Adrian Blake
"This is my natural style -- I'm a bohemian kind of guy. [I'm excited to say] Lenny Kravitz -- he's my idol. I remember seeing one of his videos when I was twelve and I was like, 'You can be black and do rock 'n roll?' He changed my life."
Adia Victoria
"I believe it's impossible to embody AFROPUNK [but] everybody is here and experiencing it and we're all contributing to this one, weird amalgamation of awesomeness. My tribute to Sandra Bland [during my performance] as a black woman was stating, 'You know what? I'm not safe.' I felt that everything that was happening with police brutality couldn't happen to me because I was a 'good girl' that's as beautiful and articulate as Sandra Bland and they snuffed her out. I like like now nobody is safe. Your skin makes you a target and I felt like I needed to bare witness to what's happening and I need everyone [to do so], too. I believe we can put a stop to this if we speak of truth and power so I felt compelled to speak her name."
Dariell Leak
"My normal look is very punk and pink. I hate anything that's normal. I'm constantly going against the grain and since I work in a corporate job, I'm constantly fighting to be myself."
Em
“You are speaking with Em, nothing but a gem. Let me tell y’all, get them M’s. I’m here to represent. Shout out to all the people black with melanin, because they’re here, and not to pretend. I write a lot of poetry. AFROPUNK is a beautiful collage of different shades of beautiful black women, and black men...For my outfit, I wanted a black-out outfit to represent all of the beautiful souls that are here, that has melanin. Shout out to all the Queens, no matter what shade you be. I’m here because I’m a witness and I see."
Jillian Green
"I embody AFROPUNK because I fit in here, but I am an outsider.”
Ro Yoon
"This is my first year, and I traveled from Seattle just to see Grace Jones. I am really upset I missed out on her performance and Cakes Da Killa’s performance last night at the Fancy Dress ball. My outfit was implemented by the heat, but its ethereal, and fun! I embody AFROPUNK because it’s so inclusive, but it’s amazing to be here as a trans person and support trans issues.”
Joelle Jean-Fontaine
"My outfit came from how I dress day-to-day. I always mix feminine silhouettes with a twist of tomboy-ish style."
Pierre Bagwell-Green
"My look was inspired by Egyptian art and history."
Qutress Trevino
"I traveled all the way from Chicago for AFROPUNK but I like to look at it as Afro-Futurism -- not AFROPUNK. I feel like a lion -- someone told me I look like Scar from the Lion King."
Shanique Johnson
"I feel Afro-centric by sporting a dashiki-inspired top and bottom and tribal face paint."
Tinajah Davis
"This is a place where I can actually come and fit in since I grew up not really knowing where to go. My outfit was inspired by Erykah Badu as I grew up listening to her."
Ryan Drake and Alex Brooklyn
"We're trying to hear some good music, soak up all this melanin richness and beauty...We hope Lenny's pants rip again!"
Ian Isaiah
"I am AFROPUNK. I am glad there is finally a title for who I am and what I stand for. It’s not just about being black, but also being any ethnicity and just embracing it. The inspiration for today’s outfit is Lenny Kravitz, as he is playing tonight. I am sporting a thigh high boot which is dedicated to Lenny Kravitz, because I believe in Lenny Kravitz and I believe in his crotch."
Sembene McFarland
"AFROPUNK is self-acceptance and celebrating who I am, it’s a coming home or meet in the middle, a place where I can come and breathe and enjoy other peoples presence while they bask in being themselves."
DJ Kitty Cash
"The detail on my booty is a sticker that says 'Very Black' I just love what it says and what it stands for.”
Keite Young
"I'm from Fort Worth, Texas...my crew and I were pulled by AFROPUNK and had to attend. I perform so my outfit is what I can be found usually wearing. It's Ethiopian wedding garb and a fellow Ethiopian recognized it!"
Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones
A dancer during Grace Jones set
Grace Jones and a dancer
Grace Jones
