No Lil’ Wayne, No Problem, as 16,000 People Vibe Out at Afro Nation Detroit

Detroit was charged with something electric this past weekend, August 17-18—like the city itself was breathing in rhythm with the beats that flowed through it, rain or shine. You couldn’t escape the feeling that this was more than a festival—it was a homecoming, a revival of spirit that ran deeper than the music. Afro Nation Detroit 2024 didn’t just bring people together for a good time; it was a celebration of culture, a reclaiming of our story, and a testament to the undeniable reach of Blackness across the globe. Each moment, each movement, wasn’t just about catching a vibe—it was about reconnecting with who we are, where we come from, and doing it with a pride that could be felt in every corner of the city. Afro Nation returned for its second year in Detroit, held once again at Bedrock’s Douglass Site—the historic grounds that once housed the Brewster-Douglass Projects. The location, once home to Black legends like Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson, stood as a living testament to the resilience and talent of Detroit’s Black community. It made perfect sense that the world’s largest Afrobeats festival would choose this sacred ground to continue its mission: bringing the beauty and...