Afropunk Festival 2014: Lianne La Havas, Alice Smith, Loaf Muzik, Shabazz Palaces, & more

Afropunk celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and the 2014 festival’s massive lineup reflects years of hard work and careful curation. From punk to soul to hip-hop, the diverse acts this year offer festival-goers tons to choose from. Taking place in Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, Afropunk Festival is a response to how African-American culture is portrayed in the mainstream. As such, it seeks to celebrate black alternative music and art with 60 acts over 2 days.

Soulful crooners like Valerie June, Alice Smith, Kandace Spring, and Lianne La Havas played to packed crowds on the lawn of Commodore Barry Park while hardcore bands like HO99O9, CIPHER, and BABY BABY encouraged moshing. L.A. trio clipping. performed their remix of Alt-J’s “Hunger of the Pine” and Shabazz Palaces were just plain magical. BLXPLTN kicked it up several notches and put the PUNK in Afropunk. Hip-hop collective Loaf Muzik brought crazy energy to a rain-soaked crowd.