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Afropunk
invited M.I.A. to perform, a decision disappointing many
3:10 PMAfropunk, what are you doing?
The festival started in 2005 in Brooklyn, New York, and featured black acts that didn’t necessarily fit the mold of “urban,” but were certainly popular enough to draw large crowds. The event held a special place in the black community as a haven for weird, in a certain sense, without all of the pejorative stigmas that come with that word.
So, when M.I.A. was announced as the headliner of the inaugural show in London, things went sideways. If you don’t recall, M.I.A., who very much considers herself a part of the hip-hop community, decided to take what many have called an anti-black stance regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically regarding Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime show.
“It’s interesting that in America the problem you’re allowed to talk about is Black Lives Matter … Is Beyoncé or Kendrick Lamar going to say Muslim Lives Matter? Or Syrian Lives Matter? Or this kid in Pakistan matters? That’s a more interesting question,” she said.
So, having her headlining Afropunk is obviously a problem. People reacted accordingly, and then the festival brass got weird. They defended her.
A message about AFROPUNK LONDON pic.twitter.com/Tg4YqAzMmY
— AFROPUNK (@afropunk) June 23, 2016
OK, well, actually … no.
an anti-black artist to perform at a festival meant to empower black people, which is the most foolish thing ive heard of @afropunk
— Tracy Boomeisha-Ann Clayton (@brokeymcpoverty) June 23, 2016
Afropunk's statement on MIA is so disappointing. It completely ignores how the festival has become a safe space for Black people.
— Seve Chambers (@SeveChambers) June 23, 2016
afropunk must have already paid MIA and can't afford or can get a replacement
— Steph BMore (@StephBMore) June 23, 2016
In an awkward about-face, M.I.A. then said that she won’t be performing there after all, because according to her, she’s been told to stay in her lane. Then, Azealia Banks defended her as well.
https://twitter.com/MIAuniverse/status/744964018239078400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Bottom line: None of this is a good look. This year’s show is scheduled for Aug. 27-28.