DJ’ing full time and pursuing her passions. “This felt like a pivotal moment,” said Styles. “This is one for the city. I think the expectation put on Detroit post Afro Future…it’s up from here.” Styles also manifested to Mature her aspirations to perform on the Coachella stage in the near future.
Afro Future Detroit was more than a festival — it was a true celebration of heritage, creativity, and community. From the flags in the crowd to the music that shook the Douglass site, every moment showed the power of the diaspora coming together. And as the weekend came to a close, one thing was clear: this is just the start of a legacy that will keep shaping Detroit’s culture.
Photo’s captured by Creativepearco