The Afro-Punk Festivals bring skate, bmx, music and art together in one exciting venue. I had the chance to meet up with this year’s artists – some of the biggest artists from the Brooklyn underground scene and …"ask them what their interests are, who they be with, things that make them smile, what numbers to dial”…(Biggie!). But really, read on as I rap with them about life, love, art and all things Afro-Punk.
This much genius in one place could disrupt the space/time continuum.Rob Fokused
Typography, lettering art, painting and prints.
He’s that dude who’s good looking – but not too pretty, way down-to-earth, and just mad cool, with a French bulldog named Hugo. How does he feel about being a part of the Afro-Punk Festival?
“It’s my second time being involved with something that’s such a huge event out of Brooklyn. I think it’s a beautiful thing because it lets people know that Brooklyn is still on top.”
Chicka chicka chicka spraaaay.
Coby Kennedy
Murals, illustrations, cars, video installations, graphic design, animation, interior design, fashion design
Well, they outlawed BMX on the ramps this year, but that’s not a bad thing. Coby Kennedy will have to focus his energy on other things…like painting! Yay!
When I asked him about the Afro-Punk festival he said, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s like at the end of The Dark Crystal when the Mystics and the Skeksis all came together and it was like Boom! And there was the convergence and the planets aligned. That’s what Afro-Punk every year is for me.
I would describe the Afro-Punk Festival as a gumbo and a mash-up of all things dope. The unifying element being that we’re all Afro.”
Coby had more to say, but he couldn’t put it into English words. I asked him to put it in Klingon, but that only brought back memories of when he dated that Klingon chick. “She kept head butting me! It was rough.” So you’ll have to come out and see for yourself.
jIyaj, Coby. qabang!
Lichiban
Portraits, murals, graphic design
Picture this: You’re hanging out on a rooftop in Brooklyn. It’s just you and some friends. There’s a knock on the rooftop door and you swear it’s your landlord coming to chase you off the roof and take all your beer. The door opens and up pops a fox head, followed by a pair of mischievous clear blue eyes. You’ve just encountered Lichiban.
I call it an encounter, because you don’t just meet someone like Lichiban. She’s an experience. You want to be a part of her world and bounce around Brooklyn dressed as your own personal power animal. She’ll be at the Afro-Punk Festival. Don’t be surprised if you have an inner evolution and leave wilder than you came.
“When I go to a show like Afro-Punk, there is so much energy being circulated and that is a collective healing experience and liberating. I think music is the most direct connection to our own emotions and to the cosmos. It’s pure vibration.”
See One
Menswear apparel, fashion illustrator, cartooning, tattoo, design layout, mural design
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He’s shown at Sole Foods NYC, Brothers Brooks Showroom, Wealthy Hostage, 2009 So Live Arts and Education, Gimmie Art, Antagonist Art, and the Nike World Tour. What can I say? The dude’s just dope. He collects money, t-shirts, comics and spray paint. He rocks a size 14 sneaker, so forget about gettin’ them through some skinny jeans. He’s getting ready to be the creative director of his own street wear label.
“I’m really excited. I love the Afro-Punk Festival! I’ve been involved with a few of their past events. They’re always really dope they have this ill independent vibe about them. Those are the homies! I’m really excited. I think it’s a great way to kick off the summertime. Personally, I can’t wait. I appreciate getting to spend this time around likeminded people, and getting to talk to them more and see what’s in their head. At least we’re all on the same wavelength and that’s the most important part.”
Love, BrooklynSlim
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