AFTER a year of highs and countless mind-blowing moments, the World’s biggest Afrobeats festival returns to Portimão’ sun-kissed coast this summer. Taking place between June 28-30 2023, Afro Nation Portugal has announced the first batch of stars for the event.
Among an ever-impressive array of artists are global giant Burna Boy, US hip hop royalty 50 Cent and French-Senegalese rap sensation Booba. With even more still to come, tickets for Afro Nation’s flagship show will go on sale this Thursday, January 26 here (www.AfroNation.com) at 12pm GMT, with a limited pre-sale available from 9 am.
Having made a name for hosting all the hottest acts and future stars, whilst representing sounds from every corner of the African continent, Afro Nation Portugal 2023 changes the game again with global stars joining the movement from all around the globe. Uniting Africa with Europe, the US, Latin America and the Caribbean, it’s a coming together of cultures for the celebration of music, dancing and more – in one truly unmissable party.
Starting with so much new Nigerian talent, this year’s biggest breakthrough star, Asake, brings his vibrant brand of Lagos street pop to Portimão, Fireboy DML, who’s had an extraordinary run of chart success with smash hit Peru and a subsequent remix collaboration with Ed Sheeran. Ayra Starr’s rising profile can’t be ignored, with her Afrosoul style and intoxicating voice often found on tracks with Wizkid the star boy himself. She’ll make for a memorable moment at her Afro Nation debut this June.
Another momentous debut will come from French-Malian afro pop superstar Aya Nakamura. Known for her catalogue of hits like Djadja, Pookie, and Jolie Nana, as well as a number of high profile collaborations with the likes of Stormzy and Major Lazer. She’s also worked with the acclaimed South London rapper Ms Banks – who herself joins the bill, alongside fellow South London riser Gabzy, plus BNXN FKA BUJU, Tyla and more.
Showing a healthy mix of legendary acts sharing the stage with this year’s most exciting newcomers, The Compozers are back in 2023 to show us how it’s done, whilst Kenyan four-piece Sauti Sol add almost 20 years of Afro-pop credentials to the beach this summer.
No Afro Nation party would be complete without its pioneering Piano People stage, welcoming the hottest and most influential acts from the South African Amapiano scene. Again this year, Afro Nation Portugal strikes hard with the ultimate Amapiano supergroup Scorpion Kings, the famous twins Major League DJz and viral phenomenon Uncle Waffles, alongside Musa Keys, Young Stunna, Daliwonga, DBN GoGo, Vigro Deep, Moonchild Sanelly, Tyler ICU and many more. With all these DJs turning it up, this year’s Piano People party will be one for the books!
News for the flagship Portugal show follows the second edition of Afro Nation Ghana in 2022, which saw Meek Mill crown his momentous trip to Accra with a long-awaited headline set at the festival last December. Afro Nation’s exciting return to West Africa was a uniting moment for thousands of fans from the global diaspora, and marked a progressive new era of music and arts festivals in the region. So many incredible Ghanaian acts had their chance to shine in Accra, with Black Sherif – who stole the show with his rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ – Gyakie, Camidoh and more all now set to bring their best to Afro Nation Portugal 2023.
Afro Nation’s debut US show has also been announced. The Afro Nation Miami takes place on May 27 and 28, with a line up featuring Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, Beanie Man and many more. With the unstoppable rise of Afrobeats, the Afro Nation movement just keeps growing and evolving every year, with more parties keeping people dancing all year round!