October 30, 2025
As Afro Nation celebrates its fifth anniversary, the beloved Afrobeats and global Black music festival brand plans a unique experience across two venues over three days that will provide an intimate connection between artists and fans.
Critical praise:
Featured on CNN
Published in New Yorker magazine
“With past events in Ghana and Puerto Rico, Afro Nation has earned acclaim as the world’s largest festival centered around Afrobeats music.” – Billboard
“History is sure to be made when one of the blackest cities in America hosts an international Afrobeats festival.” – Essence
“Detroit is the Afro Nation… Afro Nation is more than just a two-day music festival. It’s more than just a gathering of Africans, Americans and others in the city to have a good time and good vibes. It’s an unapologetically black mecca that spotlights not just music but unity and community.” – Detroit Metro Times
“Afro Nation Festival made its vibrant stateside debut in Miami over Memorial Day weekend, held at the 40,000-capacity Lawndepot Park (formerly Marlins Park). With Burna Boy headlining the first day and Wizkid taking the stage on the second, Afro Nation Miami had an unmistakable African essence, blending Afrobeats, Amapiano and reggae.” – variety
“The festival promises to deliver an impressive lineup of today’s hottest artists from Africa and the diaspora.” – Yahoo!
announcement:
Afro Nation, which celebrates black music and culture from around the world with must-see events in Europe, Africa, the United States, and Puerto Rico, is gearing up for one of its most unique weekends yet. This November, as the brand celebrates its fifth anniversary, Afro Nation returns to the Caribbean with the first edition of Afro Nation Punta Cana, a multi-day experience in the Dominican Republic, featuring performances by A-list artists including headliners Sexyy Red and DJ Maphorisa at venues around the seaside resort town. Afro Nation Punta Cana has announced the addition of Afrobeats legend Olamide as their new headliner (replacing Ira Starr, who was unable to perform due to scheduling conflicts). In addition, Afro Nation Punta Cana offers day tickets for travelers who want more flexibility in the action. You can purchase a 1-day ticket here
Today, Afro Nation announces its official daily lineup, unveils the weekend’s action-packed schedule and reveals which artists will perform at which of the festival’s three unique venues. On Thursday, November 6th, Afro Nation will host “Afro Wave,” Afro Nation Punta Cana’s official welcome party at El Dorado Waterpark. The next day, the music starts and Afro Nation gathers at Pearl Beach Club for two nights of dancing on two stages. On November 7, Olamide will take to the stage with support from Sharipop, Odele and Lofnan, while Walshy Fire will lead the dance party on stage two. November 8th brings you a sizzling night filled with songs from headliner Sexy Red, with support from Luger and Molly. TxC will lead the DJ lineup on Stage 2, and on the final day of the festival, Afro Nation will once again take over El Dorado Waterpark, creating a festival-like atmosphere within the park grounds and ending the festival on a dance-filled high note with frenetic performances from DJ Maphorisa, Ferro Le Tee, and Love Bones.
With a number of partner resorts creating a seamless experience, Afro Nation Punta Cana is your one-way ticket to paradise with beautiful fall music and great weather. The first in a series of events that Afro Nation hopes to grow over the years, Afro Nation Punta Cana provides an intimate connection between artists and fans, creating an incredible destination for fans to enjoy their favorite artists up close. This multi-day experience begins in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from November 7th to 9th.
For the inaugural edition of Afro Nation Punta Cana, the festival will partner with Hot 97, New York’s iconic hip-hop and urban music station, and Trace, the leading multimedia and digital platform dedicated to Afro-urban music and culture, to provide a digital festival experience for fans who cannot travel to the Dominican Republic. Hot 97 and Trace immerse fans deep into the action with exclusive behind-the-scenes and interviews, daily highlights and recaps, and digital-first content. Stay tuned for more information about Afro Nation Punta Cana’s partnership with Hot 97 and Trace in the coming weeks.
Afro Nation Punta Cana continues the Afro Nation tradition of producing high-profile events in diverse locations around the world. With a reputation as the world’s largest Afrobeats festival, Afro Nation has hosted events in Portugal, Ghana, and Puerto Rico, and produced U.S. festivals in Miami and Detroit. Last year, Afro Nation hosted Afro Nation Detroit 2024, bringing in stars like Lil Wayne, Asake, and Rema to tear up the historic music city.
Afro Nation is dedicated to providing a global platform for the music of Africa and its diaspora. Additionally, Afro Nation hosts a weekly UK Afrobeats Charts show in partnership with BBC Radio 1xtra and the Official Charts Company, and in 2022 partnered with Billboard to launch the first US Afrobeats Charts.
With many more milestones to pass and many unforgettable sets planned in the near future, Afro Nation Punta Cana is poised to spotlight some of the most exciting artists in music today.
Buy tickets at puntacana.afronation.com
Read Afro Nation’s statement on Ira Starr here
Stay tuned to Afro Nation US’s Instagram for updates.
Please contact Michelle or Kevin for more information.
background:
Launched in 2019 to rave reviews by Nigerian creative industry entrepreneurs Obi Ashika and Sumade, Afro Nation is the world’s largest Afrobeats festival and is rapidly expanding its global cultural influence. The brand created buzz with events in Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Ghana, organizing events that unite the diaspora and bring culturally significant music to underserved audiences. Past artists include Burna Boy, Davido, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz, and more. In 2023, Afro Nation held its first two festivals in the United States. Burna Boy and Wizkid headlined Afro Nation Miami in May, and Burna Boy and Davido headlined Afro Nation Detroit in August. Afro Nation Detroit, a festival of African and global black music in one of the world’s oldest music cities, returns in August 2024.
link:
Website | Twitter | Instagram
For more information, visit afronation.com and puntacana.afronation.com.
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