"Whether through literature, visual arts, music, or grassroots organizing, Afrofuturists redefine culture and notions of blackness for today and the future. Both an artistic aesthetic and a framework for critical theory, Afrofuturism combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, Afrocentricity, and magic realism with non-Western beliefs. In some cases, it’s a total reenvisioning of the past and speculation about the future rife with cultural critiques."
- Ytasha Womack, Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture
A Reimagining, A Reclaiming
What would the future look like for people of African descent without white or Western influence? What would modern society look like with that greater possibility? Afrofuturism transcends media in its manifestations, and had its roots as early as the 1960s with jazz musician Sun Ra's experimental performances and influential poetry.
With the opening of Black Panther, Janelle Monáe's newest contribution to the genre: Dirty Computer, and the announced adaptations of Octavia Butler's works, the cultural movement and aesthetic is undergoing a renaissance.
Black Magic
In 2015, the Corridor Gallery in New York featured an Afrofuturist exhibit curated by Niama Safia Sandy
Sandy was also interviewed for ThinkProgress
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is another icon bringing Afrofuturism into the mainstream. Below is one of her short films, Many Moons:
Helpful Links
- Vogue Coverage of the 2017 AfroPunk Fest
- AfroPunk Fest
- The artwork of Manzel Bowman
- Mark Dery's essay that coins the term
- A History of Female Afrofuturist Fashion by Laura Havlin
- Afrofuturist Influence on Afrosartorialism by Dr. Enrica Picarelli
- Afrofuturist Museum Mines Artifacts from the Future by Antwaun Sargent
In Sound
Included in Alyssa Mercante's visual guide to Afrofuturism is her curated playlist
Music Videos, Trailers, Clips
- Music VideosLaura Mvula, Erykah Badu, M.anifest, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, TLC, Missy Elliott, OutKast, Janelle Monáe, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Petite Noir, The Weeknd, Will Smith, Kanye West, The Black Eyed Peas, Parliament Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force, Flying Lotus, Shabazz Palaces, Aaliyah, Busta Rhymes, FKA twigs, IBAAKU, Bootsy Collins, Jojo Abot, Solange, George Clinton, Amii Stewart, 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre, Herbie Hancock, Billy Ocean, Princess Nokia, Wu-Tang Clan, Grace Jones, Lakeside, Tina Turner....
- Trailers and ClipsThe Carnival of Consciousness, BK3K, Sun Ra: Space is the Place, Pumzi, Brown Girl Begins, Bad Hair, RuPaul's Drag Race, The Last Angel of History, Afronauts, Sankofa, The Brother From Another Planet, Random Acts of Flyness, Black Panther....