Nigerian music superstar, Davido has organized a new music festival in Atlanta to celebrate African culture Called A.W.A.Y. (Are We African Yet).
The event was designed to bring African and American artists together and be a springboard for new collaborations.
The one-day event would be presented as an annual celebration of African music and culture in the diaspora, drawing big artists from Africa and the US while promoting partnerships among creatives.
Artists programmed for the event include Davido’s fellow Nigerian colleagues Kiz Daniel, Lojay, Oxlade, Wande Coal, Pheelz, Bnxn and Victony as well as South Africa’s Vocalist. More artists are expected to be announced in the coming days.
But Davido revealed this on social media. It reads; “A.W.A.Y Festival will promote and foster cultural exportation and collaboration between Africa and the world and there is no time like now.
“I can’t wait to have some of my friends from back home share the stage with my friends stateside as we promote the culture!
“Growing up, we were often made to feel unworthy as Africans, so many of us didn’t want to claim where we were from and in some cases denied our heritage. That’s not the case anymore, we are proud Africans, and we want to invite people to enjoy our culture – our music, food, and art. That’s what The A.W.A.Y Festival is all about.”
The maiden A.W.A.Y Festival will add to a growing roster of events designed to promote the Afrobeats genre such as Afro Nation and Afrochella.
Tickets will go on sale on 23 September.
Davido is widely regarded as the poster boy for Afrobeats, and told Rolling Stone in July: “Afrobeats is on the world stage right now. We’re trying to tap into every type of music, but predominantly African music.”
The musician, who was born in Atlanta, recently completed his We Rise by Lifting Others tour in the US and Canada, after surpassing 1 billion streams on Spotify in July.
This week, Davido walked the runway at New York Fashion Week after securing an ambassadorial deal with Puma in December.
Source: Music in Africa
