Afrobeat fanatics, get ready because downtown Houston will be the epicenter of another new musical experience.
The first-ever Afrobeats In America Festival recently debuted at Discovery Green. Attendees say it was an event that bridges Africans and the diaspora through the universal language of music. It will feature 50 of Africa’s top music artists from Nigeria and the U.S., including the legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kelly Hansome, Emma Nyra, BILS, Young Paris, and more.
The festival is part of a series of events happening across the city. Festivities begin with the pre-event hosted at the Museum of Black Girls. The main event happened on Saturday, followed by an Afrobeats US-based party at Black Swan Night Club, concluding with a festival afterparty on Feb. 18 at the Le Meridian Rooftop in downtown.
The visionary behind the festival is Akpor Gbemre, the CEO of Epic Media and the festival’s executive producer. He is a veteran public relations and marketing strategist and storyteller who has pushed the Afrobeats genre of music well before its mainstream popularity. Gbemre aims to maintain Afrobeats in its global standing for years rather than becoming a passing trend.
“This festival concept is four years in the making,” he said. “I’m excited to make this an annual staple in the Houston area.”
The Defender spoke with Gbemre to share some insights on what people can look for ahead of the festival.
Defender: What inspired you to launch the Afrobeats In America festival, and what is its significance in promoting Afrobeats globally?
Akpor Gbemre: I’ve been in the Nigerian music industry for about 20 years. I’m one of the biggest promoters in the music industry. I’ve worked with almost all the big music talents. I’m one of the first to start promoting Afrobeats to what we see now. Afrobeats is growing fast here in America. We want to do something that celebrates the genre but also gives more spotlight and creates an institution around it so it can thrive properly in the U.S.
Defender: What led to choosing Discovery Green as the festival’s venue, and how will it contribute to its atmosphere?
Gbemre: This is a mainstream festival. We are taking it downtown because we are creating that standard. This isn’t a regular festival. It’s big. Discovery Green is unique, it’s family-friendly, and it’s a place where everyone can enjoy and attend.
Defender: As the founder and CEO of Epic Media, what influenced your interests in the music entertainment business?
Gbemre: It started back when I was at university in Nigeria. I published a campus magazine, which became very popular at the school. It made me a popular student at the time. I found myself aligned with that kind of work when I finished school. I met artists in the community, and most became stars later on. They called me to become their public relations officer and manager. My background was in media. In addition to this festival, we are putting together a documentary. The festival is just a segment of it. I have a passion for African music and Afrobeat music. It’s a big sector that could help Nigeria’s economy outside of oil and gas.
Defender: How does the festival aim to celebrate and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria on an international stage?
Gbemre: We are creating a market for artists. The headquarters of Afrobeats is in Nigeria. I want to focus on where I reside in the U.S. My mission right now is to help these artists who are based here. Outside of justBurnaboy, Davido, and Wizkid, massive talents also deserve their recognition. At one point in Nigeria, Afrobeats wasn’t making money. For example, any club you went to played foreign music, like 50 Cent. We must protect our local artists and honor the veteran artists who continue to produce music while cultivating the younger generation of performers.
Defender: What should festival attendees expect?
Gbemre: The event will run from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. We’ll have live performances, a fashion show, food, artwork, local vendors, plenty of activities, and more. We are in the business of showcasing talent. Tickets can be purchased online.
Defender: What do you hope festival attendees take away from this experience?
Gbemre: This is our story! Our time is now. We are making history. We want to encourage Africans to get out there and do something extraordinary. We are celebrating Black history. It just worked out that this festival is on Black History Month. Afrobeats came a long way. We created the legendary Fela Kuti, the pioneer of Afrobeat music. He came to America and was inspired by jazz, funk, and soul sounds. This feels like a full-circle moment to see the expansion of this genre in America. People should also be on the lookout for the documentary for this Afrobeats backstory. The festival is a segment of it. We can’t speak much about which major streaming platform it will be on, but stay tuned.
