2023-09-05 17:34:11
The fourth edition of Afrobrix, the first Italian festival dedicated to Afro descent, is scheduled for 8 to 10 September at the Comboni Center in Brescia. Music, culture, art and cinema to enhance all Afro-descendant and Afro-European realities starting from the socio-cultural context in which they live. Afrobrix’s mission aims on the one hand to develop multiculturalism, understood as multiple cultural and identity belonging, on the other to promote inclusion and interaction between the 2G communities and the citizens of Brescia. Afrobrix expresses the beauty and importance of African descent as a heterogeneous, multifaceted and complex social component, as a force capable of enriching and transforming culture, art and societies as a whole.
Opens the 2023 edition of Afrobrix, the alternative rap formation Death of Autotune. Born in 2018 with the album ‘Intro’ to its credit, it is led by the Ghanaian-born singer Mr RowBrown. With him Lyo (guitar), Benzo (drums) and Nicolas Lecchi (bass/sax). I follow the 8 emerging bands selected by the Afrobrix staff. From Brescia the hip-hop of Marco Verzeletti aka Chainsaw, from Turin the pop-afrobeat of Youri Nganseu better known as Ngkm, followed by the rock of Brescia’s Tunes Slippers and the pop of Umberto Trotta, from Verona the pop of the musician Susanni Hernandéz aka Susanni, the afrobeat of Bigbang Bishanya stage name of Aristide Uwizeye, from Treviso David Blessed with his afrobeat project Bles King and the Brescian pop musician Frastuono.
The three judges who will evaluate the proposals of the emerging artists this year will be the Brescian singer of Senegalese origins Awa Sané, the Veronese music manager of Ghanaian origins Baisel Kodjo and the Brescian rapper of Nigerian origins Tommy Kuti. They have the task of evaluating the 8 artists who performed during the Friday evening to decide the winner. Four bands are the protagonists of the Saturday evening. It starts with the CousCous at Breakfast, a band led by the singer of Mozambican origins Wilma Fatima Matsombe. Dance and pop sounds with jazz and r’n’b influences, with sound elements between the Mediterranean and Africa. The band also includes Antonio Casalino (drums), Mattia Mennella (guitar/synth), Gioele Cangini (guitar) and Giacomo Cortesi (bass/synth). The Sienese singer, but of Cameroonian origins Lüzai, will then take the stage. Musician who aims at an artistic dimension with an international scope, as demonstrated by the different neo-soul and electronic nuances at the basis of her proposal. In her texts, positive messages, of inclusion, of reconnection with one’s roots.
It will then be the turn of Heartman, a rapper from Brescia of Ivorian origins who alternates introspective texts with melancholy flavored storytelling. A soft and melodic voice, which leans on a production signed by Lie O’Neill tells the reality that surrounds him, made of misery and joys, winding roads and broken hearts. The Couleurs d’Afrique closes, a project from Brescia that has its roots between Senegal and Gambia. Combo that unites musicians united by a passion for traditional African music. The band consists of Haruna Kuyateh (vocals/kora), Moussa Ngom (guitar/vocals), Ibra Guisse (percussions), Marco Malpelo (sax), Tresor Samba (guitar) and Papa Camera (percussions). Sunday on stage the Afro-Brazilians Pretobras. The musical encounter between Thiago Sun, rhythmist from Recife and Fernando Brito, guitarist and singer from Sao Paolo. The project revisits classics and lesser-known songs by authors such as Luiz Melodia, Marku Ribas, Djavan, Gilberto Gil, Tim Maia, Luiz Gonzaga, Itamar Assumpçao, Dona Ivone Lara and Olodum among others.
The evening continues with the Congolese Lokito! A musical adventure which, retracing the history of the Congolese rumba, traces its coordinates and routes from one side of the Atlantic to the other, weaving such unexpected plots. On stage Donat Munzila (guitar/vocals), Benj Benji (vocals/percussion), Agbeko (guitar), Richard Tchatcho (bass) and Kader Diop (drums). The event will close with the performance of the winning artist of the Afrobrix Contest. All performances will be anticipated and concluded by DJ sets with the best selections of reggae, electro, afrobeat, hip-hop and much more. During the event there will be numerous food and wine stands with agricultural products from Africa grown in the area, typical Eritrean, Ethiopian, Ivorian, Burkinabé and Ghanaian cuisine. And also female ethnic accessories, clothes, shoes and bags in wax (the typical African cotton fabric with bright colors and numerous patterns), but also essential oils, shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter.
Every evening, during the shows, a moment will be dedicated where Afro descendants can get involved and read their poems into the microphone on the Afrobrix stage. The event is organized by the Comboni Missionaries – Nigrizia Foundation in collaboration with the Migrant Center Association – Diocese of Brescia, Collettivo Uno, the Altree Association and with the collaboration of the Municipality of Brescia, with the support of the Cariplo Foundation, ASM, the Brescia Community Foundation, the Museke and Migrant Center Association. Afrobrix is also in partnership with the IFF (Integration Film Festival) of Bergamo to celebrate Brescia-Bergamo Capitals of Culture. The appointment with Afrobrix will continue from 10 to 12 November with the Afrobrix Film Festival.
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