VIBES AT LOST IN RIDDIM
Music has an undeniable power to unite people. Lost In Riddim, the new Afrobeats and Dancehall music festival hosted in Sacramento, California, was a brilliant exhibition of how rhythm and beats transform into a language, understood and embraced by many. Founded by Jehu Manny Hunter and Fornati Kumeh, the two day event brought top-charting African artists to the lime light, staging a bright environment for people to relish being outside.
Having the pride and excitement of Nigerian Independence Day the day prior, the music festival was already fueled with so much excitement and celebration. The pre-party the night before the festival gates opened, set the hype for the vibes that weekend, where attendees got a chance to mingle and match impressive legwork skills. This energy trickled into the opening day, where thousands of people traveled to groove to live performances from Africa’s favorite artists.
Global headliners Wizkid and Burna Boy brought electrifying energies to the stage, where they had fans screaming along to their old and new hits. Rema gave an impressive and pulsating performance, his enthusiasm radiating through the waves of hands that bounced in sync to his songs. Alt musician Amaarae graced the stage with melodies so sweet, several guests who had not heard her music were quickly adding her hits to their playlists. To see R&B artist Rotimi pour out his energy despite spending that morning in the emergency room, only proved how dedicated he was to contribute to the joy that filled the venue- evidently so as guests cheered him on to sing more, which he did. Tems surprised her audience by delivering an angelic performance with Wizkid, singing their worldwide hit “Essense”, making it the first time the two performed the song live together. Tiwa Savage, the hit singer/ songwriter behind “Somebody’s Son” rattled the emotions of several with her smooth sound, where some were seen to shed a tear or two as she sang about finding love and the peace that follows it. South African twin brothers Bandile and Banele Mbere, better known as their stage name Major League DJz, kept everyone’s energy levels peaked throughout the afternoon, mixing Amapiano with American Hip-Hop.
The term “Afrobeats” has been coined to umbrella a diverse genre of music. Being at this festival, the vast subbranches of that genre were given their recognition. From R&B and Hip-Hop, to rap and house music, these genres were meshed together with beats forming unique sounds, identified as Afrobeats. How different African countries have curated their own fresh sound, while maintaining a beat that people can still two step to (or if you're a more advanced dancer, Azonto or Gbeku to), is just one of the many reasons why Afrobeats continues to cross borders, rapidly becoming more popular.
It could’ve been the sweltering afternoon heat in Sac, or the sheer joy that we would be blessed by the vocals of Wizkid, but everyone attending the festival had a glistening glow to their face. Seeing friends wave their nation’s flags in unison as they formed dance circles, reminded me that this festival was merely about music- it was a celebration of culture and the various facets of the diaspora. It made me appreciate the differences each African country has: our flags are different, our languages are different, our food is different… yet when Premier Gauo is blasted through the speakers, each and every one of us bolts to the dance floor singing or mumbling along. We are able to share experiences, relating to stories and journeys. It made the world feel so much more intimate to see a group of people enjoy themselves in the same space. There was almost a care free spirit in the air, where people felt comfortable to be who they were… “unapologeticlly Black and African” as one of my friends described it.
Our culture outside of music was even more showcased and put in the spotlight, as it should. Several attendees came dressed in their national wear, or accents they felt represented their country. Face paint, feathers, glitter, bold colors, batik fabrics… it was interesting to see how small details held so much value to some people. There were a few food vendors that sold African cuisine: jollof and goat curry, rice and beans, puff-puff and a few other dishes were available, which many guests appreciated. Some festival goers craved dishes from home, and tasting food that was so similar to that flavor, satisfied their homesickness. Even more beautiful to witness was friends who had not been in each other’s company for years, finally reuniting at this massive party. The ambiance of speaking to and dancing with strangers at the festival grounds felt so familiar, bringing back memories of house parties and weddings we’d attend at home.
Being it was the inaugural festival, there were some issues many attendees complained about. The first hiccup being food and water shortages. Lines for the limited food vendors were exhaustingly long, forcing guests to miss performances as they waited for something to eat. Towards the end of the evening there was a shortage of both food and water, which became frustrating. The issues with the sound system during some performances left many guests irritated. We saw Goldlink abruptly leave the stage after a short performance as he could not hear himself. Similarly, Wizkid had troubles with the volume levels during his set, having Big Wiz and his fans annoyed. Also noted was the lax security that was sparsely scattered throughout the venue. A random stampede during the evening, left those in close proximity frightened and alarmed, a situation which could have been avoided if there were more security guards to enforce safety and control. The barricade that separated the VIP from the GA served as a mild barrier as guests nonchalantly veered security to get closer to the front. The cancelation of anticipated artists WSTRN, Fireboy DML, Johnny Drille and Ladipoe, together with the no show from Koffee had guests disappointed as they were eager to watch them perform. The organizers were able to address these issues on the second day, bringing out more food vendors and water stations to remedy the opening day’s problem. Tekno, Mannywellz and Shareen Amour were able to fill in for the cancelled artists, delivering just as impressive performances. There was an increase in security as well, allowing the festival to shine on as intended.
Witnessing the impact Afrobeats has had on not only the African continent, but how it has warmed the hearts (and feet) of the globe, made me even more proud to be Malawian. It was more than a showcase of music, it was a glimpse of the vast impact our continent has had on the world. Leaving the festival, I felt the urge and duty to share more about my country and continent. Further educating myself and others on the history behind the great nations that make up this continent I call home, has become an important priority and goal that aligns with my creative character. This festival has reminded me of the importance of telling and sharing African stories from their own perspective, which I will continue to support and work towards.
Till next year, Lost In Riddim!