Africa Unity Festival, October at The Africa Center in Harlem

Nkumu Katalay and band performing at the African Unity Festival, October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Harlem.

It was a beautiful day to be African in NewYork City as the community came together to celebrate itself. The Festival touched upon the diversity of African music, dance, cuisine and community. Organizers, African Unity Parade said: “It will celebrate of our shared heritage and the vibrant diversity of African cultures. Attendees can look forward to an array of activities, including live performances from renowned artists, delicious food stalls featuring authentic African cuisine, engaging talks, and opportunities to connect with community members.”

Shizem, a singer from Nigeria improvising dance steps with New York based Congolese musicians (L-R) Julian Apter, guitar; Obed Natham Mbassi (Obedashure) keyboards; Eduardo K. Tekadiomona (MrTeka) drums; Emmanuel Etoumou Oddet (Emma) bass at the African Unity Festival

It was certainly a celebration, bringing together African immigrants and New York based artists from across the continent. Headliners included Shizem (Nigeria), Hooxx(Zambia), Fadí (Niger) Nkumu Katalay (Congo), Tapani Demba (Mali), Vmega (Nigeria), Les Gazelles Africaines 2 (Multinational Dance Group), Sondi Broadway (South Africa), and Gugu Makhari (South Africa)

Nkumu Katalay was the headliner. Nkumu filters Congolese Rumba/Soukous traditions through his contemporary vision. The music, which he calls, Rumbian Funk is peppered with funk, Afro-Cuban jazz and other influences.

A Multi-instrumentalist and bandleader he has an encyclopedic repertoire to draw on, making each performance unique to the configuration he shares the stage with so be ready for suprises.

Shizem performing at the African Unty Festival, with Julian Apter, left,guitar; and Emmanuel Etoumou, bas;; October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Harlem.

Shizem performed on the heels of his new release "Tease". The singer, born in Lagos, now based in the US thrilled the audience as a leader with his voice and presence, and backed by Congolese musicians he proved he can improvise on the spot swinging from Afrobeat to Soukous. He started out as a backup singer/dancer for Nigerian singers Sound Sultan and Weird MC and has since released a string of singles that have made him a rising star in Afropop pop circles.

Fadí, a singer/songwriter and poet from Niger performing songs from “Sarauniya” her debut album at the African Unity Festival October, 19th 2024

Fadí endeared herself to the African Unity audience with two songs from her debut album. She is a relatively new voice here, seemingly emerging out of thin air to make “Afrobeat” fans rethink the genre. Who is this young female phenom?. Fadí moved to New York from Niger in 2011, She considers herself a poet first and made music for fun until her first release sung in Zarma, her dialect, went number one in Niger. Today the multilingual artist is captivating New York listeners with "Sarauniya" her first album just lanched in August.  It’s a fabulous collection of songs, over intriguing beats sung in English, French and Zarma.

DJ Mpiloz, from Kwazulu Natal in South Africa will perform at the Africa Unity Festival

Gugu Makhari, center, leading audience members through some dance steps at the African Unity Festival, October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Marlem.

Nkumu Katalay performing at the African Unity Festival. Octobe r19th, 2024

Len Ojiogu, Host and President of the African Unity Parade and NYC African Council introducing Fadí at the festival. There was unity in the air as artists responded to calls from the community

 
Vusi Sondiyazi, from the broadway show The Lion King performing at the African Unty Festival, October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Harlem.

Vusi Sondiyazi, from the broadway show The Lion King performing at the African Unty Festival, October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Harlem.

Broadway legend Vusi Sondiyazi, from the show “The Lion King” responded to the community call for African Unity, performing at the Festival, October, 19th 2024 at the Africa Center in Harlem. He also joined Gugu Makhali dancing with audience members, later. The African Community came together from all aspects of life here to celebrate togetherness and shared experiences.

Shizem performing at the African Unity Festival, October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Harlem.

DJ Birane, from Abidjan, has been spinning in New York clubs and at African parties for well over a decade, his steady flow keeping listeners grooving to Coupé Décalé, Burna Boy, Fally Ipupa and the latest sounds from the continent.

Sample: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VarvGH5q5LA

Tapani Demba is a traditional singer from Mali, a Djeli, who performs at Malian community events here in New York City where she now resides.

Hooxx is a Zambian born New Yorker, whose latest release is "Hold Me Down", a riveting duet with Couffe Beane. We hear R&B seasoned lyrics rapped over pungent Afrobeats: "Betcha you never find another like me yet, my African vibes make you get up and sweat". His EP "Africanos Awakened" is in the works and will include appearances from Dreshie Maine and J-Songz.

Fadí performing at the African Unty Festival, October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Harlem.

Fadí, poet and recording artist from Niger at the Africa Unity Festival

Presented by the The African Unity Parade, Inc. in collaboration with the New York City African Council and The Africa Center. Contact: Email: africanunityparadeinnewyorkinc@gmail.com

Prince Crown performing at the African Unlty Festival, October 19th 2024, at the Africa Center in Harlem.