They really did it up BIG this year! I’ve been Afro Punking for a few years now….I wouldn’t call myself a huge supporter but been down with the cause and vision almost since day 1 which was 2001….I met James Spooner back then– I met Matthew Morgan and Shawn Peters a little later.

I must say- I think it’s incredible what they’ve done with the concept, the vision and the art. They’ve turned it in to a highly successful LIFESTYLE. Kids are buying into the brand. They’ve adopted the culture and they’re joining the network! Afro Punk

This year from what I heard- and believe me- I saw reviews and chatter EVERYWHERE- The films were great, and the music was KILLER. Over 40+ bands this year.

They were able to step it up and take Afro Punk to the next level in part because of 2 main sponsors this year. Thanks to Toyota and Mountain Dew, they were able to provide most the entertainment for FREE.

The Bloom Effect actually co-sponsored it last year!

My favorite part this year was the skateboard demos/ramps and BMX riders courtesy of Bulldog Bikes

I mainly hung out at BAM parking lot– 2 days. Saw some great bands. Met a crew of B-Boys couldn’t have been more than 15-17 who skated and danced- doing head spins, flips and grooves….We hung for a while- chatting about what teenagers talk about and interested in…..I even moshed with them at one point…

I met some skaters and BMX’ers…. I chatted with a couple skate dudes who were 14. Wow- they’re smart these days…They didn’t make them like that where I grew up. It’s the internet -dammit!

Anyway- I experienced some magical moments in the parking lot. The energy, the vibes, the people, the music, the painting on canvas, the overall artistic expression and culture that was all around me- quite honestly- I started tearing- tears of joy and freedom. The crowds were joyous and people seemed moved and happy.

I felt like a kid in a candy store and I felt like that 14 year old kid who’s parent had taken me to Afro Punk this day..

Bands who blew me away. Hollywood Holt from Chicago on Monday……Let’s Go To War from Toronto and Game Rebellion who I’ve seen a thousand times– I finally got to meet MO B- Mo Billionaire== He’s the Mayor of Chi-Town! Million Dollar Mano was dope too!

I missed ‘White Lies, Black Sheep’- one of most talked about during the festival! Kudos James Spooner!!

I’m also trying to track down the B-Boy crew- I thought it was B-Boy Rez Rock but I can’t find him….If anyone has info- hit me up!!!

I met a Yang Tai Chi dude too– cool cat…

I was trying to find footage or video from Afro Punk of Hollywood Holt but instead I found something from this year’s SXSW….Peep this…

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.