Afrobeats vs. Amapiano Takeover at Barclays Center
On Sunday, August 4, the plaza at Barclays Center echoed with the sounds of Afrobeats and Amapiano as the two genres took center stage at the third annual Africa Everything: Afrobeats vs. Amapiano Takeover. From 12:00 to 6:00 PM, music lovers, undeterred by the cloudy weather, gathered to experience the best of these vibrant genres. The event was free and open to all ages, and was more than just a musical showcase—it was a testament to the resilience and spirit of Brooklyn’s diverse community.
The Brooklyn Social Justice Fund
Amidst the performances, the event also highlighted the ongoing work of the Brooklyn Social Justice Fund (BSJF). I spoke with Gregg Bishop, Executive Director of BSJF, to discuss the organization’s mission and its impact in Brooklyn.
Roderick: Gregg, can you tell me about the Brooklyn Social Justice Fund and what drives its initiatives?
Gregg Bishop: The BSJF was launched in 2020 by the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation, during a time when there was a heightened spotlight on racial justice.
That year was a catalyst for us. Joe and Clara are also owners of the Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets, and New York Liberty teams. They made a $50 million commitment over ten years to help advance racial justice and economic mobility in Brooklyn.
Our mission is to create something meaningful that will support the economic recovery of Brooklyn, particularly in underserved communities.
Roderick: How do Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Liberty contribute to your mission?
Gregg Bishop: The involvement of the Barclays Center, Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Liberty is significant. However, the direct support of Joe and Clara Tsai, adds a tremendous amount of momentum and visibility. They aren’t just names on paper—they actively support our initiatives, that’s part of what makes this movement special.
Calling Teemanay
As the concert continued I went backstage and had the chance to speak with Teemanay, a rising Afrobeats star, about his music, career, and Afrobeats.
Roderick: Teemanay, how does it feel to be requested to perform at Afrobeats Vs. Amapiano for the third year?
Teemanay: It’s been an amazing journey. The first time I performed here, it was more of a tryout. Now, with the energy we’ve brought—even in the rain—it’s clear that people are excited about this music. I’m happy Barclays is excited to continue partnering with us, and we want this event to get even bigger.
Roderick: Your new single, “Call Me,” seems to be a crowd favorite and mine as well. What was it like to perform that song?
Teemanay: The response has been great, especially seeing it currently chart in the top 40 on the US Afrobeats Billboard chart. It’s a blessing.
Roderick: What’s your favorite part about performing?
Teemanay: I love so many aspects of performing, but I enjoy how completely free I am when I’m on stage.
As he answered my questions, Teemanay, a former track athlete who grew up between Delta State, Nigeria and London, England couldn’t help but keep an eye on his phone, watching the Olympics 100m dash.
“That’s my boy!” he said, as Noah Lyles won his first Olympics gold medal for the U.S. in the 100m dash.
Roderick: Afrobeats has gained significant popularity worldwide. What do you think is driving that?
Teemanay: Afrobeats is unifying. The music is happy and positive, and it brings people together. It’s not just a trend, it’s something deeper that connects people across cultures.
Opanka, His Music and Amapiano
The event wasn’t just about music; it was also a reminder of the broader social justice work taking place in Brooklyn. Opanka, a Ghanaian rapper and Afrobeats artist, famous for his hit songs like, “Wedding Car, shared his thoughts on the event and the importance of unity through music.
Roderick: Opanka, how has your experience been performing in Brooklyn, and what does this event mean to you?
Opanka: Performing in Brooklyn is special because of the connection with the audience. Even though I’m more recognized in Ghana, music is a universal language. Seeing people from different backgrounds enjoy the music is special. My goal is to reach new audiences and connect with them on a personal level.
Roderick: What’s upcoming for you that you’d like to share?
Opanka: My new single, “Falling” is coming out soon, I’m very excited about that.
Roderick: Amapiano is another genre gaining traction. Sometimes diaspora wars can erupt online—have you felt any hesitation jumping into Amapiano?
Opanka: Amapiano is just another way to connect with people. South Africans are Africans, and they are my people too. I’m going to embrace any genre that brings us together.
Africa Everything
The Africa Everything: Afrobeats vs. Amapiano event was curated by advocate, artist, and organizer Aisha Diori, who emphasized the importance of using these cultural moments to energize and empower the community.
Roderick: Aisha, what inspired you to bring all these artists together in this way, and why the focus on social justice?
Aisha Diori: After everything that happened in 2020, we felt it was crucial to empower not just the local community but also creatives across the diaspora. We’ve been involved in renovating schools in Ghana and Nigeria, and we’re focused on supporting Black-owned businesses. Events like this help build Black generational wealth and create connections between communities here and in Africa.
Roderick: What do you want people to take away from this event?
Aisha Diori: That we are unified—Black people are unified, and there are paths for you to build wealth.
The Afrobeats vs. Amapiano Takeover at Barclays Center was a powerful demonstration of the resilience and beauty of communities in Brooklyn. The work of the Brooklyn Social Justice Fund, along with the passion of organizers and artists like Aisha, Teemanay, and Opanka, is helping to create a path forward where music, culture, and activism intersect to create lasting change.
Author
Roderick Thomas is an NYC based writer filmmaker
